Pune Women stage Dharna on Intl. Womens Day 2007

International Women's Day, celebrated internationally on 8 March every year for over thirty years now, this year focused on the theme "Ending Impunity for Violence against Women." The Day highlighted the fact that securing peace and social progress and the full enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms require the active participation, equality and development of women; and to acknowledge the contribution of women to the strengthening of international peace and security.

This year fifteen left and progressive womens groups in Pune district staged a five hour Dharna at the Pune Collectorate near the Pune Railway Station. The issues they discussed were: the Khairlanji killings, violence against women including domestic violence, sexual abuse at work place, dowry, unorganised women workers and uniform issue of Nurses among others. Young women from Daund taluka staged a street play and other womens groups sang revolutionary songs.

Delia Maria, Maria aunty and Sheila participated in the 8th March dharna and held banners supporting our Muslim sisters in the middle east facing years of imperialist war. “War murders women” were one of the slogans FOGM’s banner read. Mr. Amiri from NAMIR also attended with his Iranian comrades and distributed handbills giving details of how Iranian women are suffering under the Islamic regime in their country.

In Indiranagar slum on Airport Road, over 30 women had an annual day celebration to commemorate womens day and to congratulate ten neo-literate women of their vasti who had undergone a year’s literacy class programme sponsored and co-ordinated by the FOGM. Delia Maria, Thangamma, and Maria Aunty were the volunteers in the programme. Nirmala was the regular adult educator.