Push women’s issues in manifestos, parties urged

With the 16th Lok Sabha election process kicking off amid growing crimes against women, nine women’s organisations have raised issues, such as political and land rights, food security, safety and employment.

“The outcome of these elections will greatly impact women’s struggles for safety, equality and progress… These issues need to be mainstreamed in the political agenda and in future Government policy,” said a statement issued by All India Democratic Women’s Association, the National Federation of Indian Women, Centre for Women’s Development Studies, YWCA, All Indian Women’s Conference, Joint Women’s Programme, among others.

Releasing a charter of demands for the forthcoming elections, the organisations urged political parties to ensure enactment of the Women’s Reservation Bill to reserve one-third seats in Parliament and State Assemblies, universalisation of the public distribution system, excluding only taxpayers, removal of cap on subsidised LPG cylinders, expansion of mid-day meals, among other issues.

The charter also calls inclusion of women’s self-help groups as part of priority sector credit sector and seeks laws to stringently regulate microfinance institutions and money-lending.

“A minimum universal non-contributory publicly funded pension for Rs 2,000 a month for all women above the age of 55 years, all widows and disabled women irrespective of age,” is also required to protect the growing vulnerability of this huge section of the population.

As regards growing sexual crimes and safety, the charter sought implementation of all the recommendations of the Justice Verma Committee Report and inclusion of sexual violence against women from Scheduled Castes and Tribes and minority communities as “aggravated sexual assault.”

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