We Shall Fight, We Shall Win: CPI(M) Women’s March Against Pro-Capitalist, Communal Forces

On International Women’s Day, a powerful display of solidarity and resistance unfolded as women leaders of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) took to the streets in a dynamic women’s march. Proudly reciting the unwavering slogan, "We Shall Fight, We Shall Win!" The march became a symbol of the ongoing struggle for women’s rights and justice. 

Brinda Karat and Subhashini Ali, Politburo members and stalwart fighters for women’s rights, took the lead alongside Party Central Committee members PK Sreemathi, KK Shailaja, CS Sujatha, State Committee Member J Mercykutty Amma, and Susan Kodi, who all have long stood as pillars of the working class and women’s liberation.

The march began at the venue of the 24th Kerala State CPI(M) Conference, Comrade Kodiyeri Balakrishnan Nagar, and proceeded toward We Park, as the voices of the women echoed with slogans demanding justice and equality.

These leaders articulated a vision of a revolutionary transformation, where gender and class oppression are eradicated, and women emerge not merely as subjects of liberation but as active agents of revolutionary change. The march reaffirmed the Marxist perspective that the emancipation of women is inseparable from the broader struggle for a just and equal society, where patriarchy and capitalism are both dismantled.

Central to the march was a strong critique of the RSS-led BJP Union government, which, while promoting initiatives like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, has failed to address the growing violence and discrimination faced by women. The CPI(M) leaders pointed out the hypocrisy of the government, which has repeatedly turned a blind eye to the widespread atrocities against women. From sexual violence to dowry deaths and institutionalized gender bias, the BJP’s inaction has led to an alarming rise in crimes against women, despite their supposed commitment to women’s rights.

The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao campaign, in particular, was condemned as a mere propaganda tool, one that does nothing to meet the real needs of women and children in the country. Instead of focusing on the safety, education, and dignity of women, the BJP government has prioritized advancing a pro-corporate, communal agenda that undermines the very foundations of women’s empowerment. The CPI(M) leaders argued that this agenda primarily benefits the elite and corporate interests, while women from marginalized communities, especially poor, rural, and minority women, continue to suffer under the government’s neglect.

(CPIM Politburo member Brinda Karat addressing the women’s march)

In addition to condemning the government’s hypocrisy, the CPI(M) leaders emphasized that the growing incidents of violence and exploitation under the current regime expose the false claims of the RSS-BJP’s commitment to women’s welfare. They argued that the BJP’s policies, deeply rooted in patriarchal, communal, and capitalist ideologies, continue to undermine the rights of women, using women’s welfare as a political tool to gain leverage while doing little to address the real struggles of the working class and marginalized women.

This critique of the BJP-RSS regime was further underscored during the State Conference, where the party passed a resolution presented by CC member CS Sujatha. The resolution highlighted the shocking statistics from the National Crime Bureau Report, which indicated that over 450,000 women were violently attacked in 2022 alone, with a minimum of 10 Dalit women raped every day. The resolution also condemned the Union government’s budget allocation for the protection and empowerment of women, calling it grossly inadequate and reflective of the BJP’s hollow commitment to women’s rights.

However, the resolution also recognized the progress made in Kerala under the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government, led by CPI(M). Unlike other parts of the country, Kerala has seen the development and implementation of several women-friendly initiatives, contributing to the increased participation of women in the workforce. The resolution noted that while the previous CPI(M) manifesto aimed to increase women’s labor force participation to 18%, the LDF government has exceeded expectations, elevating women’s participation by 22%. Furthermore, gender budgeting and auditing have been introduced, alongside the establishment of a separate directorate for women and a dedicated women’s helpline.

The resolution concluded with a strong, unified pledge from the delegates to continue the fight against the exploitative, pro-capitalist, and communal forces that dominate the country’s political landscape. The delegates unanimously passed the resolution, reaffirming their commitment to dismantling the patriarchal and capitalist structures that perpetuate violence and inequality, and to fighting for a society where women’s liberation is central to the struggle for justice and equality.