By Matters India Reporter
Kolkata: Women from many villages in West Bengal resolved to be messengers of peace and reduce distress migration.
‘Now is Time: Press for Progress’ was the theme the women decided to have for this year as they marked the International Women’s Day on March 8.
“There are forces around us trying to bring in divisions among us and we shall not allow these forces to influence us and divide us,” Ms. Minu Mumtaz, one of the leaders told MattersIndia.
The International Women’s day is celebrated by the women in their villages every year. This year they are celebrating in six different blocks where ‘Udayani’ (awakening) works.
The celebration was held in Shalmula in Burdwan District of West Bengal with the Self Help Group women. The women gathered to celebrate in full vigour.
“Due to lack of work and food our young men are forced to move out of West Bengal in search of work and survival if the poverty alleviation programs and schemes are implemented properly then we will not move out of ‘Sonar Bangla’ (Golden Bengal),” Ms. Uma Das said, adding “We need be vigilant and monitor different schemes at the village level.”
Ms. Jharna Begum, one of the activists read the Oath which read, “We shall be messengers of peace and build peace in the hamlets, villages and in our society.”
There were around 500 women gathered to celebrate the occasion. They have around 100 Self Help Groups in this block.
Purnima das, one of the special guests on the dais was an SHG women federation leader while giving her speech, she reminded that just two years back she could never think of coming up on the stage and addressing a big crowd of people over the mike. The Self Help Group promoted by Udayani has done this trick.
“The dream of the Jesuits in starting the empowerment work in this area is coming to a realization when we see the federation women taking over the lead today and moving into an NGO,” said Jesuit Father Irudhaya Jothi, director of Udayani.
The Federation women decided to register as independent NGO in the coming months and function independently.
Udayani will continue to train the women leaders to run the NGO effectively. The women also decided to stand as candidates for the forthcoming Panchayat (local village council) election. The village Panchayat election is expected to be held in the month of May.
Udayani Social Action Forum is the social outreach arm of the Calcutta province of the Society of Jesus. It works with schools, parishes, spiritual centers, international immersion groups, NGOs, and other organizations to foster a faith that does justice. It also serves as a link between the Jesuit social apostolate in India and the priorities of the Jesuit Conference of the South Asian Assistancy.