Priyanka Gandhi Birthday: Eight Times The Politician Stood Up For Women's Issues

Born on January 12, 1972, Priyanka Gandhi will be celebrating her 50th birthday this year. The general secretary of the All India Congress Committee has played a significant part in India's politics. She has voiced her opinion on various issues of society including issues regarding women. On Priyanka Gandhi birthday, we remember those times when she raised her voice for the women of India.

We often see Priyanka giving her opinion on various matters, sometimes behind the podium, sometimes through social media and sometimes standing her ground among the victims of social injustices. She stands as a role model for many girls out there as she constantly inspires them to put forward their thoughts and feelings without any pressure and fear. Here are the times when Priyanka stood for women's issues.

Priyanka Gandhi Birthday: Times She Stood Up For Women's Issues

When She sat On Silent Protest Against Mishandling Of Women In UP

During the UP elections for District Panchayat President and Block Chief held in 2021, there were cases of violence against women and candidates of other parties. Women filing their candidature were assaulted and the Bharatiya Janta Party politicians were accused of the malpractices. Priyanka Gandhi visited Lucknow in July to organise a silent protest in front of Gandhi statue against the UP Government for the mishandling of women during the elections.

When She Bore Educational Expenses Of Bihar's Cycle Girl Jyoti

During the 2020 pandemic, the migrant workers faced the brunt. Jyoti came into the limelight when she brought her father back to Bihar from Haryana on a cycle. Her father died on May 31, 2021 due to cardiac arrest depriving her family of the sole bread winner. During these times, Priyanka came forward to provide financial assistance to Jyoti to continue her and her siblings' education without hurdles.

When She Slammed BJP For Harassment Of Nuns

During March 2021, some Kerala nuns travelling by train with two girls were asked about their religion and identity proofs by members of Bharatiya Janta Party youth wing. The alleged harassment of the nuns during their journey was condemned by the Congress politician and she slammed the BJP led union government and RSS for neglecting women issues that prevailed in the country.

When She Asked UP CM To Punish Her Instead Of Diligent Policewomen

During the Lakhimpur Violence, Priyanka Gandhi was detained while she was her way to Agra to meet the family of a man who had died in police custody. During the detention, she was approached by a group of policewomen who asked her for a selfie and the politician agreed. The DCP was asked to look into the matter and ensure whether there was a breach of regulations from the side of policewomen. To this, Gandhi tweeted that UP CM was so troubled with her visit that he wanted to take action against them. She asked him to punish her instead of the "hard working and diligent policewomen".

When She Stood For Activist Disha Ravi

The environmental activist from Bengaluru, Disha Ravi was arrested by Delhi Police for allegedly circulating a toolkit prepared for the farmers protest. The same toolkit was shared by environmental activist Greta Thunberg. Priyanka called out the Delhi Police for arresting an unarmed girl who scared them. She demanded her release.

When She Encouraged Women To Speak Up For Their Safety

During October 2020, Priyanka Gandhi tweeted about the rising crimes against women. She called the act of accusing women for such crimes instead of giving them justice as a cowardly act. In another tweet, Priyanka asked women to take their safety in their hands and to end the silence. Her tweets came during the time when India witnessed the heart wrenching Hathras Gangrape case.

When She Stood Up For The Woman Gangraped In Hathras

Priyanka Gandhi tried hard to personally meet the woman's family. She rapped the UP government as they failed to provide women security. She attended the prayer meet of the woman to show support to her family. She raised her voice against the mishandling of the case by the government. The character-assassination and victim-shaming of the deceased woman was highly condemned and called 'shameless' by the Congress secretary.

Priyanka's Elections 2022 Manifesto Is All About Women

Priyanka launched the 'pink manifesto' that talks about exercising women empowerment. The manifesto includes 40 per cent reservation of tickets for women candidates, distribution of scooter and mobiles to 12th pass girls, increasing honorarium of ASHA workers in UP and also the launching of Ladki Hoon Lad Sakti Hoon campaign to empower women to fight for their rights. All this will come into action if the Congress party is voted to power in Uttar Pradesh.

Views expressed by the author are their own. 

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