Professor Sudha Chaudhary, state Secretary of All India Progressive Women’s Association initiated the discussion on the occasion of International Women’s Day at Bohra Youth Community hall. Udaipur. She said that despite untiring efforts at all levels the shackles of women are still stiff.

Noted Urdu Poet and activist Abid Hussain Adeeb said that the Bohra Youth movement, which fought a tough battle against the fundamentalist forces could succeed only because of active participation of women. Dr Sarvat Khan, celebrated novelist and short story writer in Urdu called upon women to learn to write their experiences and thoughts. She said that only the written word will survive the ravages of time.

Himmat Seth, senior journalist and founder of Samta Samvad Manch invited the participants to join the Manch and unite for fight against fascist and patriarchal forces. Prof. Minakshi Jain, HOD, English Department, M.L.Sukhadia University said that education is necessary for the empowerment of women. Prof. Chandalia, who is also the co-convener of the Jantantrik Vichar Manch said that issues of working class are common between men and women. There is a need to fight a united battle for basic requirements like water, employment, electricity etc. He said that in case of any emergency, war, flood, cold, heat or disease women of the family are worst sufferers.

He demanded that potable water supply provided by the PHED department should be made available every day to the citizens of the town. He said that water is a basic amenity, which should be available to all citizens at an appropriate time. He asked why water is not supplied daily when the lakes are full. Poet and satirist Mushtaque Chanchal read out his poems related to the issues faced by women in the society. Prof. Zenab Banu , retired Professor of Political Science, M.L.Sukhadia University said that women’s contribution to the economy is never counted.

If the domestic work is evaluated in financial terms the contribution of women would be around 7% of the GDP. She was felicitated by Anjuman Taraqqi Urdu for her contribution to the world of letters. More than a hundred working women from the slums of the town participated in the programme. The special feature of the programme was that every participant was given an opportunity to speak. The programme was very poetically convened by Dr. Farhat Banu, former Professor of Botany and member of the Central Committee of the CPI(ML). At the end of the programme a symbolic Holi of forces against the freedom of women was burnt outside the hall and slogans of women’s unity were raised.