Every year, DSS celebrates International Women’s Day. Historically, International Women’s Day is traceable to the struggles of working-class women against oppressive working hours and for their right to decent working conditions and gender equality. But, over a time this is forgotten and International Women’s Day is celebrated as if it is a day for the women to rejoice in conducting womanly events. In the official and political circles this is celebrated without any gender sensitivity and in a way to reinforce the gender stereotypes. In contrast to this, DSS takes this opportunity to rekindle the spirit of International Women’s Day. DSS, which has been seriously working against all forms of violence against women and girls and facilitating the empowerment of dalit/Adivasi women and girl children, celebrates International Women’s Day on a theme relevant to the working-class women. Now, world over and in our country, material conditions are taking the toll of women and girls on the one side, on the other side, fundamentalist ideology is attacking the very idea of women’s rights and her equality. Women, particularly, the women of marginalized castes are denied their equitable share in economic and natural resources. Hence it is necessary to sensitize the concerned women and everyone on the need for an inclusive growth strategy. In this context, DSS selected the theme “Women Empowerment is Nation’s Progress” for this year’s International Women’s Day.
On 12/03/2024, Dalit Sthree Sakthi (DSS) conducted International Women’s Day on the theme 'Women Empowerment is Nation's Progress', at Ambekar Resource Centre, Lakadika Pool, Hyderabad. Ms. Jhansi Geddam, National Convener of DSS presided over the function. Other hon'ble guests that spoke on the occasion were: Dr. Jaya Latha, Director, MNJ Cancer Hospital, Dr. Pushpa Chakrapani, Academic Director, Ambedkar open University, Ms. Usha Seethalakshmi, Researcher & Member, MAKAAM, Sri B Manikyam, Deputy Engineer, TS TRANSCO, Dr. Padmakar, Director, Apollo Hospitals, Sri Sobha, Lecturer, Govt Junior College, Hyderabad.
Along with these guests of honor many representatives of CSOs and activists participated in the conference making it successful. DSS staff and State WCs coordinated the conduct of the Conference.
Jhansi Geddam: International Women’s Day signifies the victory of struggles of working-class women and not capitalist class. The role of women is very less in the entrepreneurial sector which is the main reason for underdevelopment of the society. Neighboring countries like China, Japan and Singapore which share a similar culture like India are far more advanced and developed as the role of women in all the sectors is prominent and is encouraged. For the empowerment of women and to establish a better society, education to women is a prime aspect. The role of mother is a important to educate and impart knowledge to the children who are future citizens of our country.
Ms. Pushpa Chakrapani: She appreciated DSS for its continuous education of dalit women on their rights. I am part of DSS activities. She paid rich tributes to the contribution of Dr.B.R. Ambedkar, Jyothi Rao Phule and other social reformers. She reminded that this year theme of International Women’s Day is “Invest in Women and Accelerate Nations Progress”. Investing on women means encouraging woman in aspects like education, economic, employment.
I emphasize on education as the basis of all further development. Education is important and by education I don’t mean only degrees, but acquiring knowledge. If there is knowledge one can question discrimination and oppression and go ahead in achieving economic independence. B.R. Ambedkar also stressed on women’s education. He fought for the rights of all women not just for dalits. He tried for the liberation of women through legal reforms and when vested interests opposed the bill, he resigned. Providing proper infrastructure by the State is necessary for accessibility to women education, but we should encourage the education of our girls despite the lack of proper support from the State.
Dr. Padmakar: When our father passed away when we are at our young age, our mother and elder sister brought us all up. Thus, it was women who were able to bring up our family. Our mother sent us to government schools and colleges and could educate us. She was able to educate my younger sister as doctor and now she is director of famous cancer hospital. My daughter who is educated is able to question and discriminate between good and bad. My sister is discharging serving to her best. She could get robotic services in the government hospital. Children with disease are paid good attention towards treatment, education and play while undergoing treatment. It is women who are able to serve the society and for this reason I suggest women’s reservation should be 50%. I assure all help with regard to your health problems and assure you free medical services.
Book Launching: Telugu version of POCSO Act translated and published as a booklet by DSS was inaugurated by Dr. Jaya Latha and Prof. Pushpa Chakrapani.
Dr. Jaya Latha: I am grateful for inviting me to participate in international women’s day. I appreciate DSS for providing a platform to discuss on women empowerment. This year’s theme is to inspire inclusion. So far only a small section of women were involved in the empowerment process and economic process. The UN gave call to inspire every woman to participate in all aspects of
woman development. Health of women is important for the family. We should pay attention to health and regular check-ups. Prevalence of Cervical Cancer is nearly 22% in our country. Recently, vaccine has come to prevent cervical cancer. This vaccination is to be given to girls between 9 to 18 years. We should educate and support each other. We should be able to have goals and work hard towards the goal. We should be firm and face all odds. Education is important to achieve anything. Only with education we will get clarity of thought and knowledge of various opportunities. I assure you all help with regard to all aspects of health and you are free to contact us. We will send medical professionals if you conduct health camps.
