The All India Democratic Women's Association (AIDWA) (in Hindi: अखिल भारतीय जनवादी महिला समिति) is the women's wing of the Communist Party of India (Marxist).[1]
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The All India Democratic Women's Association, AIDWA was established in 1981,[2] and works for women's rights and for their education, employment and status, along with issues like casteism,[1] communalism, child rights and disaster aid.[3]
AIDWA has an annual membership fee of one rupee, which allows it policy-independence from donor agencies and government.[3] In 2007, it had over 10 million members, spread across 23 states.[4]
The first National Conference of AIDWA was held at Chennai in 1981, with delegates from 12 States representing 590,000 members.
The eighth National Conference was held at Kolkata in 2007, with 951 delegates from 23 States, representing a membership of around 18,600,000. Former West Bengal Chief Minister, Jyoti Basu addressed the inaugural session.[5]
Its regional affiliates include Paschimbangla Ganatantrik Mahila Samiti (West Bengal), Ganatantrik Nari Samiti (Tripura), and Janwadi Mahila Sanghatan (Maharashtra).
Shyamali Gupta has been elected as AIDWA