A delegation of women’s rights groups on Thursday called on finance minister P Chidambaram with a memorandum demanding a “gender sensitive” budget.
A delegation of women’s rights groups meets the finance minister on Thursday with a list of demands
NEW DELHI: A delegation of women’s rights groups on Thursday called on finance minister P Chidambaram with a memorandum demanding a “gender sensitive” budget.
They urged the finance minister to involve women’s organisations in his pre-budget consultations to enhance and strengthen the gender component in the budget. “Given the impact that the budget has on women as members of the labour force, as citizens, and as homemakers, we feel that this inclusion is essential,” the group members said.
Chidambaram assured the delegation that he will look into their concerns specially those related to widows’ pension. He also advised them to approach different state governments and make them accountable as it is their responsibility to ensure that the funds allocated by the centre are utilised to the maximum.
The members also sought additional budgetary allocations and steps to strengthen schemes benefiting women and children. The women activists said there is a need for a major step up in outlays for welfare and social security schemes for women and children.
In particular, widow pension schemes, shelters for women in distress, hostels for single working women with or without children, and shelters for children need support to expand and improve their quality of services. The restriction on widows with sons losing their eligibility for receiving pension should be done away with, they added.
The delegation comprised Sudha Sundararaman and Kirti Singh (AIDWA), Gomti Nair (AIWC), Mary Paul (CWDS), Jyotsana Chatterjee (JWP), Kalpana David (YWCA of India) and Annie Raja (NFIW).
k_benedict@dnaindia.net
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