Bihar
Patna: Patna Unit of the All India Progressive Women’s Association (AIPWA) organised a march raising the slogan ‘half of the humanity is crying out for – security, dignity and freedom’, ‘stop violence against women’, ‘long live IWD’ etc. The rally that started from Station Buddha Park turned into a meeting upon arriving at Kargil Chowk. The meeting was addressed by AIPWA General Secretary Comrade Meena Tiwari who said that the women will not be treated equally until the society respects their freedom. Girls or women have as much right to decide their life as do the men. This awareness needs to be spread more. For a dignified life for women it is crucial that the govt not only takes responsibility for their safety, but also their health, better opportunities of education and employment, etc. National VP of AIPWA and ex-dean of Patna University, Bharti S Kumar, recounting the historical context of the IWD expressed the need to spread the battle of women’s liberation in the context of today to the broadest possible section of women.
Other speakers exposed the anti-women face of the Nitish Govt citing the big time encouragement to booze, one of many regressive steps.
Bhagalpur: AIPWA organised a women’s assertion march in the city from the Railway Station traversing through several prominent place in the town before reaching DC office. Meetings were held before the march and post it. A 8-point memorandum was given to the DC office. Among other demands the memorandum demands setting up of fast track courts for speedy trials in rape cases. The march was led by AIPWA President Comrade Saroj Chaubey, AIPWA’s District Convenor Renu Mandal, co-convenor Kanchan Devi, Manorma Devi, Sumitra Devi and others.
Uttar Pradesh
Deoria: Hundreds of women under the banner of AIPWA marched in Deoria on 8th March. Rally was led by AIPWA’s National VP Comrade Premlata Pandey, State Secretary Geeta Pandey, and other AIPWA leaders and activists. Rally started from the AIPWA office and passed through several places of the town. Addressing the meeting Premlata Pandey said that in last five years political parties did a circus in the name of passing Women’s Reservation Bill and it couldn’t become an Act. Regrettably in the coming election too it is not an issue for most of the parties. Geeta Pandey said that no matter what sweet talks SP, BSP, Congress and BJP indulge in, in the name of women’s security, the fact is that crimes against women in UP has risen sharply. Successive governments in the State have not even ensured jobs to rural women under the NREGA.
Mirzapur: About 300 women participated in the IWD march in Lalganj tehsil demanding end of violence and abuse of women. March was led by Jeera Bharti, Shyamkali, Saroja, Suresh Kol, RS Yadav and Dhanraji Devi. 50 women marched in Madihan from main market to tehsil HQ led by AIPWA leader Comrade Shanti.
Lakhimpur: A rally comprising 225 women was held at Lakhimpur town led by Comrade Krishna Adhikari. The march started from the Railway Station and ended at Nasruddin Bhawan. At Nihasan tehsil, the IWD march was held on 7th March. 150 women participated in the march led by Comrade Krishna Adhikari and AIPWA District Secretary Tapeswari Devi. In Palia tehsil a meeting was held. They were raising slogans ‘forward with the struggle for fearless freedom’ and ‘stop the cutting away of land’.
Pilibhit: March started from AIPWA office and went to District HQ led by AIPWA State Joint Secretary Rama Gairola. In Sitapur about 150 women started their marched from AIPWA office led by Comrade Sarojini and Archana.
Bareilly: A seminar was organised by AIPWA. Shalini Bajpai conducted the proceedings.
