Women’s Day Celebration in Kothapeta Constituency

A series of Women’s Day celebrations took place in the Kothapeta constituency within PARA’s working region. The celebration of International Women’s Day has become a significant event for all departments, dedicated to honoring women on this special occasion. As part of its current project, PARA is actively working to uphold the rights of women, persons with disabilities (PwDs), and pregnant and lactating mothers, with strong participation from women in the community.

The Women’s Day celebration on March 8th was observed by all departments, although PARA had to make adjustments to the dates. Special recognition was given to women in various villages on the following dates.

The program commenced around 11:00 AM across all four mandals, coinciding with the arrival of participants. Attendees included representatives from the ICDS department, Panchayati officials, and women leaders from the village.

The event began with the ceremonial garlanding of Savitribai Phule and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar by the distinguished guests from the department. Following this, the guests addressed the participants on various important topics.

The major subjects that were spoken during the program were on the issues women face and acts related to them.

1. Violence faced by women:

ICDS supervisors, teachers and sarpanches spoke about different violence against women face in the society. This remains a grave concern worldwide. It manifests in various forms, including:

• Domestic Violence: Physical, emotional, or psychological abuse within households.
• Sexual Violence: Includes rape, molestation, and sexual harassment.
• Honor Killings: Women being killed by family members in the name of “honor.”
• Human Trafficking: Forced labor and sexual exploitation of women.
• Cyber Violence: Online harassment, stalking, and abuse.

• Acts and laws for women protection:

The guests have also spoken about the laws and acts protecting women from different violations they face in the society.

• The Equal Pay Act: Ensures equal pay for equal work, preventing wage discrimination.
• The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act: Provides legal protection against domestic abuse and ensures shelter and support services.
• The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Act: Safeguards women from harassment in professional environments.
• The Maternity Benefit Act: Grants paid maternity leave and protects employment during pregnancy.
• The Hindu Succession Act (Amendment): Grants equal property rights to women.
• The Dowry Prohibition Act: Prevents the giving and receiving of dowries to curb harassment and violence.
• Women’s Reservation Bill: Proposes reservation of seats for women in legislatures to ensure their political participation.

• Freedom of Women at Stake

Fr Thomas Pallithanam, Director of PARA concluded the program by saying that freedom of women is at stake. Despite significant progress in gender equality, women’s freedom remains at risk due to social, cultural, and political factors. Many societies still impose restrictions on women’s education, career choices, and personal freedom. To uphold their freedom, continuous efforts in legal reforms, education, and societal awareness are necessary to challenge deeply rooted stereotypes and prejudices.

• Women’s Participation:

Women leadership and participation bring diverse perspectives and foster economic and social growth. Women such as Malala Yousafzai, Indira Gandhi, Mother Teresa, and Kamala Harris have exemplified the power of women in leadership roles. Encouraging women’s participation in all domains ensures a more inclusive, progressive, and balanced world.

Empowerment through education, financial independence, and policy-making positions helps women break barriers and redefine societal norms. The future of a prosperous society lies in gender equality, recognizing the immense potential of women, and providing them with the platform to lead and inspire.