Women's March for Change taken out

Hyderabad: In Telangana, the proportion of women in agriculture as cultivators are 36% and women working as agricultural laborers are 57% and yet their invisibility due to lack of recognition. The government must recognize women as farmers. Also, give special support to the women farmers from suicide-affected farmer families.

Addressing this issue the women's organisations and women's rights activist of Hyderabad organised a meeting on the theme 'Women March for Change' at Sundarayya Vignaana Kendram, Bagh Lingampally on Thursday. As part of the programme, a conference was held, followed by a signature.

Speaking on the event, Sumitra, founder member of Ankuram Women and Child Development said that a special joint session of the parliament must be convened to discuss the situation of women farmers across India, and also towards their recognition, rights, and entitlements as farmers.

K Satyavathi, founder of Bumika magazine, said women that they were being marginalised in the political spaces, especially within legislative bodies at the national and state levels, in spite of the 73rd and 74th amendments facilitate women political participation.

She further said that the long-pending Women's Reservation Bill in the parliament should be passed to enhance women political agency and empowerment as well as enabling their participation and influence in policy making and decision making at various levels. After the meeting, various women organisations participated in the rally to urge for their rights.

The organisers said that it was being organised against the violence and hatred in the society and anti-poor financial policies of the governments. It is time people gatherdto fight against casteism, communalism and divisive forces and use vote as weapon against such forces, they said. Attacks against the freedom of expression had a huge impact on all, especially women.

Noting that the people such as GouriLankesh had to sacrifice their lives fighting against violation of fundamental rights, they said it was time women stood up unitedly against oppression.

They urged the state and the central governments to take necessary steps to minimise the gender inequities and atrocities against women, which have reached to dangerous levels. As part of the programme, women marches would be held in cities, towns and mandal headquarters. Women associations across Telangana and women activists participated in the march.

The women organisations in Telangana took part in the meeting were Amanvedika, APSA, Ankuram, AIDWA, Bhumika, CWC, CCC, Gramya Resource Centre for Women, LIGHT, MAKAAM, MSI, MVR Foundation, POW, PRARAVE, Pearls 4 Development, Phoenix Women collective, Shaheen Women Welfare Association, SWARD, Telangana Hijra Intersex Transgender Samithi (THITS), Telangana Domestic Workers Union.