Trinco Inner Wheel Club assists widows

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 14 March 2006, 09:43 GMT]
Trincomalee Inner Wheel Club has provided livelihood assistance to nine widows in the suburbs of Trincomalee town. Of them four lost their husbands in violence and others due to natural causes. Last year a group of widows in Muttur and Mallikaitivu received the assistance under this project, sources said. The Medical Institute of Tamils located in South Thames Region in London funded this project for the third year.

At an event held by the Trincomalee Inner Wheel Club held Sunday evening at the Trincomalee Rotary House to mark the International Women's Day, the Club President Ms Rajeevi Vigneswaran handed over a sewing machine to one widow. Ms. Kafeela Anas, Attorney-at-Law from Trincomalee Legal Aid Centre, who participated as the chief guest handed over ten thousand rupees each to other widows, sources said.

Ms Kafeela Anas said, though law protects rights of women, in practice abuse against them is continuing at various levels. More women should be elected to parliament to ensure their rights are protected by legislature. Women bring more foreign exchange than men to the country by working as housemaids abroad, working in garment countries and plucking tea in hill country. More than half the population of the country and in the public and private sector institutions are women, she added.

Ms Rathy Sivapalan, President-elect of the Club introduced the chief guest to the audience. Ms Rajeevi Vigneswaran presided. Mr.Jeeno Singarayer, Trincomalee Rotary Club President also spoke. Mr.Ranji Thirumugam, past Past President of the Club, proposed vote of thanks.