Respect for a Woman’s Decisions and Her Right to Say No Is Essential: Dr Neelam Gorhe

Pune, October 24, 2026: Deep-rooted beliefs and stereotypes that perpetuate gender discrimination across generations must be consciously unlearned to make feminism a reality, said noted author and conference president Dr Chhaya Mahajan. She stressed that fundamental changes in the mindsets of both men and women are essential to translate gender equality into everyday practice.

Welcoming the participants, Dr Neelam Gorhe emphasised the need to build a society that provides women with the freedom to express their experiences and respects their decisions, including their right to say no.

They were speaking at the inaugural session of the 14th Feminist Literature Conference, organised as part of the 99 Prelude Literary Meets being held in connection with the centenary celebrations of the Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan. The event was held on Saturday at the K. B. Joshi Auditorium of Maharshi Karve Stree Shikshan Samstha in Karvenagar, Pune.

The conference was jointly organised by the Maharashtra Sahitya Parishad, Samarth Yuva Foundation, the Marathi Language Department of the Maharashtra Government and the Stree Aadhaar Kendra.

Noted author Mangala Godbole, writer and poet Mallika Amar Shaikh, and Maharashtra Sahitya Parishad president Yogesh Soman also shared their views during the inaugural session.

The event witnessed participation from at least seven districts, including Pune, Mumbai, Satara, Sangli, Solapur, Beed and Nagpur. Representatives from Baramati, Indapur, Shirur, Rajgurunagar-Khed, Morgaon, Islampur and Pandharpur also attended. Literature enthusiasts from several parts of Pune, along with students from Garware College, participated in the conference. Women, writers, social activists and researchers came together to discuss women’s experiences and literary expression.

Dr Chhaya Mahajan said that while women are often glorified as goddesses, society must examine whether they are accorded dignity as individuals, equal status and participation in decision-making in their everyday lives. She cautioned that women’s rights should not be curtailed in the name of protection.

Girls in rural areas continue to face challenges such as long distances to educational institutions, safety concerns and social restrictions. Keeping girls confined to their homes cannot be the solution, she said.

Criticising the tendency to judge a woman’s character solely through the lens of sexuality, Mahajan said society must change its attitude towards survivors of sexual violence. Women who have experienced abuse should not be blamed or pushed to the margins of society.

She also stressed the need for men to share domestic responsibilities in practice, so that future generations can grow up in an environment of equality. Merely teaching equality is not enough; deeply ingrained discriminatory attitudes must also be unlearned. She called for literary platforms to provide space not only to women but also to diverse sections of society that have traditionally been marginalised.

In her welcome address, Shiv Sena leader, Member of the Maharashtra Legislative Council and former Deputy Chairperson Dr Neelam Gorhe presented a broader perspective on feminism. Gender equality, she said, is not about revenge but about ensuring every individual’s right to live with dignity and express their views freely.

Although women have made significant progress in education, sports and various professions, harassment, discrimination and the tendency to overlook their achievements continue to persist. Society must recognise that when a woman says no, her decision must be respected, Gorhe said.