Free Us From Hunger

 Women Chant On Human Rights Day

 ON December 10, the Human Right Day, thousands of women in at least 250 centres all over India demonstrated for the basic human right to a life free from hunger. Organised by the All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA), the protest included gheraos and picketing of FCI godowns, demonstrations at central government offices and state assemblies.

  In New Delhi, hundreds of women blocked the main road outside the ministry for food, carrying placards and banners that depicted the terrible plight of poor women and children even as 60 crore tonnes of foodgrains are stacked in government godowns. The women, many from the city slums, raised slogans demanding universalisation of the ration system and cheap food for all.

Addressing the protesters, AIDWA general secretary Brinda Karat said the government policies have led to hunger and starvation in over 278 districts in India. Women have been the worst hit, according to a survey conducted by AIDWA in six states. This year women’s wages have been cut by more than half. In some places women are doing the same work for 50 to 70 per cent less wages than last year. Women are also facing increasing incidents of abuse and humiliation. Karat said that all talk of women’s empowerment and human rights have remained on paper only. The AIDWA’s Delhi state secretary Ashalata said in the capital people were being deprived of even rations whereas poor people in the city, who live jampacked in jhuggis, get even less than minimum wages and have no ration cards.

In Kerala, women picketed FCI godowns in 13 districts while, in Maharashtra, they held demonstrations and rasta roko in 12 districts. In UP, state level rallies were held and thousands of women marched to the state assembly, demanding cheap ration for all.

Similar demonstrations were held in West Bengal, Orissa, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Tamilnadu and Andhra Pradesh. In many demonstrations affected women spoke of their terrible plight and demanded not charity but work from the governments.

The AIDWA has urged the parliament to have a special discussion on the impact of drought related policies, with emphasis on their impact on women, and ensure a distribution of 6 crore tonne foodgrains at Antyodaya prices. (INN)