Empowerment of women in political spheres can not only help the women face their problems but also can promote world peace. If women were leading the ruling parties in Russia and Ukraine perhaps the war could be avoided.

This was stated by Prof. Sudha Chaudhary, National Vice President, All India Progressive Women’s Association. She was addressing the conference of women on the eve of international women’s day jointly organized by AIPWA, AIDWA, Mahila Atyachar Virodhi Manch, Vikalp Sansthan, Bohra Youth Women’s Wing, Muslim Mahasabha Women’s Wing, NFIW and PUCL at the Bar of District Court, Udaipur.

She said that the day is celebrated to commemorate the sacrifice of women fighting for reduced hours of work and right to vote. She appealed the women to unite for their fight against patriarchy, exploitation and discrimination. State President of the women’s wing of Muslim Mahasangh, renowned Urdu novelist and academic Dr. Sarvat Khan said that in the present political regime at the center  the right wing fascist forces have become very powerful, which has had a negative impact on the democratic rights of women like what to wear and whom to marry.

Comrade Ganpat Devi of All India Democratic Women’s Association said that the BJP government has made policies which are anti workers, anti-farmers and anti women. Crimes against women like rape and murder have increased and BJP has defended its leaders involved in such crimes. Comrade Leela Devi Sharma, National Vice President of All India Federation of Democratic Women said that women are facing great difficulty in rural areas where people have lost employment and agriculture has become non-viable due to policies of the governments. She said that when there is a price hike, women are the worst sufferers.

Sadhana Meena , office bearer of NFIW described the role of her organization in the villages of Girwa Tehsil and invited all to visit those villages to express solidarity with women struggling there. Dr. Hina Khan of Women Wing of Muslim Mahasangh said that only that society is strong where women are empowered.

Convener of Jantantrik Vichar Manch Prof. Hemendra Chandalia expressed his solidarity with the women’s organizations and said that the world needs a revolution once again to restore the rights attained with historic struggles of the working classes and women. He said that women should develop political consciousness and actively engage in struggle against suppression of all sorts.

Dr. Shahid Iqbal Sheikh, Associate Professor of Sociology said that a place  where mothers, sisters, daughters in law are given respect is true heaven. Haji Mohammad Baksh of Muslim Mahasangh in his address advocated the liberation of women from age old traditions and customs which obstructed their progress. The meeting was ably convened by Usha Chaudhary of Vikalp Sansthan.

On this occasion those women who had come out of difficult circumstances and shown a path to other women were felicitated by the guests and office bearers of AIPWA and Vilalp Sansthan. They include Munni Bai and Shakeela( AIPWA), Hamida Bano and Dr. Hina Khan ( Muslim Mahasangh), Kanku Yadav, Ambavi Bai, Mangudi Bai, Meena Khatik, Anita Sen and Shamima Bano ( Mahila Atyachar Virodhi Manch).At the end of the programme a rally was taken out which marched to Ambedkar circle, Shastri Circle and finally ended at Delhi Gate with the formation of Human Chain to express solidarity with the women’s struggle all over the world. Slogans like “Mahila Ekta Zindabad” , “ Inquilab Zindabad”, “Phool Nahi chingari hain, Hum Bharat Ki Naari Hain.”