Guwahati: Ahead of the Assam assembly elections, women activists across the city have called upon political parties and candidates to commit to a gender focused agenda by incorporating a women-centric manifesto into their election promises.Released on Saturday, ahead of International Women’s Day, the manifesto has been prepared by the ‘Assam Feminist Manifesto Collective’, a platform of women’s rights, advocates and civil society members. According to the organisers, nearly 200 women from different sections of society came together to shape the manifesto, which outlines key concerns and demands related to women’s rights and welfare in the state.Anurita Pathak Hazarika, women’s right activist, said the manifesto reflects the voices and experience of women from diverse backgrounds, including farmers, vendors, informal workers, weavers, and survivors of violence. It also includes perspectives of women with disabilities and individuals from marginalised and indigenous communities.“The manifesto highlights several priority areas that need urgent attention. Among them is safety and justice, calling for stronger implementation of laws addressing violence against woman, improved survivor support systems, safer public infrastructure and faster mechanisms of justice,” Anurita said. She also said another focus is climate and environment governance.Gita Rani Bhattacharya, another women’s rights advocate, stressed the need for improved education and livelihood opportunities, urging increased investment in school infrastructures and better access to education in remote areas, while also calling for recognition of women’s labour.“The initiative aims to place women’s issues at the centre of political discourse ahead of the upcoming elections,” she said.
