On the 29th and 30th of April 2001, the Progressive Organization of Women, Andhra Pradesh, held its fourth State Conference at Warangal city. The Conference was preceded by extensive and colourful wall writings in the city.

On 29th April, the Conference was inaugurated in “Sujatha Nagar” – the venue being named after young Com. Sujatha, who belonged to that area and who was martyred two years ago by police bullets. Her portrait, as well as photographs of other martyrs like Snehlata, adorned the Hall.

The Conference began with flag hoisting and observing of silence for the martyrs. 350 delegates representing a membership of 70,000 participated in the Conference. President of the Reception Committee, Ms. Katyayanee Vidmahe welcomed the delegates. She said that Warangal was the proper place to host POW conference as it is the land of struggles, where Rani Rudramma had shone as a ruler during the feudal period.

Com Katy Irani (IFTU Leader from Maharashtra and Member, IFTU National Committee) inaugurated the Conference. In her speech, Com. Katy dwelt at length on the severe problems confronting women in India, as they are facing a combined onslaught of imperialist clutches and feudal forces joining hands. Illiteracy, child marriages, caste oppression and communalism continue to affect the women while sati is also witnessed here and there. Outlining the effects of WTO-IMF-WB dictated policies on jobs, dismantling of PDS, declining purchasing power and even the ‘slum clearance’ attacking the houses of working people, Com. Katy stressed on the need to build joint struggles of all the democratic forces against these policies. POW President Com. Sandhya, presiding over the inaugural session, analysed the national and international situation and exposed the hypocrisy of the Govt. which signs international declarations on women’s rights, but refuses to grant the same at home. Their refusal to grant 33% seats in Parliament and Assemblies, even in this year of ‘Women’s Empowerment’ exposes their utter duplicity.

After the Inaugural session, the Delegate session of the Conference was devoted to discussions on some amendments to the Constitution introduced by Com. Rama. On the second day, the Organizational Report – a detailed document – was introduced by the General Secretary of the organization, Com. Jhansi. This was passed with minor ammendments. The last item, introduction of the new executive panel, evoked lively debate. The agenda was presented by POW Vice-President Com. Tanya. After a long discussion, Conference unanimously approved a 21 member Executive Committee, with Com. Sandhya as President, Coms. Rama, Seetha and Tanya as Vice-Presidents, and Com. Jhansi as General Secretary.

The entire proceeding was continually enlivened by evocative songs and dances by Arunodaya teams. Many of the children of the participants in the Conference took part in the Arunodaya programmes, which ensured that they were creatively employed, while their mothers devoted attention to the proceedings.

On the evening of 30th April, a rally was held followed by a public meeting. The rally, with about 4000 women, began from the Railway Station and culminated in a grandly decorated ground, where the Meeting commenced at 8 PM. It was addressed by Guest Speaker Com. Aparna (President, Delhi State Committee, IFTU), Com. Sandhya (President, POW), Com. Tanya (CPI(ML)-New Democracy State Sect. Member), Com. Jhansi (General Secretary, POW), Ms. Girja Rani (Stree Janoddharana), Com. Rama (Vice-President, POW) and Com. R. Vimala (Sect. Member of POW). Com. Sandhya gave an account of the Conference. Outlining the present conditions in which women are forced to sell their children, she said that women’s empowerment for the rulers is limited to papers only.

The main speaker, Com. Aparna, explained that the ruling classes are even formally abandoning the responsibilities to provide education, health care and food to the people. She said that under the WTO-dictated policies hitting the peasants, agricultural labourers, industrial workers and other working sections, women will be thrown at the extreme end. She stressed the need to intensify struggles for eocnomic, social and political equality.

Com. Tanya said that after the advent of BJP to power, Hindutva forces are trying to impose dress codes and other reactionary mores of the patriarchal society. She criticized the judicial pronouncement to the effect that in intercaste marriages, father’s caste is applicable to the children.

Ms. Girija Rani said that women are facing poverty and violence and girl children are becoming victims. She gave an example from Kerala, where a Minister harassed a woman IAS officer and he has been again given ticket to contest in the elections!

Dealing with the effects of globalization on job security, Com. Jhansi said that we should struggle for India quitting WTO. Com. Rama said that “cheating the people” by making false promises by the ruling class parties at the election time has become routine.

Once again Arunodaya dancers and singers stole the show with beautifully crafted items depicting the real situation of women in India in different spheres of life.