"Women’s Manifesto 2021" Raised By Assamese Women's Rights Group Before Elections

Assam Elections: A women’s rights group in Assam raised a list of demands from the political parties contesting the assembly elections.

The “Women’s Manifesto 2021” was prepared by five different organisations that are working in the field on gender equality. They raised their demands to the political parties so that they recognise the issues that are faced by women and include them in their plan during campaigning.

The demands included adequate security for them to earn their livelihoods, increased reservation for women in elected bodies, better health facilities, better educational facilities, and equitable economic participation.

The North East Network State Coordinator Anurita Pathak Hazarika stated that “The manifesto is a collective process through which women from various backgrounds and social groups have come together to draw attention to the gaps that exist in attaining gender equality and development in Assam.”

The five organisations that prepared the Women’s Manifesto-2021 are the North East Network (NEN), Purba Bharati Educational Trust (PBET), Women in Governance (WinG), Women’s Leadership Training Centre (WLTC), and Xobdo.

According to WLTC’s Banamallika Choudhury the priority of the elected representatives needs to be ensuring that the Women Reservation Bill is passed immediately. Also, 33 per cent reservation for women candidates in the legislative assembly and the Parliament needs to assured.

The Women’s Manifesto 2021 called for 50 per cent reservation of seats for women in district autonomous councils, 10 per cent reservation for the LGBTQIA community in political parties, and special provision for representation of women with disabilities in political parties.

Assam Elections will begin from March 27, 2021, and will go on till May 2.