A woman is the pivot of the family: Queenie Singh

“This initiative by DNA to have a marathon and donate the money generated to causes that concern women is a great move. I would love to support a cause like this in whatever way possible because I strongly believe that women in our country need to get more aware about education, health and their rights,” says jewellery designer Queenie Singh about the Stayfree <i>DNA</i> I Can Women’s Half Marathon.

“A couple of days back, I read a report that had a study that concluded that India as a country was the worst place for a girl child. I was heartbroken when I read that. It was disappointing to read that our country, where women, who are the pivot of a family, take the entire responsibility of running a household and having a career have to go through abusive behaviour. They are treated unequally and it is high time, they learn to stand up for themselves,” she says, adding that the issues stem from the fact that women are not given equal opportunities to get education.

“Female infanticide is prevalent because women have no knowledge of what is right and wrong for them. This marathon is a great way to reach out to those women and create awareness,” she adds.

Public safety, she says is of extreme importance, especially in a city like ours. “I am glad age-old customs like Sati have been done away with. Dowry is another evil we have to get rid of from our society. If the women in the country are not treated right, irrespective of the economy booming and making progress in various fields, our country cannot improve. Issues like these are very close to my heart. It is time really that women understand the power within them and stop living with any kind of inequality meted out to them,” she said.