A Joint Action Committee drawn from a group of 30 associations working on women and transgender issues, as well as several individual academics and activists, has released a manifesto for the upcoming Telangana Legislative Assembly elections to be held in December 2018.
The manifesto, based on consultations with all the participating groups and individuals, highlights 14 major issues, including health, education, agriculture, violence, prohibition, labour (especially from the unorganised sector) and discrimination against transgender people.
The Telangana government formed after elections in 2014 did not have a single woman cabinet minister. The TRS government did not have any women in decision-making bodies either.
Speaking at the press conference at which the manifesto was released, cultural activist PA Devi said, “Successive governments have failed to address women’s concerns. All political parties want women to be seen in rallies and political mobilisations but are unwilling to give them space in decision-making bodies. Women are not looking for dole from the governments nor patriarchal promises to wipe their tears, but political participation by way of 33% seats from all parties. The manifesto demands that whichever party comes to power must also allocate 33% of cabinet positions to women.”
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