20 Years of Disha By now Disha had worked with women for almost two years by running a stitching and weaving centre. It also ran an adult education centre for backward Muslim women. During this period, it got an opportunity to learn issues and problems of women. This led to realisation that if something has to be done for women, they first need to be organised and then need to be made aware of their issues, problems and rights. To begin with women organisations Mahila Jagriti Samitis were formed in six villages. Each of the MJS had its independent governance structure and bank accounts to deposit membership fee. The meagre collection through membership fee later proved to be a great source of strength for women. These MJS later became torch-bearers of Disha’s activities with women, who later on came to occupy most prominent place in the organisation’s work. Soon after the formation of MJS, the first camp for generating awareness among women was organised on January 25, 1986. After this a series of camps were organised and became almost a regular feature. As camps of women were held, membership of MJS started growing. Demands also came in from other villages to set up similar samitis in their villages. Each MJS progressed in its own unique way. All of them set up women relief funds ranging from Rs 400 to Rs 2,000 for providing ready cash to the needy members. They engaged in a number of economic activities and social actions. Special mention needs to be MJS at Sultanpur and Pather villages. Sultanpur MJS showed strong feelings towards atrocities on women and exploitation of women of weaker sections at all levels. This MJS and Pather MJS became deeply involved in creating awareness among the landless women labours for their wage rights. For the first time a sammelan (congregation) of all the MJS was held on March 22, 1988. Nearly 500 women from labour and weaker sections participated in the congregation. The congregation passed a resolution demanding equality for women in the society, reservation in jobs, end to exploitation, better education and health facilities and social justice for women. In an action MJS of all the villages staged a demonstration at the local Gandhi Ashram and bank branch to protest against the attitude of local bank officials, who were not cooperative and had negative attitude towards women. The demonstration succeeded in its purpose and emboldened the women. This was the first major action of women against the prevailing situation and laid foundation of some of the bigger actions in the years to come. |
Chairperson’s Message |
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