New Delhi: The Congress party released its manifesto for the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections on Friday, with a focus on key areas such as women empowerment, job creation, infrastructure development, and conducting a national caste census. The manifesto was unveiled at the All India Congress Committee (AICC) headquarters in Delhi.
Congress Manifesto: Women
- The Congress party has announced plans to reserve fifty percent of central government jobs for women, starting in 2025. This initiative aims to enhance female representation in the workforce and promote gender equality at the workplace.
- Additionally, the party has pledged to introduce the Mahalakshmi scheme, which entails providing an annual unconditional cash transfer of Rs 1 lakh to impoverished Indian families. The scheme will specifically target economically disadvantaged families situated at the bottom of the income pyramid.
- According to Congress manifesto, measures will be taken to address the abysmally low Labour Force Participation Rate among women, with initiatives focusing on fair wages, workplace safety, and maternity benefits.
- The manifesto also pledges to redress gender disparities in legal rights and protections. Reviewing existing laws related to marriage, succession, inheritance, and guardianship, the Congress party aims to ensure equality between men and women under the law.
- Furthermore, the strict enforcement of legislation aimed at preventing offenses against women, such as the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act and the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, is emphasized.
- In a bid to address the pressing needs of marginalised women, the Congress manifesto outlines plans to enhance infrastructure for migrant women workers, including the construction of night shelters and the provision of safe and hygienic public toilets.
- Additionally, initiatives to double the number of working women hostels nationwide and appoint Adhikar Maitris at the Panchayat level to assist women in enforcing their legal rights underscore a comprehensive approach to women’s empowerment.
- The Congress has also promised to remove the provisions of the Constitution (106th) Amendment Act so that one-third reservation for women can be applied to 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, the party said.
