Huge rally marks International Women’s Day in Vizag

Visakhapatnam: Women’s organisations and various institutions celebrated the International Women’s Day all over north coastal Andhra on Wednesday.

Progressive Organisation for Women (POW) took out a huge rally from LIC Building to GVMC Mahatma Gandhi statue near RTC Complex in the morning hours. POW state general secretary M. Lakshmi spoke about the genesis of women’s movement and how it culminated into International Women’s Day on March 8, 1908.

She accused the government of discriminating against women in all fields, exploiting girl children and failing in preventing violence against women all over the country.

Another activist Padmakka spoke about how exploitation of women has increased in BJP-ruled states, the way price rise is shattering families and government-run schools are getting closed.

In Anakapalli, YSRC party women leaders celebrated the day by cutting a cake. Anakapalli Lok Sabha member Dr. K. Satyavathi emphasised how Navaratna and schemes for specifically benefitting women have been launched during the past three years.

Eastern Naval Command celebrated the International Women's Day at INS Circars with a brief presentation on Women's Day, role of women in society and recent government schemes for uplift and empowerment of women.

INS Circars office superintendent Dr. V. Bhavani Devi presented her doctorate thesis on socio economic status of tribal women and how their status has improved over the years by concerted efforts of government and NGOs.

Visakhapatnam Port Authority celebrated the day at Port Sagaramala Conventions with port chairman K. Rama Mohana Rao being the chief guest. Andhra University Department of Telugu professor Ayyangari Sita Ratnam and P. Sailaja attended the event as special invitees.