“One of the earliest recognition for woman can be traced to China where on 29 Dec, 1949, the country proclaimed March 8 as Women’s Day and a national holiday thereof. Following this, communists countries across the world demanded similar honour for women, and raised protests for the recognition. Protests by feminists organisations’ began world over later in 1967 and UN incepted it into its General Assembly only in 1977. “ read Congress veteran P Rajeev’s Facebook post.
"Take a close look at the stamp below. It is from the Wiki. The year marked is 1949 and day, March 8. The stamp was released by Soviet Union . more than a quarter century prior to US came out with similar postage stamp in 1977,
Coming to the next picture, it depicts the historic strike of 1917, held by women in textile industry in Soviet’s Petrograd on March 8. It marked the beginning of February Revolution. Post the Russian revolution, 8 March was declared a holiday in Soviet - the first time that women earned recognition. On the 29th of Dec 1949, China declared March 8 as Women’s Day which would also be a holiday.
History of this special day began at a massive gathering of women in 1910. It was then that the slogan ‘Women’s day’ was raised the first time ever.
When concept of citizen took shape in Greece, as for the slaves so also for the women, there would be no citizenship status. Whereas in Soviet Union, women not only had right to vote; they also were allowed to contest.
Women deserve freedom, the ancient Manu Scriptures(Smruti) had advised. However, it took years before US on 26 August 1920, could allow its women to cast vote. Also that was made possible only after incorporating amendments to the country’s constitution.
There were 15 women in India’s Constitutional Assembly of India of whom, one member , Daksyani Velayudhan, came from the Dalit community in Ernakulam’s Mullavucaud Panchayat.
(Pic : Dakshayanai Velayudhan)
Others included : Ammu, a Palakkad native from Madras State ; Mother to Captain Lakshmibhai and Mrinalini Sarabay, Subhashini – grandmother to Ali and Mallika Sarabhai. Also, there were three Malayali women including Annie Mascarene from Travancore.
In present times, when it becomes important for all political activities to attempt making history, the memories of these women assume enormous significance, “ – P Rajeev.
