South Asian Women's Day

Why the South Asian Women's Day (30th November)

The region of South Asia is bound by a common and cross-cutting threads of history/ herstory, language, arts and culture. Its concerns are similar too—rising levels of poverty, widening income gaps, greater emphasis on weapons and military, increasing intolerance towards minorities, civil unrest, human rights’ violations, and most of all, increasing violence against women.

In fact, South Asia is one of the most violent regions for women, as proven by its shockingly low sex-ratios! Besides, democracy covers little ground in the region, while globalisation and privatisation have gained control. Countries that pride themselves as democracies largely ignore people’s issues, at the same time market forces have turned people into consumers. Shared boundaries between countries are points of conflict. The result is that our regional identity – as South Asians – has been wiped off our consciousness and we only live as nationals in our respective countries.

To forge in women across South Asia a common identity as South Asians and as women facing similar patriarchy-related concerns, to pledge for peace, justice, human rights and democracy and to celebrate our respective achievements, women from different South Asian countries decided in 2002 to celebrate 30th November as South Asian Women’s Day.

 

This day, has, since then been celebrated by several women's groups and like-minded organisations across South Asia. It was initiated by Kamla Bhasin, who founded Sangat, as a network of South Asian women.

To the promise of justice, democracy and harmony,

To the wholeness of justice,

To the power of peace,

Let us walk together...