International Women's Day 2019: ''Womanifesto'' Released Ahead of General Elections

Just two days before the International Women's Day on 8^th March 2019, the National Alliance of Women's Organisations has released the ''Womanifesto'' for consideration of all political parties for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Some of the points that were raised in the ''Womanifesto'' on 6^th March 2019 included creation of 1 crore jobs for women in the next 5 years, ensuring their involvement in peace-making process as well as in decision-making bodies dealing with the environment and offering 33 per cent tickets to women candidates.

Director of Centre for Social Research, Ranjana Kumari said, "National & regional parties need to give more tickets to female candidates so as to increase their number and in that way influence policies that reflect women's holistic development".

Few other demands that were put down in the manifesto are free treatment of rape & acid attack victims in all hospitals and also providing free sanitary napkins to girls in the schools.

The manifesto further said, "All houses must be registered in the name of husband & wife and marital rape should be criminalized. At least, 1/3^rd seats in all internal committees of political parties must be reserved for women". 

The manifesto also pitched for allotment of 30 % of the annual budget for growth and development of females under gender budgeting provisions and loan waivers for the women farmers if they are not able to pay it due to unavoidable conditions.

It also asked for creation of 1 crore jobs for women in the next 5 years, especially in the sectors like Information and Technology, health, education and consultancy.

The manifesto also demanded inclusion of females in all decision-making bodies that deals with climate change and environment & 50 % participation in all peace committees for the resolution of internal & external arguments as they are the biggest sufferers of conflicts.

It also said, "The Ministry of External Affairs, the Ministry of Home Affairs & home departments of all the state governments need to form peace committees and make sure that at least 50 % of the members are women”.