Some think that the only task of students is to study. Similarly, many feel that the place of women is within the domains of domestic life. There was a time when men and women equally shared all functions in the society. There was no division of labour so far as the gender was concerned. Women, on the contrary, enjoyed a better status in society. The Manifesto of the Communist Party showed that the political and cultural history of every age were reflections of the stage and system of economic production and of the social structures resulting thereof. Alienation of the womenfolk from the system of economic production happened to be the main reason for the loss of their independence in society. On the other hand, active participation by women in the production system made them free. History of social development had shown that it was the socialist system which only could bring women out and engage them in production process of the society; could unshackle them from the drudgeries of the kitchen and the labour room.

A prolonged struggle is necessary to achieve that. Only a fundamental transformation in society and in the complete victory of communism that such a struggle may end. The toiling masses including the women in our semi-feudal semi-bourgeois state would be able to end their slavery only when a complete victory in the economic and political spheres is achieved. A large number of Women’s Organisations all over the world are fighting for cause of women. There are many differences among them. In India women’s movement is mainly organised by the left organisation by the left organisations. The biggest among those organisations happens to be All India Democratic Women’s Association based on the ideology of Marxism-Leninism. But it has not yet been possible to bring the entire backward section out in the vortex of women’s movement. "The toiling women – the worker and peasant women formed the target reserve force of the working class. They comprise half of the population. The fate of proletarian struggle, the victory or otherwise of proletarian revolution, the victory or otherwise of proletarian power are all dependent on which side this reserve women force would take – whether for our against the working class." (J.V.Stalin)

Not only that. The women force may become a real fighting force against the bourgeoisie too.

The Human Rights Declaration of 1948 recognised equal rights for all inespective of men, women and children. But, fifty years after that the lions share of resources remains concentrated in the hands of the rich. The conditions of the downtrodden women are getting worser. The new constitution of India proclaimed in 1950 ensured equal status for all inespective of caste, creed, religion, and sex. After 50 years of independence the toiling masses are still deprived of the fruits of whatever growth our country has achieved. The women are left far more behind.

There are many statues and laws for the working people as well as for the women in our country. But all those have remained in paper. Larger participation of women is essential to make the struggle for fundamental change in society. The social and domestic barriers have therefore, to be blasted as soon as possible. The legislation for reservation of seats for women will bring forward a large section of them to participate in administrative functions. That would require breaking of social and domestic barriers. Such participation will make women efficient in discharging decision-making responsibilities in the political sphere. Standing on the threshold of the 21st Century and on this occasion of the International Women’s Day it has to be remembered that the Soviet Socialist Revolution which took place early in the outgoing Century freed women from exploitation. It is our earnest hope that the 21st Century will free the toiling masses of our country from all suffering and installed them in political power.