On the eve of International Women’s Day, among those who had gathered in front of Town Hall to raise their voice against the politics of violence and atrocities against women were two women who knew the theme only too well.
The ‘special guests’ — Rasheeda Bee and Champa Devi Shukla — are both victims and survivors of the Bhopal gas tragedy and have been actively involved in working with other victims, helping them fight for compensation, and also leading a struggle to safeguard the livelihood of women.
Over three decades later, Ms. Rasheeda says the victims continue to fight for justice. “Physiologically, women still continue to suffer and have several hormonal problems. In fact, if you say that you have been living in Bhopal, grooms automatically reject the bride as women continue to give birth to children with disabilities,” she said, mentioning that six of her family members suffered or are suffering from cancer.
Ms. Champa said though grand promises were made both by the government and Union Carbide, neither had taken responsibility to help them earn a decent living. Despite the bleak picture, the two women have managed to lead the struggle in the fight for justice and help other women get access to employment and health care benefits and won the Goldman Environmental Award. They donated the cash prize and founded the Chingari Trust to fight for justice for women and their families and raise their voices against corporate crimes.
