On 5th March, 2025, the Gramin Mahila Kendras of North East Network (NEN), Assam, commemorated International Women’s Day (IWD), 2025, while celebrating three decades of NEN’s commitment towards gender justice and equality. Held across six districts—Darrang, Dhemaji, Golaghat, Kamrup (R), Sonitpur, and Udalguri—the events brought together around 700 participants including women leaders, youth, weavers, farmers, home-based workers, peer educators, and representatives from 11 government and non-government organisations, all united in their shared vision for a just and equitable world.
With the theme “Action . Equality . Justice,” the celebration was a powerful assertion of women’s voices, struggles, and triumphs. Cultural performances including Bodo, Rabha, Mising, Tiwa, and Karbi dances, Ujapali were some of the highlights of the events. Dance dramas, plays, musical performances and poetry recitations from the events echoed the lived experiences of women and their fight for justice.
At the heart of the event were conversations on gender equality and collective action. NEN’s community mobilisers, women’s farmers, weavers, home-based workers associated with the organisation, youth from Mirdan Youth Collective of NEN shared their journeys, recounting how the organisation’s interventions have fostered leadership, economic independence, and solidarity, and strengthened their fight against gender inequalities. Key stakeholders, including lawyers, police and representatives from One Stop Centres (OSC), District Social Welfare (DSW) offices, Gaon Panchayats, Department of Women and Child Development (WCD), Health and Family Welfare, Nagarik Committee, Village Defence Party (VDP), NGOs and educational institutions, stood in solidarity, recognising the importance of sustained efforts in advancing gender justice. Their participation underscored the need for a collective, multi-stakeholder approach for a more inclusive society.
For three decades, NEN has worked in the communities with women from diverse backgrounds advocating for their rights, strengthening their leadership, and building resilient collectives. This year’s IWD celebration was not just a reflection on the past but a powerful commitment to the future—a call to action for individuals, institutions, and policymakers to take steps towards shaping communities where gender equality is a reality.
