Parties’ manifestos mum on women’s safety

Notwithstanding the barrage of condolence messages and statements on the death of the rape victim from politicians, political parties have little to show by way of commitment to women’s safety in public places, their places of work and homes.

A simple analysis of political parties’ manifestos in the run-up to the 2009 general elections is evidence that not one major political party included the subject of sexual violence in its core agenda, though each one promised greater political representation to women.

Party manifestos offer not a single fresh idea on tackling molestation, the growing incidence of rape, or sexual violence from men in positions of power. In fact, with the exception of the Left parties, the issue does not even find mention.

The Congress manifesto maintains complete silence on gender violence, though it pledges “security, dignity and prosperity” for every citizen, makes repeated references to social justice for all and states its intent to battle all divisive forces.

Despite making all the right noises about inclusive growth and “empowerment of the weaker sections,” its promises for women voters appear clubbed in a section on health and nutrition. Its one-line assurance on sex crimes is “a new law to protect women from domestic violence.”

The long-pending draft law to reserve seats for women in the Lok Sabha and state legislatures gets traction in all party manifestos. The Congress, which itself makes the promise once again and even proposes one-third of all central government jobs for women, is also the subject of ridicule in other parties’ manifestos for failing to pass the law.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) says the Congress “had neither the conviction to introduce the legislation nor the courage to stand up to its allies.”

The Left ventures to say the bill’s fate was sealed by the dependence of UPA -1 on the Samajwadi Party following the Left’s withdrawal. Even the Janata Dal (Secular) claims credit for introducing reservations in political representation for women in local bodies in Karnataka.

The BJP manifesto, which includes a section on security titled ‘Fear Shall no Longer Stalk This Land,’ says nothing about sexual violence. While its section on labour reforms ignores women workers, it does include a section on women’s empowerment or ‘nari shakti’ in which it schemes to encourage girls to attend school, give bank accounts to women, provide bicycles to schoolgirls and more.

The manifesto says nothing concrete about making public places safe for women, but enigmatically assures “strengthening of laws” to check female foeticide, dowry, child marriage, trafficking and rape. Before once again, insisting on a uniform civil code, it says, “The CrPC will be amended to ensure that the rights of rape victims are not diminished and the guilty are not able to tamper with evidence or escape the law. A special programme will be launched in cooperation with state governments to ensure full security for women.”  

The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP is the only party to start a ‘yuvati’ wing to nurture a new generation of women leaders in a state that has already okayed 50% reservation for women in local bodies. It also promises women’s empowerment through reservation in Parliament and in state legislative bodies. In addition, the NCP manifesto for 2009 promises to enact a law against sexual harassment at places of work.

The Janata Dal (S) manifesto of April 2009, drafted by former prime minister Deve Gowda, lauds itself on introducing 33% political reservation for women in Karnataka’s local bodies. Its section titled ‘Empowering Women And Youth’ says nothing in addition to seeking passage of the women’s reservation bill.