2013 International Women’s Day was celebrated by Nishtha in the afternoon of March 8th in Rakkar village. The Gram Panchayat meeting ground was very colorfully decorated with lots of posters and banners proclaiming the theme of the event: ‘Violence Free Society’.
Around 270 women joined the event from five local women’s groups along with a hundred single women and many local village women. The programme began with the lightening of a lamp by social activist Dr Kishwar Shirali and Nishtha director Dr. Barbara Nath-Wiser along with a welcome song by the Rakkar women’s stitching group.
Nishtha staff Radha and Ravindra introduced the items, skillfully entertaining the crowd and discussing the issue of domestic violence. Nishtha Single women’s group performed a colourful and meaningful play on the dowry system and domestic violence. Local folk singers Vijay and Vandhana sung beautiful local folk songs which was followed by a play on the environment and clean water by Nishtha staff. Two Nepali girls and Felix, our Austrian civil servant performed a dance to lord Krishna`s love song.
Then Dr. Kishwar Shirali addressed the crowd on the subject of violence against women and their safety before the finale, the performance of local Gaddi folk songs and dances by the local youth club artists, dressed in our traditional Gaddi costumes and jewelry.
Before they left, refreshments were distributed to the women and those who had performed were gifted Nishtha cloth bags.
