In response to the memorandum which asserted that women were producers of wealth, not just reproducers of children the prime minister admitted that women’s productive role in the economy was unrecognised. He also admitted the anamoly between increased expenditure on family planning while the outlay on primary health was negligible. He said this is because of the availability of foreign funds for family planning. The delegation strongly demanded a reconsideration of government priorities. The prime minister responding to the demand of the delegation to put the Women’s Reservation Bill for vote in this session, the prime minister said that the discussions were on and he was confident that the bill would be placed for discussions in this session.

The president of India kindly received the delegation which was privileged to present to him the first copy of the publication Womenspeak: United Voice against Goblisation, Poverty and Violence. This is based on the experiences and approach of nearly a hundred women’s organisations all over the country of the negative impact of policies of globalisation. The delegation also requested the president to urge the government to respond positively to the women’s national charter 2000.

The delegation consisted of Brinda Karat, Premila Pandhe(AIDWA), Aparna Basu(AIWC) Vina Mazumdar (CWDS),S.A. Lalitha (JWP) Amarjeet Kaur, Primila Loomba(NFIW) Mary Khemchand, Sadhona Ganguly (YWCA of India). The women parliamentarians were Sarla Maheshwari, Premajam, Chandra Pande, Bharathi Rai, Minati Sen.

The women of Tripura kept pace with their counterparts worldwide in massively registering their protest yesterday against globalisation of imperialism, the fountain head of all poverty and persecution among women, to mark the millenium’s first International Women’s Day. The day also marked the huge potentiality of women’s unity to combat the divisive demon seeking to devour the state as well as the entire country in the days to come.

By 2 p.m. yesterday, the streets of state capital Agartala were virtually besieged by women pouring in to the Rabindra Bhavan compound from all sections of society and all corners of the town. It was the venue of the women’s congregation from where their mammoth procession was to originate, a procession in which women, agricultural worker paraded simultaneously with the urban women employees and volunteers, teachers, and students consolidating the women’s claim for the due share of the world and sharpening the spearhead of women’s revolt against the policies of IMF, World Bank and WTO which imperil the rights and self respect of women.