Policies to support migrant workers in TN ( following a discussion on the precarity of labour and gendered implication of the same)
Rigorous implementation and immediate justice in case of crimes against women
Free education on women’s safety/awareness
Increase reservation for women up to 50%
Provide concrete employment support for women (proper reach of opportunities, help through the application process in the case of government positions that are publicly advertised, etc)
Legal literacy for women
Mental health support for women- Helpline number and centre to reach out in times of depression
Closure of wine shops
Opportunities for women
Ensure proper medical services in government hospitals for women
24/7 water supply (following discussion on infrastructure and gender)
Group 2
Ban TASMAC
Free medical service
Equal educational opportunities
Employment and equality in jobs
Midnight transport facility
Reduce the price of LPG cylinder
Immediate and expedited action in cases of misbehavior with women
Creating a community/support network for women engaged in household work
Legal safeguards for intercaste-interreligious marriages and couples
More free buses with CCTV
Group 3
Severe punishment for women abuse
Awareness programs for (male)students regarding women’s safety
Policies to promote small-scale women entrepreneurs in rural areas
Equal opportunities in every field- be it politics or sports
Fulfill the need for public transport, especially during nighttime for women
Need for women’s care centers in Urban and Rural areas
Severe punishment for parents involved in cases of child marriage
Improve political and technical training for women rather than focusing on theory education
Proper garbage disposal (not dumping in-ground or polluting the oceans)
To ensure installation/working condition of cameras in private/government transportation
Free and accessible public toilets
Feeding rooms for women
Gender and Sexuality education in schools/institutions
Policies to ensure fair pay in the workplace
Education
1. Human Rights education in all institutions 2. Government scholarships for women students 3. Additional support for marginalized students 4. Sensitisation re. laws/policies (legal literacy for women)
Employment
Implement Gig Workers Safety Act
Ensure job security for daily wage workers
Policies that ensure proper recognition and support of sex workers
Pay parity in the workplace
Safety in workplace
Climate Change
Segregation of waste at source (dignity of labour for waste workers)
Climate action plan that acknowledges the intersection between gender and climate
In March 2024, the Prajnya team–Programme Associate Divya Prabha S. and volunteer Maya Karthikeyan–facilitated two workshops with young students around gender issues in the upcoming election season.
These informal but structured conversations open with a broad discussion on the issues participants connected with ‘elections.’ A discussion follows on how elections become gendered, on women’s representation and the challenges to ensuring it and finally, policy and procedural changes that would help. The facilitators take and urge an intersectional view on these matters, enabling solutions that serve social justice most inclusively.
The workshops culminated in participants forming groups, each of which discussed and drafted a manifesto of their own. We are sharing these and future manifestos on this blog. They reflect what young women in India care about and would like political parties to consider important measures.
If you would like to host such a workshop in your college or club, please drop us a line at prajnyatrust@gmail.com.
By Avanti Nayal with inputs from Punya Chowksey, Aariya Thoumoung and Srijani Mukhopadhyay[i]
A democracy cannot function without its people. The decision is in the hands of those who have the power to vote. However, given that power lies in the hands of the people, election campaigning (and the schemes and policies highlighted through them) is marked by numerous speeches that relentlessly attempt to strike a chord with their audience – certain trends were ubiquitous in the 2024 November round of state Assembly elections in India.
The Gender Equality Election Watch team at Prajnya has been monitoring news media for gendered hate speech during election campaigns and other gender inequality markers. The observations in this blogpost draw from the six weeks of the 2024 State Assembly election campaigns in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram, Rajasthan and Telangana. In this period, there were no reported instances of gendered hate speech. However, we made note of other ways in which gender became salient.
Manifesto promises aplenty…
The incumbent party and its rivals targeted women voters. The BJP’s Laadli Behen Yojna[ii] (which contributed significantly to their win in MP) promised to deposit an amount directly into the banks of women who fell within a specific family income range. The Congress’ promised to provide 10,000 rupees to the women heads of families in Rajasthan[iii]. In Telangana too, The Congress promised women free travel on RTC buses, LPG cylinders at a price of Rs.500 etc.[iv]
…But few women candidates
In Madhya Pradesh for instance, both the BJP and The Congress’ candidate list included but a small proportion of women candidates (less than 15 percent were women)[v]. In Rajasthan too, only 14 percent of the candidates fielded by Congress were women while 10 percent of BJP’s candidates fell in the same category[vi]. In Telangana too, there were merely 221 women candidates (the total number of candidates being over 2000).[vii]
Misogynistic culture, misogynistic politics
Elections don’t take place in a vacuum. The misogyny that’s pervasive in our patriarchal society has a significant effect on election campaign(s). What else could explain the outrage that ensued after Congress nominated (in Mizoram) a candidate who married outside of her community[viii]. She was no longer recognised as a Mizo by huge swathes of the population. This is but a testament to the patriarchal notions that dictate the boundaries of communities. It begs the question- would a man receive the same treatment for marrying a non-Mizo?
