Two Leading Political Parties Release Manifestos Ahead Of The General Elections 2024: What’s In Store For Women?

India's leading political parties have unveiled their manifestos ahead of the much-anticipated general elections 2024. From promising advancements in technology, innovation, sports, and regional development, among other sectors to announcing ambitious infrastructure projects, many impressive strategies have been proposed to enhance India's global standing. Amidst the grand pledges, women were eagerly anticipating what the political parties have in store for them.

Interestingly, the leading political parties have discussed reforms and new initiatives for women in their upcoming term. Along with that, the issue that has been persistent for decades now, safety wasn’t overlooked, either. 

As the elections draw near, Siddharth Chandrashekhar, Advocate and Legal Counsel, Bombay High Court and Supreme Court helped us decipher the manifestos of India's two leading parties - the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Indian National Congress, concerning women in India.

What's In Store For Women?

Indian National Congress

• Congress resolves to launch a Mahalakshmi scheme to provide ₹1 lakh to every poor Indian family. The amount will be transferred to the account of the oldest woman in the household and in the absence of any woman, to the oldest member of the family. This scheme will be rolled out in stages, and reviewed every year for its impact.
• The one-third reservation for women will be applied to the State Assemblies that will be elected in the next round of Assembly elections in 2025. The one-third reservation for women will also be applied to the Lok Sabha that will be elected in 2029.
• Half (50 percent) of central government jobs for women starting in 2025 will be reserved for women.
• More women will be appointed to higher positions such as judges, secretaries to government, high-ranking police officers, law officers, and directors on the boards of listed companies.
• All laws will be scrutinised for gender discrimination and gender bias. The offending provisions will be removed or amended in the first year of the Congress government.
• Women will be paid based of the ‘Same Work, Same Wages’ principle to prevent discrimination in wages for women.
• The central government will double its contribution to the pay of frontline health workers (such as ASHA, Anganwadi, Mid-Day Meal cooks, etc.)
• There will be an increase in the amount credited to Self Help Groups by banks, Non-Banking Financial Companies, and Micro Finance Institutions.
• Expansion of women's participation in the workforce with safe places to work, fair and equal wages, childcare services, prevention of sexual harassment and violence, and maternity benefits.
• Bhartiya Mahila Bank (Women’s Bank) will be re-incorporated. 
• Laws will be reviewed to ensure equality between men and women.

• Laws intended to prevent offences against women, such as the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, and the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 will also be strictly enforced. 

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• Night shelters will be built for migrant women workers. 
• More safe and hygienic public toilets for women will be provided in towns and cities. 
• Free sanitary napkin vending machines will be installed in public spaces, schools, and colleges.
• There will be an increase in the number of working women hostels, with at least one in each district.
• Every Panchayat will have an Adhikar Maitri to educate women and help them with claiming their legal rights.
• Sufficient funds will be allocated to promote sports among girls and women, persons with disabilities, and disadvantaged groups, such as ST.
• Amend the laws to make workplaces safer for women workers and with facilities for the care of small children and facilitate travel to such workplaces.
• Travel/transport will be made safer for women and children, especially in towns and cities. 
• More opportunities for women to serve in combatant and non-combatant roles in the Armed Forces.
• Perpetrators of crimes against women, SC, ST, and minorities as well as their sponsors will be punished by law.

Bharatiya Janata Party 

• Three crore rural women will be empowered to become Lakhpati Didis.
• Women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) will be empowered to increase income. 
• Self-help groups (SHGs) will be integrated with ongoing initiatives such as One District One Product (ODOP), Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), Ekta Mall, ONDC, GEM, One Station One Product (OSOP), to improve better market access to their products.
• With the development of infrastructure such as creches, and working women hostels, there will be an increased participation of women in the workforce.
• Increased women's participation in sports with women sportsperson-focused programmes and facilities. 
• Public and individual toilets will be built under the Swachh Bharat Mission.
• Expansion of existing health services focussed on the prevention and reduction of anaemia, breast cancer, cervical cancer, and osteoporosis, ensuring a healthy life for women.
• Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam will be implemented to ensure e representation for women in the Parliament and State Legislatures.

• More Shakti Desks (Women Help Desks) in police stations will be introduced for timely investigation.
• The Emergency Response Support System will be strengthened.
• Special attention will be given to women of coastal communities with production and processing clusters.

The party will also adopt a Uniform Civil Code (UCC). Further explaining this reform, Siddharth Chandrashekhar, Advocate and Legal Counsel, Bombay High Court and Supreme Court said, "At present, personal laws in India are based on religious customs and traditions, leading to different legal standards for individuals belonging to different religious communities. This results in perceived disparities in rights and protections, particularly concerning women's rights. The idea behind a Uniform Civil Code is to apply a common set of laws governing personal matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, and adoption for all citizens, irrespective of an individual’s religion."

"A stance in favour of a Uniform Civil Code from a gender equality perspective reflects a belief that uniformity in personal laws is essential for ensuring gender equality and protecting the rights of women. Implementation of a Uniform Civil Code could harmonise various personal laws and ensure equal rights and protections for all individuals, irrespective of their religious affiliations. This can be perceived as an emphasis on the need to draw upon the best traditions while adapting them to modern times, indicating a desire to preserve cultural and religious diversity while promoting gender equality and individual rights," he added.

Both parties have prioritised women's safety and equality in their agendas. We hope that the incoming leadership will bring positive change for women, fostering a safer and more equitable nation.

Disclaimer: This piece is crafted based on the election manifestos of political parties. It is free of any personal perspective or bias.