Women’s Dignity, Safety to Dominate Confab
Hyderabad: The All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA) said it will hold its 14th national conference here from January 25 to 28, focusing on women’s dignity, security and economic concerns.
Notable participants included senior advocate and former Law Commission member Keerthi Singh; KK Shailaja, former health minister of Kerala; Sathi Devi, chairperson of the Kerala Women’s Commission; and academics Prof. Malini Bhattacharya, Prof. Ishita Mukherjee and Prof. Archana Prasad.
Addressing the media, AIDWA general secretary Mariam Dhawale said that Telangana was chosen as the venue as many promises made to women in the state were not fulfilled. He noted that honor killings, social tensions and violence continue to leave women insecure.
Citing a recent study on microfinance loans, Dhawale said women are increasingly burdened with debt. “Women are encouraged by microfinance institutions to take out loans for small needs and purchases. Especially in rural areas, many people accept these loans due to lack of awareness. When they cannot pay back, they take out new loans or are forced into extreme distress.”
The survey of women in 22 states found that 45 percent of respondents reported interest rates above 25 percent; 10 percent is paid between 50 and 100 percent; and about 20 percent said they were charged between 100 and 200 percent. Around 300 women in Telangana were found to be severely affected and interventions by district collectors brought some relief.
AIDWA president PK Sreemathy said women’s dignity and constitutional rights were not equally protected. He emphasized the need to reduce state revenues dependent on the sale of liquor and suggested adopting welfare models in other states, such as government-backed loans, to support women’s livelihood. He added that mobilizing women to protect democratic and secular values will continue to be his main focus.
State committee member Mallu Lakshmi said the four-day conference will bring together representatives from across the country to discuss social, economic and political issues affecting women and outline future programmes.
