By Muslim Mirror Desk,
New Delhi: March 8 marks the International Women’s Day, which celebrates the achievements and acknowledges the women in all spheres of life. National Women’s Front on this occasion has focused on the awareness to be imparted to the better half of the society during the current situation. This day was observed with the caption “Fascism is anti-women, Let us fight it”, highlighting the need of women’s organizing in the context of ongoing fascist onslaught in the country.
The National President A S Zainaba reminded about the direction our country is heading to since the past few years, as a matter of utter concern. The venom of polarisation is being openly spread by the RSS and its affiliates on the streets and also through the government policies. The media which is supposed to be the watchdog of democracy has sided with the fascists and competes with each other to promoting fascism under the pretext of nationalism. Even the judiciary is not free from the influence fascism, so much so that four top most judges in the Supreme Court had to take the matters to the media, unable to find a solution within the institution.
The theme of the day explained that fascism is also an anti-women ideology and women have always been at the receiving end in fascist dominated societies in history. Indian Dalit and Muslim women are being targeted by Hindutwa fascists. The communal riots of Gujarat 2002 and Muzaffarnagar 2013 saw numerous cases of rapes and killings of women. Even the Christian nuns were not spared by the hindutva fanatics during the violent rage against Christians in different parts of the country.
The organisation emphasised on the strength showed by women in such situation and the need of similar organizing on the part of Indian women. NWF assured that fascism could be defeated by creating a strong movement in which a major role was to be played by women citing numerous instances in history where women had taken the lead role in the fight against fascism. NWF believes in creating awareness by educating the women about their rights and mobilizing them to take up their responsibilities and by taking up this opportunity on International Women’s Day to expose the agenda of fascist forces that are now planning to meddle with the constitution as well.
Different programs were held as part of the day in the states like of Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Goa, Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan. Public gathering, seminars, handbill distribution, jail visits, awareness programs etc took place. Videos messages were also circulated to impart the message of the day to the public through social media.