On the occasion of International Women's Day on 8 Mar — as the stir on Shambhu and Khanauri inter-state borders entered the 25th day — women farmers took center stage. The women conducted a panchayat (gathering) in which their leaders addressed the audience. The women farmers said the ongoing stir will continue till the Center accepts the demands of the farmers. As per the Annual Periodic Labor Force Survey, 2021-2022, agriculture has the highest estimated female labor force participation of 62.9%. Another estimate says 78% of India's employed women work in agriculture. About 84% of women depend on agriculture for their livelihood. They make up about 33% of cultivators and about 47% percent of agricultural laborers. These statistics do not account for work in livestock, fisheries and various other ancillary forms of food production in the country. On 10 Mar, the farmers participated in rail roko (stopping trains) between 12-4 pm. The Kisan Mazdoor Manch and Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) blocked trains in 52 locations, other unions blocked them at 10 locations in Panjab. Though the rail roko was a nationwide call, only farmers from Haryana, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu blocked trains in their states. Section 144 (prevention of gathering of more than 5 people) was clamped in Haryana ahead of the rail roko and the police reached the houses of several farmer union leaders. Meanwhile, after 22 days of the stir, the Chandigarh-Ambala highway has been partially opened for commuters.
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