Telangana Women's Commission remains rudderless

Hyderabad: A non-partisan, women-centric movement initiated to make the Telangana Women Commission fully-functional through a Change.org petition #WomComMatters, started by Spurthi Kolipaka, a Hyderabad-based social worker has been endorsed by three noted women leaders of including Congress MLA Danasari Anasuya (popularly known as Seethakka), Prof Jyothsna, TDP Telugu Mahila President and Prof Sujatha Surepally, Dalit Women's Collective. The three leaders posted statements in support the online campaign.

Congress MLA Danasuri Anasuya (Seethakka) who had raised the issue of the head-less commission in the state Legislative Assembly earlier on 8th Oct, said, "My petition as of now has over 26,000 signatures. Recently, even the Telangana High Court gave a one week's notice to the Govt. asking for a response.

It's been three weeks since and we haven't heard anything yet." Another firebrand of Telangana, Prof Jyothsna also endorsed the petition and informed that she and her team have also been aggressively pursuing this cause for last three months to no vain.

She further adds, "There is an urgent need to activate the Women's Commission in Telangana. And that begins with appointing a Chairperson immediately, particularly now during the pandemic when crimes against women have been rising.

I had met the Chief Secretary of Telangana in mid-August and written to the Chief Minister's Office to prioritize this matter. Three months have passed and there has been no movement in this matter. It is extremely irksome that we have to beg for our rights as women. Why is it that only the Women's Commission is being treated this way?"

Prof Surepally, Head of Department, Sociology, Satavahana University, and represents Dalit Women's Collective from the state of Telangana wrote that a full-fledged women's commission will not only investigate breach of rights but will also give concrete suggestions to the government in this respect. She writes further, "I hope that we can fulfil our dream of having a separate SC/ST Women's Commission or a Dalit Women's Commission as the nature of atrocities on these women are different than others."

Reacting to all 3 endorsements, Spurthi said that 26,000 common citizens have signed her petition. She adds, "The support of these women stalwarts from across the political spectrum is extremely significant for me and renewed my resolve in this two-year long quest. Recently, even the Telangana High Court gave a one week's notice to the Govt. asking for a response.

It's been three weeks since and we haven't heard anything yet! My next step is to go meet Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, to formally deliver my petition and appeal to him to action the long-delayed appointment of the Chairperson. I would also like to show him the website that my 100-steont volunteer group created called WomComMatters.in. We want the State Women's Commission to have such a website, one-stop resource for women in distress."

Responding to the support pouring in for Spurthi's campaign, Nida Hasan, Country Director, Change.org India, said, "It's inspiring to see these women leaders raising their voice for a functioning women's commission. The fact that Change.org as a platform has mobilized massive public opinion around this glaring issue, bringing everyone together, makes it all the more special.

I really hope the government of Telangana listens to these concerns, and fulfills its statutory mandate to put in place a functioning women's commission."