09 Sep 09 Mothers-in-law band together to fight ‘cruel’ stereotype

Written by Gulf Times

New Delhi : Hundreds of mothers-in-law have come together to form an organisation to fight harassment and abuse by their sons’ wives, news reports said yesterday. Between 500 and 700 women from across India launched the All-India Mothers-in-Law Protection Forum (AIMPF) in Bangalore on Sunday, local newspapers reported yesterday.
The organisation will be supported by the Save India Family Foundation, a non-governmental agency set up recently for husbands who allege harassment by their wives, the Times of India newspaper reported.
The new group will work to break the “cruel woman” stereotype reinforced by Indian TV soap operas and demand protection against torture and abuse by daughters-in-law.
AIMPF members include forensic experts, lawyers, doctors, teachers, other professionals and housewives.
“It has been statistically established that mothers-in-law are unnecessarily maligned and subjected to judgmental attitudes by society. On television, we are shown as vamps, while in reality we are the victims,” said coordinator Neena Dhulia.
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