“Defend Women’s Democratic
Rights”
International Women’s Day 2018
As we
celebrate International Women’s Day we take stock of our conditions at present
and the host of challenges confronting us.
In
India we are facing an all out attack on our rights, not only as women and
citizens, but most crucially, on the Indian Constitution itself, by the ruling party.
Our rights were won with the active participation of women, along with workers,
peasants, students, toiling people and other sections in the anti –colonial
struggle for freedom, in pre Independence times. The struggles have continued
and have intensified, in the past twenty five years, during which period our
rights have been eroded by the pursuit of neoliberal policies adopted by
successive governments at the centre.
Women
are being recast in the traditional roles of wives and mothers, while their
economic and social contribution is being suppressed by the right wing forces. Even
as wives and mothers they are denied rights, domestic violence is on the
increase and sex selective abortions continue unabated. Violence against women
and children has been increasing steeply with scant regard for the right of
women to a safe environment at work, in public spaces and in the domestic
sphere. In the discussion of violence against women patriarchal minded people
often argue that ‘women shall not go out late’, ‘shall not wear such clothes’
etc always putting the blame on the victim.
Women
cannot face these attacks, cannot gain equality without economic security. This
is the cornerstone of our struggle for progress and emancipation. But it is
this very crucial economic security which is under severe attack, by the
corporates and their cronies in government, in a crisis ridden capitalist
system. In India the changes in labour
laws have reversed the gains made through decades of struggle by the working
class and the rights of women workers have been curtailed, all in the name of
“Ease of doing business”. The Union Budget 2018-19 is another illustration of
pandering to the corporates under a veil of populist slogans.
It is
equally important to fight the patriarchal ideology and expose them to defend
our democratic rights as citizens.
All
over the world, in many countries, right wing forces and regimes are rearing
their ugly heads, but at the same time the resistance to them from the working
people is also growing apace. There are anti imperialist struggles taking place
in different countries. We stand firmly
in solidarity with the struggles of women and people for their democratic
rights, the world over.
This
past year has witnessed unprecedented, huge struggles of scheme workers,
workers and employees, farmers and the peasantry, in our country, of which we
have been a part. Some demands have been achieved but there are many more to be
won.
It is
important to assert the equal democratic rights of the women and girls at every
field. Resistance at all levels shall be developed against the patriarchy and
politics of hatred to defend the unity of the people. It is important to bring
to focus, the real issues of the people.
We
pledge to continue our efforts to unite the widest sections of women and the
working people in our own country for even bigger and wider struggles.
We
reiterate our commitment to continue our fight until we achieve our goal of
emancipation and a society free from exploitation, carrying on the glorious
traditions of International Women’s Day.
Long Live International Womens Day!
Long Live Working Class Unity!
M. Krishnan R. Seethalakshmi Usha
Bonepalli
Secretary General Convenor, Chairperson
Confederation Women’s Sub Committee Women’s Sub Committee
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