Through this article, our aim is to throw light on the contradictions that prevail in election manifestos (and subsequently in the campaigns). Certainly, all of the campaigning culminates in an election win (or a loss) for the parties involved. But, it is crucial to analyse the means to the end. The acknowledgement of their agency is essential because it would prevent them from being reduced to a mere vote-bank. The facilitation of adequate representation of all the genders is crucial to ensuring the ability to helm change isn’t concentrated in the hands of men. Women played a pivotal role in bringing people to power, and are competent enough to bring in their lived experiences to the table to foster change. Women are people with feelings and opinions and the ability to act on their concerns. They are more than a vote-bank.
[i] Avanti, Punya, Aariya and Srijani are all students at KREA University.
[iii] Khan,Hamza.“In Priyanka Presence, Gehlot’s New “Guarantees” to Women: Rs 10k, Subsidised LPG to 1 Cr Homes.” The Indian Express, 25 Oct. 2023, indianexpress.com/article/political-pulse/rajasthan-gehlot-rs-10000-woman-head-of-family-lpg-cylinder-at-rs-500-8998861/.
[v] “BJP, Cong Try to Cash in on Quota for Women but Name Less than 15%.” The Times of India, 23 Oct. 2023, timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/bjp-cong-try-to-cash-in-on-quota-for-women-but-name-less-than-15/articleshow/104637957.cms.
On the 2nd of September, 2022, Prajnya and Orinam organised a Roundtable on Inclusive Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights. The roundtable was a part of a research internship undertaken by the author, Meghna, a postgraduate student of Sustainable Development Practice at TERI School of Advanced Studies, New Delhi. Through the research project, Meghna aims to explore concepts of accessibility and inclusivity to Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in Tamil Nadu. Through this, the roundtable not only shed light on the structural violence and discrimination in the healthcare sector against individuals who do not conform to the binary sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions, but also helped provide critical points in order to reimagine gender-affirmative healthcare. The session was moderated by Dr. L. Ramakrishnan and had on the panel – Fred, Dr. Prabha Swaminathan and Archanaa Seker, who gave us their insights on the theme of the roundtable
1. Fred works as an LGBTQIAP+ affirmative counsellor.
2. Dr. Prabha Swaminathan is a gynaecologist associated with Dr. Rela Institute & Medical Centre, Chennai and Chettinad Hospitals, Chennai. She is committed to providing gender-inclusive healthcare, as well as healthcare and support services for survivors of domestic violence. She has been working with NGOs for domestic violence and intimate partner violence and is also trained and certified as a workplace sexual harassment Internal Committee member.
3. Archanaa Seker is a writer, researcher and feminist rights activist based in Chennai. She works with the queer community and independently works on enabling access to Emergency Contraceptive Pills and abortions to those who need it and reach out. She also engages with state agencies to fill the gaps in SRHR.
4. The session was moderated by Dr. L. Ramakrishnan who is a public health professional, associated with Solidarity and Action Against The HIV Infection in India (SAATHII). He works towards inclusive access to healthcare, justice and social protection for communities marginalized on account of gender, sexuality and/or HIV status.
The roundtable began with the panellists being asked what it means to them to be an inclusive SRHR provider. Archanaa began by answering that she has been working on enabling access to Emergency Contraceptive Pills for anyone who needs them for around a decade. “If access to contraception was inclusive and it could be accessed by everybody, there wouldn’t be a need for somebody like me. If you ask me what it is to have inclusive and accessible SRHR, I would say, the dream is I become redundant, or what I do becomes redundant.”, she said. Archanaa also added that despite ECPs not being illegal for sale or purchase in Tamil Nadu, the fact that they are not easily available is a result of confusion in the state, particularly one that involves Government agencies, pharmaceutical associations and pharmacies.
“While I want ECP to be available at pharmacies just like we can buy a crocin or a Dolo-650 just off the counter, and I want every pharmacist to be able to give it without asking any questions, I do realise, they can’t stop at just making the pill available without looking at usage, over usage or misusage. And from a feminist point of view, I think we must think and talk about it,” she said.
Moving beyond assumptions of the cis-binary heterosexual contexts, there are barriers that are persistent for community members. Giving insights into this, Fred mentioned that organisations like Orinam that offer resources for gender-affirmative healthcare are essential for community members. Inclusivity, Fred said, to him, meant that “people in medical professions must be aware of gender identities, gender expressions and sexual orientations for the LGBTQ+ community to visit them when there is a need”. This makes it imperative to note that healthcare providers must take cognisance of the fact that bodies can come in many configurations which may or may not align with the individual’s gender identity. Dr Prabha Swaminathan added to the discussion by saying that she, an OB-GYN, recognises that medical professionals have to be mindful and considerate if there are vulnerable individuals seeking support. She said, “no one should be left behind as far as health is concerned so that everyone has equal access and ability to get help.”
