Dr. Ambedkar Women’s Rationalist Movement on Thursday demanded inclusion of women in politics. Calling out to all the political parties to provide 33 per cent reservation for women in the upcoming Assembly elections, the movement stressed the need to bring women representatives in the Assembly in Puducherry.
Lalidamballe, who heads Dr. Ambedkar Women’s Rationalist Movement, along with other social activists on Thursday released a women’s election manifesto for political parties of Puducherry and Tamil Nadu.
The 21-point manifesto brings to the fore the conspicuous absence of women representative in the Puducherry Assembly. The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly consists of 17 women, which forms 7 per cent of the representatives. However, Puducherry did not have a single woman in the last three consecutive legislative Assemblies.
Call to parties
The women’s manifesto underlines that women should vote only to those political parties which announce 33 per cent reservation for them. It called on the parties contesting the elections to include in their agenda a 50 per cent reservation for women in higher education and employment.
“Women are capable of providing good leadership. Why not give an opportunity to them. If not, at least make space for the women to get into the political sphere,” said Nagajothi, a social activist.
They also demanded that a new scheme should be implemented to increase girl child ratio in the districts of Cuddalore, Villupuram and Puducherry.
Steps should be taken to eradicate the wage discrimination between men and women in government and non-government organisations. “The government should take steps to implement complete prohibition to change the crucial situation of widow and the deserted women in society,” Ms. Nagajothi said.
21 demands
The activists laid down 21 demands; stressing that only through proper representation of women these would be fulfilled. Every political party should recognise this right of women to participate in elections and implement them before the elections.
While TN Assembly consists of 17 women, Puducherry has none to represent
