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 of self-respect and dignity. In doing so they increased the overall sphere of women’s liberation. Moreover, they also linked emancipation of men to the emancipation of women; for they had realized that men also needed to be freed from the yoke of outdated ideas of what constituted ‘manliness’. The impact of women’s struggle led by SS had a far-reaching effect. The bill passed by the Central Government giving thirty percent reservation to women in panchyat raj incorporated most of the content of the declaration made by Shetkari Mahila Aaghadi at its Chandwad Assembly. The training programmes which Aghadi conducted, were most useful for political parties who needed to field women candidates in the elections. Shetkari Mahila Aaghadi’s spade work turned out to be a goldmine for political parties. Nearly two lakh women got their names entered on land ownership papers for the first time due to Laxmi Mukti campaign. Aghadi took this major initiative for empowerment of rural women long before any government thought of such an idea. Laxmi Mukti law enacted by the Maharashtra Government was a direct outcome of Aghadi’s campaign. No other political party or NGO had raised that demand. Shetkari Mahila Aaghadi was always a high point for Joshi. What he wrote about Laxmi Mukti expresses what he felt generally about Mahila Aghadi. He wrote, ‘During the struggles of past twelve years waged by Shetkari Sanghatana, several sad moments came. Home was broken. Sometimes success came, sometimes failure was the outcome. I was often overwhelmed by emotions worrying about how I was going to fulfill this enormous task I had undertaken. But because of the spectacular success of Laxmi Mukti movement all the fatigue and sorrow was washed off and I felt my life has been worthwhile.’ (Shetkari Sanghatak, 22 February 1992) Q

Women Power - New Expression

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