The Women of Koderma: An Anti Liquor Movement
Taking responsibility for eradicating the social evil of alcohol abuse by the men-folk of their villages, the women of DMMS demonstrate their strength and determination by uniting in large numbers to voice their opposition to the sale of liquor and compelling shopkeepers to shut shop and discard their stock
M ost of the women members of the Damodar Mahila Mandal Sangh (DMMS) Self Help Group (SHG) in Koderma wanted to eradicate the social evil of drinking among the villagers. To create awareness amongst the villagers about alcohol abuse, the women organized an anti-alcohol rally in their block on 23 June 2012.
The women faced many problems because the men were habituated to drinking alcohol and they, the women, were the ones who suffered the most; they were at a loss about how to lessen or eradicate this problem. During the cluster trainings, the SHG members blamed alcohol for their problems and decided to raise a voice against it. Every member knew that this would be a tough task and would lead to disrespect and even harm from the men-folk and society.
At first, many SHG members tried to make their husbands quit drinking. Only some succeeded over a period of two months. They then began to protest against the liquor vendors who, they felt, were also to blame. The agitation against the sellers of alcohol increased day by day. Finally, during the General Body meeting of the SHG of Jainagar, held on 18 June 2012, the leaders of the federation placed on the agenda that strong action should be taken against those selling alcohol otherwise the movement against alcohol would lose its momentum. This led to the preparation of an action plan in which it was decided that a rally would be organized on 23 June 2012. The villages chosen for the rally were Garhai, Garaindih, Nayi Tand and Behradih. The dates for rallies in other villages were to be decided later by the General Body, depending upon the success of the first rally. Four persons took the responsibility of drafting letters and informing the administration (the SP, the SDO and the women’s police station). Others took the responsibility of informing all the SHG members and of bringing them to the venue (Birsa Chowk) on time. The people from PRADAN took the responsibility of preparing slogans, placards, arranging the sound system and inviting the media.