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WOMEN COMMISSION History
In the AICUF
history, from time to time in tune with the ideological orientation of the
movement, the structure and functions of movement takes new change. In the
90’s with the blossoming of marginalized students leadership, the AICUF has
experienced the emergence of four Commissions –Women, Tribal, Dalits and
Refugees. The intuition for emergence of commissions can be traced
from the late 80’s.
After
AICUF has formally proclaimed its option for the emancipation of women by
affirming ‘women’ as one of the thrust areas in 1989, in the 3rd
AICUF National Convention, it has taken serious efforts in creating space
for women students to grow in leadership. In the same way, AICUF reflected
on the part of Dalit and Tribal students. Thus the idea of Independent
space for marginalized students (Dalit, Women and Tribals) within AICUF
emerged in the early 90’s, after the 1989 convention.
Immediately, after the 1989 Convention a few
states have taken initiatives to implement this idea of creating independent
space for women students in AICUF by way of organizing exclusive camps for
women students.For e.g., Tamil Nadu, organized its first State level
women’s camp in December 1990. Orissa AICUF organized a seminar in January
1992. Kerala and West Bengal AICUF organized state level women’s meet in
December 1992.
Simultaneously, the efforts of bringing women
students together were also initiated at the National level. After the 1989
convention, the first annual women’s meet at National level was held from
18-23 June 1991 at AICUF House, Chennai.In the mean time, the Women’s
National Conference organized by Student Christian Movement of India (SCMI) on October 1989, in
Bangalore and the Asia level Women’s meet organized by International
Movement of Catholic Students in 1989 in Pattaya, Thailand enriched the
AICUF women leaders who participated in those programmmes.
At the initial stage, the idea of
‘independent space’ for women students was reflected in the form of holding
Annual women’s meet. Later, this experience kindled the women students
(other marginalized students Dalits, Tribals too) to come up with proposal
of setting up independent forum or commission for women students within
AICUF. The process of setting up a commission has evolved. Discussions and
debates held in the National Councils. Finally, women’s commission with
the name women’s forum came into existence in 1994’ and later a full-fledged
commission was set up with the approval from 4th National
Convention, held in June 1999.
Women’s Commission in AICUF didn’t come up in
a day. It took years…it evolved from the experiences… Very many have
worked for it.
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Authorization/Actualization :(
1999 onwards…)
The fourth National Convention, which was held
together with Platinum celebration of AICUF from 9-12, June 1999, approved
the commission.
1999-2000 -The first Annual Women’s
Commission Meet after the Commission for formally approved in the Convention
held in December 1999, at AICUF House. The Commission members and the
executive team were elected.
2000 –2003 -The Women’s Commission Co-ordinators,
National Team Women members and Women Full-timers played a major role in
strengthening the Women’s Commission. They visited the states, analyzed the
situation of women students in their societies and in AICUF. They insisted
on the need of Women’s Commission at State level and encouraged States to
come up activities for women students at State level and form State Women’s
Commission.
1999- 2003 In this period, the NWC has
organized regular Workshops for Women’s
Students at National level. Besides,
they also held NWC representatives meet, which
strengthened the women’s commission to a
greater extent.
2000 – 2004 In this period, several
states including Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and Karnataka
have organized State level Women’s Convention
for Women Students.
2002 – 2004 Based on the proposal from
the Women Commission, the National Council
2002, gave approval to hold National Women’s
Convention. Towards National
Convention a consultation was held in June
2003 and it was also discussed in the
National Council 2003.
29 Dec 2004 to 1 Jan, 2005 The great event
took place at St. Xavier’s College Campus, Ahmedabad...More than 450 women
students gathered to grace the Convention. The theme was
“A leap towards greater
heights for human liberation”
to know more about this convention, kindly
contact aicuf@aicuf.net
From then onwards, the Commission moves with a
focus and orientation to take up
issues that seriously concern women. The 2005 Summer
camp was with the Santali
Tribal people in Dumka area. 2006 summer camp is with the
Trafficked women and
children in Mumbai....
The journey goes on... more meaningfully
issue-based.
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Aims and Objectives of Women’s Commission
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To enable women students to take leadership
and participate in the decision making process both in AICUF and the
Society.
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To create a platform, which will enable the
women students to discuss the day-to-day problems faced by each individual
in the various social set-up.
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To counter and fight the challenges posed by
the male-dominated society.
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To enable the women students to analyze and
discuss the root cause of the problems faced by women in the larger
socio-economic, political and religious background.
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To respond to question of women as a student
body both inside and outside the campus.
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