Women Commission of the Central Board of Dawoodi Bohra Community (Youth), Peoples Union of Civil Liberty, Astha Sansthan, Mahila Atyachaar Virodhi Manch, Rajasthan Pragatisheel Mahila Federation, Akhil Bhartiya Pragatisheel Sangathan and Vikalp Sansthan-all based at Udaipur- jointly organized a seminar at Bohra Youth Community Centre on 07^th March 2013. The topic of discussion was “Mahila Hinsa: Chunautiyan evam Upai (Violence against Women: Challenges and Remedial Measures)”.

The Function was chaired by Ved Vyas, eminent scholar and President Rajasthan Sahitya Academy Jaipur. A large numbers of people-men, women, young and old-attended the discussions packing the hall to its capacity.

Addressing the audience Vimla Bhandari maintained that a patriarchic pattern of thinking is responsible mostly for any type of violence against women and solutions should accordingly have to be devised to eradicate this phenomenon.

Presenting her views Chandra Bhandari suggested a balance approach so as to take the grievances of other members of society irrespective of gender issue like we should talk of a widower also when we talk about a widow.

Advocate Arun Vyas elaborated on the deficiencies of systems-both in polity as well as in religious norms- along with importance of laws by giving examples.

Usha from Vikalp and Mah Jabeen revealed their youthful enthusiasm for effecting change in mindset. Mansoor Commander mentioned that their exists an opinion in some of the law makers that in such campaigns for women there is a sort of urban-rural disconnect and such campaigns are elitist in nature.

It is because of this mindset that the Women Reservation bill is pending for a very long time. He opined that there is a need to eradicate this impression.

Others who spoke on the subject and suggested their remedial measures included Gini Srivastava, M L Sighvi, Dr Sudha Chaudhary, Ritu Matharu and others.

Delivering his presidential address Ved Vyas opined that post Indian Independence, Indian society has not yet come out of its internal grips and called for a sustained and vociferous struggle. He also mentioned that no political party in fact is ready to empower women and hence the Bill for their Reservation in legislatures is being kept pending.

Presenting vote of thanks Abid Adeeb gave credit to women of his community for keeping the torch of progressive movement alight.

Dr Zainab Banu conducted the proceedings along with her own presentation.

History and Background of International Women’s Day

Women’s struggles for Equal Rights, Rights to Suffrage and Rights to Hold Public Offices have been a Socialist legacy. Initiated by a small group of committed women it is suggested that it snowballed into observation of the first national Women’s Day on 28^th February 1909 in The United States on the declaration made by the Socialist Party of America. Enthused by the response received, March 08, 1917 became the First recognized day for celebrating International Women’s Day. And the call of The United Nations Organisation subsequently in 1977 resulted its observation in the whole of West as well as the World every year on March 08. The Day’s focus although changes from region to region, mainly its observation revolves around expression of respect and appreciation of the role, women play in social life as well as to celebrate their achievements in the social, economic and political spheres. It is also an occasion to express loves to them like the ones on International Mothers Day. The UN gives a theme each year for the Day. For instance the theme for the year 2012 Was “Empower Rural Women: End Povert and Hunger”. The theme for 2013 is “A Promise is a Promise: Time for Action to End Violence Against Women”. Thousands of programmes are held throughout the world in different forms and ways and more and more men are joining with women the world over.