The All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA), which is the largest women’s organisation in the country with more than one crore members in 26 states, has been at the forefront of a number of countrywide campaigns for women’s rights and equality. A majority of our members belong to the poorest, most marginalized sections of society.
Over the last one year AIDWA has been carrying out surveys on the rising indebtedness amongst women in the country with specific focus on the impact of Micro Finance Institutions, Small Finance Banks, Private Banks and Non-Banking Financial Companies on the life of the borrowers. The survey was carried out among 9000 women mainly from marginalised sections in 100 districts across 21 states. The results of the survey and testimonies of women borrowers will be presented in a National Public Hearing, which will be held on 23-24 August 2025, at Harkishan Singh Surjeet Bhavan, New Delhi. About 600 women from various states will attend the hearing.
During the course of our survey, our activists came across families where the women (and/or family members) committed suicide due to inability to repay their loans, faced physical assault or lost their assets because of the unfair practices indulged in by the recovery agents of the MFIs. Some of these case studies will be presented before a jury by the affected individuals, demanding a just verdict.
A brief report of the nationwide findings, the role of Government policies which have actually exacerbated the crisis, steps taken by some states to provide alternatives and legal recourse, AIDWA campaigns and struggles, will also find place.
We take great pleasure in extending a welcome to you for this programme, and hope that you will extend solidarity and support for this important endeavour.
Woman, youth and Student organisations held a millitant protest on 30 September against the barbaric gangrape and murder of the 19 year Dalit girl from Hatras.
OUR DEMANDS Demands placed before the Central Government for urgent consideration and redressal - - Set up a committee to study gendered impacts of the pandemic and to understand the severity of it…
AIDWA demands scrapping of amendment to essential commodities act and two ordinances facilitating the corporatisation of Agriculture.
