Women's Manifesto by rights groups for Assam assembly polls

Increased reservation for women in elected bodies, adequate security for m to earn ir livelihoods, equitable ecomic participation, better health and education facilities are among major highlights that women rights groups in Assam have demanded from political parties contesting assembly election.

'Womens Manifesto-2021', prepared by five organizations working in field of equality have put forward ir demands to political parties and contesting candidates so that y recognise issues faced by women and include se in ir plan and promises during campaigning and include m in list once elected, rth East Network (NEN) State Coordinator Anurita Pathak Hazarika said.

" manifesto is a collective process through which women from various backgrounds and social groups have come toger to draw attention to gaps that exist in attaining equality and development in Assam", she said.

manifesto has been prepared by NEN, Purba Bharati Educational Trust (PBET), Women in Governance (WinG), Women's Leadership Training Centre (WLTC) and Xobdo, Assam. priority of elected representatives must be to ensure that Women Reservation Bill is passed immediately and 33 per cent reservation for women candidates in legislative assembly and Parliament was assured, WITC's Banamallika Choudhury said.

manifesto also urged appropriate representation and participation of women at decision making level in local governing bodies/councils, public committees, to facilitate regular Mahila Gram Sabhas so that women can voice ir concerns and women representatives highlight ir issues.

women's groups have also called for 50 per cent reservation of seats for women in district automous councils, ten per cent reservation for LBTQIA+ community in political parties, special provision for representation of women with disability in political parties .

A state policy for women's safety and protection with adequate budgetary allocation and to establish womens safety committees at all levels with equal representation of all s must be formulated and government must tify all shelter homes in state as service providers according to Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, PBED's Bondita Acharya said.

women's groups have also called for implementation of Supreme Court guidelines in Assam to strictly monitor, regulate sale of acid and formulate state rules to effectively implement Assam Witch Hunting (Prohibition, Prevention and Protection) Act, 2018, establish and activate fast track courts for easy and affordable access to justice by aggrieved women.

groups have also demanded that n-political, professional women with experiences on women's issues should head regulatory bodies such as State Commissions for Women, State Social Welfare Advisory Board, State Police Accountability Commission and ors.

All political parties must ensure qualitative improvement in health services through strengning of physical facilities like provision of essential equipment, supply of essential drugs and consumables, infrastructure and staff availability, most importantly at primary and secondary levels in far flung areas, Xobdo's Arpana Choudhury said.

groups also called for immediate and effective implementation of 'Guidelines and Protocols Medico Legal Care for Survivors/Victims of Sexual Violence' by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for comprehensive health care response while dealing with persons from vulnerable groups such as persons with disabilities, sex workers, LBTQIA+ persons, children, etc.

Regarding ecomic empowerment and livelihood for women, groups have called upon political parties to ensure equal ws for women and men through strict implementation of Equal Remuneration Act, 1976 and Code on Ws, 2019 which mandate equal w and prohibit discriminatory ws based on , Choudhury said.

y also urged elected representatives to initiate women's land ownership drive to build awareness and incentives to women and households with women land owners and provide more opportunities for women with land to take loans, grants and participate in agri-entrepreneurship programmes. women's manifesto also urged MLAs to look at vulnerabilities of abused, deserted and single women and provide m with benefits under Rural Housing Programme.

peoples representatives must also increase investment in -transformatic education methods, prepare a financial roadmap for implementation of RTE Act and National Education Policy, establishment of systems to monitor girls' re-enrolment as mandated by NEP, and include equality chapter in curriculum from school to university levels, Acharya said.