PRAGOTI

''Using the rhetoric of “justice,” “equality,” “rights and democracy,” and the “center of society” is hardly meaningful if such discourse is not supported by action. Western imperialists are using this language to invade and destroy the infrastructures of other nations, under the banner of “democracy and human rights.” Religious extremist transnationally, regardless of whether or not they are in positions of power in Iran, Afghanistan or the FLDS camps in United State, cannot talk of “upholding justice,” “security,” and the “well-being of women and girls” while violating the human rights of women and girls in polygamist, patriarchal power structures'', says Elahe Amani.

''Defending rights of women, sexual, ethnic, religious and other minorities are perhaps ‎indicators of democratization in society. Perhaps it was not frightening to defend ‎women’s rights before, but now failure to defend women’s rights will be condemned ‎widely by women in society, even if it is not always fruitful. Defending the rights of ‎minorities also is an experience of this sort'', observes Parvin Ardalan. ‎

Some perspectives from the Women's Movement in Iran (Courtesy: Iran Women Solidarity).

One of the more depressing features of government policy in the social sectors in India is the extent to which it relies on the unpaid or underpaid labour of women.