SHILLONG:
On the occasion of International Women’s Day on March 8, the National Domestic Workers’ Movement (NWDM) in collaboration with Meghalaya Aids Control Society organised a program to felicitate female domestic workers and also create awareness among them about their health and safety.
Domestic workers belonging to various communities gathered at Savio hall where the program was held. The women attending the program also presented a dance performance where they dance to the rhythm of traditional Bodo music.
The Meghalayan spoke to a few women who attended the program and all of them expressed happiness that even if it is for a single day, they are being recognised. One of the women said, “Domestic workers are usually ignored and today is the only day we have dressed up and come out to have fun”.
When asked about the difficulties they face as domestic workers on an everyday basis one of the workers said, “We as women and also as domestic workers are subjected to violence at times, but being a part of this organisation gives us a sense of safety, we feel assured that someone is there to voice our concerns”.
Notably, the field of domestic workers is often dominated by women coming from economically weak backgrounds and their interests and needs are often ignored by the society and the programme held on International Women’s day was a unique way to celebrate womenhood.
In regard to the programme one of the organisers said “Women coming from low income background and low educational qualification usually stay back home fearing that they would not be able to find any jobs making them depend on their husband. I say that they should come out and see that there are endless possibilities for them to become self-reliant”.
The programme was also attended by two dignitaries Dr. Judita Syiemlieh– a senior oncologist, and Bakodor Kharwanlang vice president of All Meghalaya Domestic Workers Union.