A hundred years of struggle: achievements and challenges

March 8, International Women’s Day was celebrated with great enthusiasm this year, the beginning of the centenary year of this historic occasion. Toiling and oppressed women all over the country celebrated hundred years of the struggle that began when Clara Zetkin and other women of the Socialist International launched their struggle against capitalism. They celebrated the struggles of women for their liberation over the last hundred years, and took stock of the challenge facing them today, the struggle to end capitalist exploitation and establish socialism and communism.

In the capital city of Delhi, hundreds of women marched from Town Hall in the heart of the old city to Ajmeri Gate, on March 6. Amidst a sea of red flags, with placards highlighting their demands, they raised slogans denouncing the government of the capitalists, which they held responsible for the present grave economic crisis. They raised slogans calling for an end to the attacks and humiliation that women face and demanded that the government provide livelihood and security to the masses of toiling women and men, instead of safeguarding the profits of the big capitalists.

This demonstration was jointly organised by CWDA, FORCES, NFIW, Janwadi Mahila Samiti, Purogami Mahila Sangathan, JWP, Mai ka angan, Nirmala Niketan, YWCA, Swastika Mahila Samiti and others. At Ajmeri Gate, the demonstration culminated in a rally. As the women gathered around the colourful stage that had been erected, representatives of the participating organisations addressed the gathering. They called upon the women to unite and come forward to defeat the attacks on their livelihood and rights. Women from several of the participating organisations sang songs in honour of the fighting women, expressing their resolve to take the struggle ahead. The representative of Purogami Mahila Sangathan raised the slogan ‘Shasan satta apne haath, julm anyaya karein samapth!’ (let us fight for political power in our hands, to end this oppression and injustice!), amidst much applause.

In Delhi, several women’s organisations, mass organisations and individuals came together to form the ‘Centenary Committee to celebrate International Women’s Day’. The committee includes AIPWA, AISA, CADAM, Centre for Struggling Women, Committee Against Violence on Women (CAVOW), Dalit Lekhak Manch, Democratic Students Union (DSU), Disha Chhatra Sangathan, Forum for Democratic Struggle, Gatividhi, Jagori, Krantikari Yuv Sanghatan, New Socialist Initiative, Nirantar, Pragatisheel Mahila Manch, Progressive Students Union (PSU), Purogami Mahila Sangathan, Saheli, Sangat, Stree Adhikar Sangathan, Stree Mukti League, and various other individuals.

At a press conference on March 7, they announced the formation of the committee and declared that throughout the year a series of programs – meetings, cultural activities, public manifestations, etc. -- would be organised among the women in the slums, industrial areas, factories, colleges, residential areas and work places. While the representatives of CAVOW and Saheli introduced the committee and explained its objectives, the representative of New Socialist Initiative recalled the world historic achievements of women in the Soviet Union when the working class held political power there and established socialism. She also pointed out how, with the collapse of socialism in the Soviet Union and other countries, women have been forced back to the very same conditions of capitalist slavery that they had fought to overcome. The representative of Purogami Mahila Sangathan denounced the crimes against women and men by the army and paramilitary forces in the North East and Kashmir, under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, as well as the brutal state terrorism under various draconian laws, in the name of “fighting terrorism”. She pointed out that the masses of toiling women and men, who are the victims of state terrorism, have to organise to take political power in their hands to put an end to this tyranny and insecurity. Several speakers accused the government for trying to shift the burden of the present grave economic crisis on to the backs of the toiling women and men, while assisting the big capitalists to continue to reap their super profits.

The Centenary Committee marked March 8 with a joyous celebration of songs, dances and deliberations, at the central park in Connaught Place. Colourful banners vividly displayed the many aspects of the struggle of women for their emancipation. Balloons and kites fluttering in the sky added to festive spirit. Purogami Mahila Sangathan put up a bold poster display, highlighting the challenges that women face under capitalism and the system of representative democracy that prevails in our country. The presentation drew the conclusion that the road to the emancipation of women lies in fighting for political power in the hands of the masses of women and men.

A statement issued by Purogami Mahila Sangathan on this occasion highlighted the dangers facing our women in the conditions of the current economic offensive and the threat of war in our region. Calling on women to reject all illusions that their emancipation can be achieved by accommodation within this system, it urged women to come forward in the struggle to end capitalism and establish socialism. It called on women to “dare to define a new political system and process, a new politics that enables the women and men of our vast polity, organized in our villages, in our bastis, in our colonies in the towns and cities, to actively participate in shaping our economy and society in the interests of the vast majority” and pointed out that “our emancipation lies in such a society that can truly empower us to take decisions on all issues that concern society and women in society.” Hundreds of copies of this statement were enthusiastically received by the participants.