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South Asian Women Peasant's Conference on Right to Land, Empowerment and Liberation
January 20-21, 2009
The inaugural session of the South Asian women peasants' conference was organized by All Nepal Peasants' Federation (ANPFa) in collaboration with South Asia Alliance for Poverty Eradication (SAAPE). The inaugural session was chaired by Sahana Pradhan, a politician and a women's rights advocate in South Asia , ex foreign minister and leader of CPN UML. Chief guest J. N. Khanal, parliamentary leader at constituent assembly and General Secretary of CPN UML. Other guests include Dias Kunti Gurung from Bhutan , Manowara from Bangladesh , Prof A.B deo IMSE , India,BibiNaheed Akhtar, Pakistan, Rosemary, Sri Lanka.
The inauguration was done by lighting a traditional colorful Votal Lamp by the Chief Guest. Kunti gurung lamented on the deplorable situation of Bhutan . She was very critical of the denial of democratic rights in Bhutan. She urged the body to have a resolution in favor of democracy in Bhutan.
Manowara Begam expressed her solidarity message and wished success of the conference. She deplored the employment crisis and women's critical situation in Bangla society. Women have limited role in decision making and NGO and INGO are making noise about it, however, this has not yet succeeded.
Prof. Dey said that Nepal has been the center of civilization and long history since the day of Lord Buddha. He congratulated Nepali People on successfully abolishing myth of the king and welcomed new Nepal as Federal Republic remembering the people's movement days. He honored great revolutionary Nepalese people and their heroic struggle. He lamented on the Indian crisis and peasants' eviction in the name of development. He welcomed heroic struggle of Nandigram and Singur to establish security of livelihood of peasants. He expressed solidarity message and success of the conference.
Bibi Naheed Akhtar of Pakistan criticized the policy to keep women inside the home in Pakistan . She said that women are deprived from right to land. Many organizations are working for improvement of women's' condition in Pakistan but real change is still far. She opposed army occupation of large farm lands and forceful eviction of people leaving their for generations. In such situation, common working of South Asian level is important. She welcomed the conference themes and expressed solidarity.
Other resource persons each gave their inputs and messages. To read the declaration from the conference, please click on the link below.
Balram Banskota
Deputy Secretary General
All Nepal Pesants' Federation
Mobile: +977 9851018248
Phone: +977 1 4288404
P. O. Box. 273, Lalitpur, Nepa
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