Women tea garden workers turn flag-bearers of gender equality in Dibrugarh

Dibrugarh: Clad in traditional attire, hundreds of tea garden workers walked down the winding lanes of the Mohanbari Tea Estate, advocating for their rights on International Women’s Day.Under the banner of the Assam Chah Mazdoor Sangha (ACMS) women’s wing, the workers raising slogans for better wages, improved working conditions, and recognition of their contributions to Assam’s iconic tea industry.The procession, which wound its way through the garden’s green expanse served as a reminder of the strength and perseverance of women who toil daily in the fields, often under difficult conditions, to sustain one of India’s most celebrated industries.

“The women of our tea gardens are the backbone of Assam’s tea industry. They wake before dawn, work through rain and sun, and yet their wages remain among the lowest in the country. Today, we march not just to celebrate womanhood, but to demand what is rightfully ours — dignity, fair wages, and a future for our children,” said Prarthana Tanti Satnami, secretary of the women’s wing of Assam Chah Mazdoor Sangha (ACMS).Workers who participated in the rally expressed both pride and frustration.

“We have been picking tea leaves for decades, but our voices are rarely heard. Today is our day to stand together and remind the world that without us, there is no tea,” said Sumitra Majhi, a veteran tea plucker who joined the march.ACMS vice president Nabin Keot highlighted the persistent issues faced by women in tea estates, including inadequate healthcare facilities, lack of creche services and insufficient housing.

He called upon state govt and tea garden management to address these long-standing grievances without further delay.“International Women’s Day is also a reminder that the fight for gender equality is far from over, especially for our sisters in the tea gardens, who continue to face systemic neglect,” he said.The event concluded with cultural performances by women workers, who sang and danced to traditional Jhumur folk tunes, transforming the garden lanes into a vibrant celebration of womanhood, culture and collective hope.