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CLARION CALL TO WOMEN
Whatever be the land, religion, society or
culture, in history, women have always been given secondary
status all over the world. This has begun to undergo a gradual
change for the better in the last century. Let us unite and
organize ourselves, so that these changes take deeper roots
and all may together march on the path of progress.
Stree Mukti Sanghatana (Women's Liberation
Organisation), established in 1975 - International Women's
Year. It has directed its efforts towards the upliftment of
women irrespective of caste, class, creed, religion, language
and nationality; primarily by creating awareness in the
society about women's issues and the issues related to
equality, peace and development. It is an apolitical,
autonomous, voluntary organisation.
The main objective of Stree Mukti Sanghatana
(SMS), is to work towards creating conditions conducive to
equality. Its programmes and activities enable women to become
literate, self-reliant and confident. Through these
activities, over the years, SMS has built up a network of
activists in Maharashtra.
SMS activists hail from various strata of the
society and different age groups (from 16 to 70 years) and
include students, working women and men, housewives and
trained social workers, advocates, teachers, doctors and a
large number of illiterate women of different religions,
castes and classes.
SMS has initiated and contributed to several
campaigns, conferences, workshops and Yatras.
SMS has been successful in mobilizing a large number of
volunteers, and support from opinion makers and the state
machinery for the successful conduct of a chosen campaign.
From the time of its inception, SMS has made
significant contributions to the women's movement in
Maharashtra through various activities. These efforts have now
been recognized and appreciated at both the national and
international levels. In June 1999 SMS received a special
consultative status from UNITED NATIONS
(ECOSOC). |
