Celebrating International Women’s Day in India
PWS&D Communications Coordinator, Barb Summers, inagurates the International Women's Day celebration in Madurai, India. She commended the 12,000 women gathered for their perseverance and solidarity in fighting for equality, justice and freedom.
Photo: Paul Jeffrey, PWS&D
Celebrating International Women’s Day in India
Presbyterian World Service & Development Communications Coordinator, Barb Summers, recently returned from a visit to India, where she took part in a gathering of 12,000 women in Madurai for International Women’s Day on March 8, 2010.
With the honour of inaugurating the march through the streets, Barb commended the women for their perseverance in fighting for equality, justice and freedom. “Let me tell you that many women in Canada have forgotten the fight of their great grandmothers,” Barb said in her opening remarks. “Some take for granted the opportunities they have. That is why we look to women like all of you here today, and we remember what can be accomplished through your solidarity.”
As thousands of women march the streets of India adorned in blue saris, they chanted: “Let women’s liberation rise,” “Down, down violence against women,” and “Allow us to live!” The peaceful protest assembled together to speak out against unfair and unjust practices such as discrimination, dowries, infanticide and a patriarchal society.
PWS&D is helping empower women in India through literacy training, management skills and small loans to enable the women to begin businesses and improve their families’ income. With their earnings, they can send their children to school, access medical care and save for the future.
Read more about PWS&D’s work in India.
Presbyterian World Service & Development is the development and relief agency of The Presbyterian Church in Canada.
Barb Summers opens the International Women's Day march in Madurai, India on March 8, 2010. The march is a peaceful street protest against unfair and unjust practices against women.
Photo: Paul Jeffrey, PWS&D
Participants chant for liberty, life and the elimination of violence and discrimination against women.
Photo: Paul Jeffrey, PWS&D
