AIPWA Public Hearing in Kolkata for Gender Justice
A public hearing titled Amader Katha (Our Voice) was organised by All India Progressive Women's Association (AIPWA) in Kolkata, amplifying the call for Justice for RGKar, demanding justice in brutal rape and murder of an on-duty doctor at R. G. Kar Medical College & Hospital. The horrific incident has ignited a mass movement in West Bengal, with people demanding urgent reforms to ensure workplace safety, dignity, and equal rights for women and marginalised genders.
The hearing, held on September 30, brought together women from both organised and unorganised sectors, including midday meal workers, agrarian labourers, students, adivasi rural workers, teachers, domestic workers, as well as trans and queer women. Cultural activists also shared their experiences, highlighting the daily struggles women face due to wage gaps, lack of safety, discrimination, and persistent gender-based violence.
Speakers at the event emphasised the failure of the government to ensure gender justice and equality. They spoke about the harassment faced by women at home, on the streets, in public transport, and in workplaces, expressing how the ongoing movement has empowered them to demand justice despite the odds. The rallying cry of "Reclaim the nights, reclaim the rights" was heard loud and clear, pushing for structural changes to dismantle the entrenched rape culture and ensure freedom without fear for all women.
The demands put forth at the hearing included transparent investigations and 100% conviction in gender violence cases, the formation of effective Internal Complaints Committees (ICCs) and Local Complaints Committees (LCCs), the availability of 24x7 public transport and safe toilets, and the introduction of gender studies in school curriculums. A comprehensive Gender Audit was also called for to hold the government accountable and take concrete action against systemic gender violence.
The hearing noted that the police, administration, authorities continue to remain gender insensitive and that there is a need to ensure effective procedures to address cases of gender violence as per the Verma Committee recommendations and Sexual Harassment of Women (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013.
The public hearing organised by AIPWA is part of a larger movement that aims to transform society by ensuring fearless freedom and justice for women and marginalised gender identities, from workplaces to the streets, day and night. The fight for #JusticeForGKar has become a rallying point for gender justice in West Bengal, and the demand for a safer, more equal society continues to grow stronger.
The hearing reaffirmed that battle is far from over, and this movement stands determined to push for justice and freedom for women.
