THE All Manipur Democratic Women’s Association (AMDWA), affiliated to the All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA), held its seventh state conference on May 14, 2022 at the Manipur Dramatic Union Hall, Imphal. The venue was named after our leaders, L Tarunibala and R K Danita.

The conference began with the flag hoisting by M Randhoni Devi, the first president of AMDWA, followed by floral tributes to the martyrs.

AIDWA president Malini Bhattacharya (former MP and member of NCW) explained the dangers before the women’s movement under the BJP-RSS regime while inaugurating the conference. She exhorted the delegates to mobilise larger number of women from all sections to fight the exploitative, patriarchal, unjust system. We have to come forward to defend our constitutional rights and secularism. The inaugural session was also addressed by K Shantibala Devi from Manipur University and S Memcha Chanu, principal, Paree Imo Sindamsang High School.

After the election of the presidium consisting of Sundari, Binodini and Chandrabali, the state secretary, A Ashabala placed the printed report which elaborated on the challenges, activities and tasks for the future. Sixty-five delegates were present for the conference out of which ten delegates participated in the discussion.

Resolutions on 33 per cent reservation for women in parliament and legislative assemblies, against price hikes, for security of women in work places, free and compulsory education and MNREGA, and against violence against women and against AFSPA were adopted.

In her concluding speech, AIDWA general secretary Mariam Dhawale spoke about the need to organise women and strengthen our units in villages and urban areas. The regressive ideology of the BJP-RSS is having a very adverse impact on women’s lives. Increasing violence has put women in extremely insecure conditions. Most of the women in Manipur are involved in some economic activity and contribute financially to the family. But the pandemic has seriously impacted on their earnings. AMDWA-AIDWA will take up all these issues in the coming days and mobilise larger number of women in Manipur.   

The conference elected a 17 member state committee which elected a five member secretariat with Ch Sundari as president, A Ashabala as secretary, Y Chandrabali Leima as treasurer, A Binodini as vice president and H Ranjita as joint secretary. The conference concluded with revolutionary slogans.