Around a century ago, International Women's Day (IWD) was started to commemorate the struggles and success of women employed primarily in the informal economy. Over the years, the day has evolved into a celebration of womanhood. For 2012, the theme chosen by the U.N. is ‘Empower rural women — end hunger and poverty'.
Accordingly, around 50 women and men from the economically backward areas of Jharkhand, Maharashtra and the four southern States gathered at the Indian Social Institute (ISI) in Benson Town to participate in a two-day seminar on ‘Empowerment of women at the grassroots'. The participants shared stories of hope, courage and achievement at the event organised by the Centre for Study of Society and Secularism and ISI.
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Setting the tone for the programme, Bangalore-based Shubha Chacko, who has championed the cause of gender minorities, said, “We must put the power back into em(power)ment. It must be transformational and must give women freedom to move around, express themselves and decide about their lives and fight violence.”
A writer and social worker, Shubha added, “Encouragingly, women at the grassroots do not hesitate to discuss their issues nowadays.”
George Mutholil, director, ISI, urged everyone to share narratives of empowerment while remembering that women often symbolise exclusion.
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An example of empowerment was Evangeline Anderson Rajkumar, a theologian, priest and head of the Women's Studies Department at the 101-year-old United Theological College in the city. Narrating how her young father raised their family after their mother's passing, she observed, “Patriarchy robs men and women of their potential to be completely human. Empowerment should therefore be done collectively. We must understand that developments like the breaking of barriers to women's priesthood is a victory for both women and men.”
Yasodha S., a 26-year-old community health counsellor from Tamil Nadu's Pudukottai district, said how she was forced to take up a job after high school to support herself and her mother who is a landless agricultural labourer. She contributes some of her measly earnings to educate poor orphans and support malnourished and ailing women in her neighbourhood. Yasodha revealed, “I managed to complete my graduation. I want to learn English now.”
And then there was feisty Vaishali Sonavane from a non-profit organisation in Pune that imparts awareness on government schemes and entitlements for women from low-income families. “Having access to information empowers women. With positive role models and appropriate guidance, they can help themselves well,” she noted.
Viswasam, who is in his mid-40s and has been highlighting the problems of garment workers in Dindigul district of Tamil Nadu used songs to illustrate their pain.