THE sixth Manipur state conference of AIDWA was held at Imphal on September 29, 2019 and resolved to strengthen the women's movement and expand the organisation in the state. The conference was attended by 38 delegates including tribal and minority women delegates.

A four member presidium consisting of Maibam Randhoni, Chananbam Sundari Devi, Kodunshinglu Kamei and Brahmacharimayum Sandhyarani conducted the proceedings of the conference. The Manipur state conference was guided by Malini Bhattacharya, national president of AIDWA. After floral tributes to the martyrs, a condolence resolution was moved by the presidium and a two minutes silence was observed.

Malini Bhattacharya, inaugurating the state conference, called upon the delegates to defend the women and child rights and face the challenges of the NDA government at the centre, for a better condition of women in the country. She further said that the attacks on the women are increasing day by day during the communal regime led by the BJP. The main attacks came from the communal and castiest forces and state forces under this government. She emphasised that the rapes and tortures of women by the unscrupulous elements could be stopped only by mobilising and educating women with the strengthening of our organisation in every village of the country. Concluding her address, she said that AIDWA has a bright future in the state because, here in this part of the country, women are in the forefront in every socio-economic and cultural movement.

Sougrakpam Roma Devi, secretary, placed a printed eight-page draft report to the delegate session. The report mentioned the weaknesses of the organisation and the unavailability of women wholetimers in Manipur. The report highlighted eight points to develop and strengthen AIDWA in Manipur. The main points are as follows - to conduct membership drive in a planned manner, to chalk out annual action plan, to encourage women activists to become wholetimers, to organise regular classes for women activists, regular fund collection, strengthening of state centre etc. Nine delegates participated in the discussion on the draft report. The draft report was adopted unanimously after a brief answer by Roma Devi.

The conference passed the following resolutions – on the death of Babysana, a school girl killed in a school hostel; against attacks and atrocities on women; against malpractices in the implementation of ICDS, ASHA and mid-day meal schemes in the state; on women empowerment; on women’s reservation bill etc.

The state conference of AIDWA elected a new 16 member state committee. The new state committee elected Chananbam Sundari Devi as president and Ayekpam Ashabala Devi as secretary. It also elected Asem Binodini Devi and Sougrakpam Roma Devi as vice presidents, Phurailatpam Jibita Devi as treasurer, Arambam Thoi Chanu and Huiningsumbam Ranjita as joint secretaries.

Ashabala, the newly elected secretary, congratulated the delegates and said that the new committee will try its best to strengthen the organisation by organising women in all the districts of the state. Chanambam Sundari, addressing the concluding session told that AIDWA Manipur will not be a silent spectator on women issues and asked the delegates to be ready to take the task for defending women. 

The conference concluded with a new hope.