Dateline: Hyderabad, January 25, 2026
The streets of Hyderabad turned into a sea of red and white today as thousands of women from across the country marched in a massive rally to mark the commencement of the 14th National Conference of the All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA). Held in Telangana for the first time since 1981, the four-day convention at the RTC Kalyana Mandapam has emerged as a major flashpoint for the women's movement, targeting what leaders described as a "dual assault" by corporate interests and regressive ideologies.
Brinda Karat: "Fighting the Corporate-Communal Nexus"
In a fiery inaugural address, veteran Marxist leader Brinda Karat declared that the struggle for women's rights is now the front line in the battle to save the Indian Constitution.
The Ideological Threat: Karat accused the ruling regime of attempting to replace constitutional equality with a "Manuvadi" framework. She noted that while slogans like 'Beti Bachao' are touted, the actual policies protect perpetrators of violence and promote a regressive social order.
The Economic Squeeze: She highlighted that the "kitchen fire is being extinguished" by unchecked inflation. Karat argued that women are the hardest hit by the rising costs of LPG, fuel, and essential grains, which she termed a "deliberate policy of corporate-toadying."
Mariam Dhawale: Unmasking the Debt Trap and Rising Violence
AIDWA General Secretary Mariam Dhawale provided a grim statistical reality of the challenges facing Indian women today, citing a recent nationwide survey conducted by the organization.
The Microfinance Crisis: Dhawale revealed shocking data on the debt burden in rural India. According to the survey:
45% of women are paying interest rates above 25%.
A staggering 20% of respondents are trapped in loans with interest rates ranging between 100% to 200%.
She described these microfinance institutions as "legalized moneylenders" driving women to extreme distress.
Escalating Violence: Citing NCRB data, she lamented a 90% increase in POCSO cases between 2022 and 2024. She criticized the "secrecy and political protection" often granted to perpetrators in high-profile cases, such as those in Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh.
Policy Failures: Dhawale condemned the scrapping of MGNREGA funds and the dilution of the Forest Rights Act, which she claimed is causing large-scale migration of tribal and rural women.
Actress Rohini: "I Became a Communist Long Ago"
Popular actress and activist Rohini brought a cultural perspective to the resistance, emphasizing that the "glamour" of the film industry often hides deep-seated inequalities.
Cultural Resistance: Rohini spoke about the "invisible chains" of domestic labor and the need for women to claim their space in decision-making processes.
Industry Standards: Referencing the Hema Committee Report and similar movements, she demanded safe working environments and "equal pay for equal work" in the entertainment sector.
The Power of Collective Action: "I am here not just as an artist, but as a woman who believes that individual struggle is limited. When we join the red flag, our strength is multiplied," she told the delegates to thunderous applause.
The Agenda Ahead: Resolutions for 2026
The conference, which will conclude on January 28, is set to deliberate on several landmark resolutions:
Women’s Reservation Bill: Demand for immediate implementation of the 33% quota with specific sub-quotas for OBC and Minority women.
National Education Policy (NEP): Concerns regarding the impact of the 2020 policy on the privatization of education and its adverse effect on the girl child.
Food Security: Demanding the restoration of universal PDS and a crackdown on food inflation.
Workplace Safety: Pushing for Internal Complaints Committees (ICCs) in all sectors, including the unorganized and cultural industries.
"Our struggle is for a world that is secular, democratic, and free from the chains of patriarchy and imperialist greed." —