Ms. Usha Seethalakshmi: I am grateful to DSS for giving me the opportunity to share my views on the occasion of International Women’s Day. I work on the issues of women in the field of agriculture and their problems. We usually think of men when we mention agriculture. We assume that men are only farmer.
Government also considers as farmers only those in whose names the land is registered, but not to those who actually cultivate the land. Most men don’t contribute their earnings to the family. Mostly it is consumed on liquor and other expenses. Empowerment means various aspects like education, health, right to inheritance of equal share in property, decision making power in the family, capacity to spend our earnings etc. While the government is claiming that it has provided house to all, but the fact is that there are many women who don’t own a house. It is estimated that more than 30 lakhs don’t own a decent house and it is necessary to have the title of the house in the name of women. Similarly, the educational levels of women are still low. Though the government claims 58% of women are educated, the real fact is that they only know to sign, which also is forgotten by a large number of women. Likewise, 60% of women have health problems of anemia, 30% have B.P. and quite a number of them are having diabetes also. In villages there is a trend of men not working at all and it is the women who are doing all types of labor and maintaining the family. There is no sufficient work and this is creating tensions among the women. Much of the agriculture is done by women but they are not recognized as farmers as the lands are registered in the name of men. Another sad development is that the land that was distributed long back is taken away by the government for establishing various projects. Thus, the actual scenario is that women are suffering on all fronts, without work, health, house, land, education etc. There is no peace in the house and unfortunately, single women headed families are increasing in an alarming rate. Many men are either dying due to drinking, accidents or deserting the women resulting in increase of single women families. When we think of empowerment, we should think of all these aspects and we should work to rectify and transform this scenario.
Sri. B. Manikyam: It is necessary to educate everyone on gender equality and see that in practice, gender equality is practiced in the family. Now there is lot of gender discrimination within the family. Girl children are discriminated in all aspects within the family. Women have no role in decision making process in the family. It is fundamental to recognize that if 50% of women are
denied their role in development process, the nation’s progress will be thwarted to that extent. When society was not concerned with the progress of women and the society itself was not conscious of women’s rights, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar fought for the rights of women and tried his best to introduced Hindu Code to confer rights on women. We should be united and be aware of gender equity and go ahead so that one day we can really be empowered.
Sri. Sobha: I appreciate DSS for the relevant theme selected for International Women’s Day and for celebrating the day with dalit/Adivasi women. The gap between theory and practice with regard to implementation of gender consciousness should be eradicated. All men speak about women’s rights but women within the family are kept behind. Even today, if a female child is born, there is disillusionment and disappointment. This type of attitude has not changed yet. Though education is important, acquiring knowledge is more important. It is necessary for everyone to realize the status of women and the ways to transform it. We should bring up our girl children with courage and capacities to struggle against all types of oppression. Mother should take up the responsibility to educate the girls about abuse, good touch, bad touch and the ways to combat any form of abuse. We should shed the old model of raising the girl children as timid, shy and submissive women. We should train them to protect themselves.
Unity is important. In the society there is a saying that large number of men stand united but if three women assemble, they quarrel among themselves There is a tendency among women to talk bad and silly things about other women. We should grow above this silly way of life and pay attention to learning and awareness. First, we should gain knowledge about all these aspects and socialize our children and we should spread gender awareness in the society.
Sri. Sanker from SC, ST Welfare Association: Women should come out of homes and should be involved in serious work. In the government offices also, we notice that women work more seriously than men. The present reservation for women is also done in a half-hearted way.
Sri. Narasing Rao from SC, ST Federation: DSS is seriously working for the empowerment of dalit/Adivasi women. There are attempts by certain political parties to rewrite the constitution with fundamentalist ideology and abolish all the rights of the people. I call upon the women to come forward to protect the constitution.
Sri. Vinod, Ambedkar’s Statue Protection Committee: I am associated with DSS for the past 16 years and I have learnt a lot from the organization. One should remember that Dr. B.R. Ambedkar said that a nation’s progress should be assessed on the basis of the progress of the women of that nation. I know DSS addressed many issues of atrocities and helped many victims in accessing justice.
DSS state and district coordinators, Women Collective Leaders and members actively coordinated and participated in the meeting.
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