Dear Sisters and friends,

I. “SWARAJ” for Women has become a central issue in today’s context of Violence and exploitation faced by millions of Women in India. 17th Loksabha(Parliamentary) Elections have been announced. Still we as women are at the fringes of our society facing inequality at all levels, denial of development justice and equal participation of women in Power, Perpetuation of Violence Against Women, Discrimination Against Women on the basis of Religion, Caste, Sexuality, Age, Economic status or disability, continued conflicts and genocides in our times. There is so much of despair, deprivation, discrimination surrounding the life of majority of our Women and the marginalized.

Let’s hope our struggles and positive intervention can bring about Transformatory changes that we want.
Let us transform our Pains into Power!

From this morning, I’ve heard Wishes from Friends, relatives and close circles wishing me “Happy Women’s Day”, one after the other I’ve responded to them back that this day is commemorated globally to mark “Struggle & Freedom for Women”.

II. Let’s invite the Political parties to commit to women on this day,

(1) To end the culture of gender based discrimination and violence and zero tolerance to moral policing by state / non-state actors.

(2) Make laws accountable for in attaining justice for all women, at all levels, in all walks of life.

(3) We want women to acquire position of Power to Panchayat / Wards to Parliament.

(4) Education towards Equality, Justice and freedom for Women.

(5) Ensure Speedy justice in cases of Caste and Communal Carnages and racial discrimination against communities and extend comprehensive services and development support to the survivors of violent crimes.

There is an urgent need for Indian Feminist discourse to turn towards a vision for Emancipation of Indian Women which will free them from the bondage of Patriarchy, Caste and class. This is a huge challenge not only for feminists but also for all others who stand for realizing liberty, equality and fraternity in India not only in legal and formal sense but in substantive forms in every day’s life.

I close with Wishes and in Solidarity by saying

“Women’s day can be special only when
Women and Girls are safe, secure and self-reliant”

Ruth Manorama,
Women’s Voice / National Federation of Dalit Women.

 

                                                                                      8th March 2014