Furthermore, during the roundtable, discussing the barriers to accessing SRHR, Archanaa mentioned that the society is still stuck with very strict gender norms, including those that limit, prohibit or silence any discussion of ‘pleasurable sex’. Accessing SRHR can be destigmatised only if the shame is taken away from bodies, body parts and sex itself.
Archanaa also spoke about the reaction in India to the Roe v/s Wade judgement being overturned in the United States. While many people contrasted India’s seemingly progressive abortion laws with the rollback of reproductive rights in the US, Archanaa pointed out that the ground reality in terms of access to safe abortion services is fraught in the country. She directed the audience to the Guardian article, Feminists in India applaud their abortion rights – but they don’t extend to Dalit women by Shreeja Rao.
The roundtable also brought forth the question of how the medical sciences traditionally does not maintain any distinction between biological sex and gender, and thereby fails to address the issues of transmasculine individuals. Here, Fred mentioned that there is apprehension about opening up about one’s gender identity, especially to medical practitioners. Added to this is the toxic masculinity that is prevalent in the LGBTQIA+ community. These notions and stereotypes about the sexual orientations of transmasculine individuals is also reflected by medical practitioners who are supposedly gender-affirmative.
The concluding thoughts of the roundtable had Dr. Prabha Swaminathan talk about the aspects of abortion in the medical fraternity where one is always taught to deny abortion the first time, and to be pro-life. Concepts of gender beyond the binary, and identities on the LGBTQIA+ spectrum are also not considered normal in the medical profession. She mentions that very little time is given to develop a proper understanding of sexuality in the medical curriculum. It is the lack of this that has made most gynaecologists not understand sex and sexuality. For this, children must be taught from a very young age about sex and sexuality through sex education in schools. This thought was echoed by Fred as well. Fred also brought to light that legislation and policies must focus on making use of language that is inclusive of all identities. A brilliant Twitter thread was also suggested by Archanaa on the same which can be found here. Additionally, Archanaa supplemented this discussion by adding that it is essential for both medical professionals and institutions such as the state to move towards approaching sexual and reproductive health from a feminist and rights-based perspective.
August 15, 2022 marks 75 years of India’s independence. Celebrating this, we have with us, Hemal Kanvinde from Mohan Foundation, who has spoken about her love for India. Click here to watch a video of the same.
We, the Prajnya Team, would also love to have you send us a small text or art project or voice recording or video, telling us what you cherish about India, what your dream for the country is, and what makes you optimistic about India as we inch closer to celebrating 75 years of India’s independence. You can email or share your contribution with us via Google Drive at <programmes.prajnya@gmail.com> or via Whatsapp at +91 97908 10351. We look forward to hearing from you!
August 15, 2022 marks 75 years of India’s independence. Celebrating the same, we have with us, Jayalakshmi, who has penned down her thoughts on the India she cherishes and loves.
Jayalakshmi
India has risen above all adversities,adversaries and antagonistic conditions that would have left any other nation and its people devastated and disillusioned and totally decimated. It was the presence of leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru that had enabled the country emerge victorious and independent through nonviolence, Ahimsa and passive resistance. Today, as we commemorate the 75 th Independence Day, we can boast of producing the best of Engineers, Scientists, Doctors, professionals in every sphere of life and above all good human beings who carry forward and are willing to sustain and celebrate the spirit of tolerance, togetherness and camaraderie, the distinct trait that differentiates every Indian from the rest of the world. It can be stated with conviction and confidence that India will emerge a nation to be reckoned with, listened to and represented in all international forums to ensure development, spearhead progress in diverse fields and be the harbinger of peace, harmony and stability. As we move forward let us take a vow and strive to dissolve differences, erase boundaries, promote knowledge transfer and technological development and foreground, profess and practice peace and harmony in thought, word and deed.
We, the Prajnya Team, would also love to have you send us a small text or art project or voice recording or video, telling us what you cherish about India, what your dream for the country is, and what makes you optimistic about India as we inch closer to celebrating 75 years of India’s independence. You can email or share your contribution with us via Google Drive at <programmes.prajnya@gmail.com> or via Whatsapp at +91 97908 10351. We look forward to hearing from you!
August 15, 2022 marks 75 years of India’s independence. Celebrating this, we have with us, Evangeline Pearl J from United Way India, who has penned down her thoughts on the same.
Evangeline Pearl J
United Way Chennai
If widows are alive today,
It’s because Gandhi fought for them that day.
If we’re free to express what we feel today,
It’s because Ambedkar fought for us that day.
If we’re free to study what we want today,
It’s because Nehru fought for us that day.
If we’re free to follow our religion today,
It’s because Subash Chandra Bose fought for us that day.
We owe our independence to the numerous leaders,
Who nearly gave up their lives to make India what it is today.
As we remember their sacrifices today,
Let’s fight for our children to have a better world someday.
We, the Prajnya Team, would also love to have you send us a small text or art project or voice recording or video, telling us what you cherish about India, what your dream for the country is, and what makes you optimistic about India as we inch closer to celebrating 75 years of India’s independence. You can email or share your contribution with us via Google Drive at <programmes.prajnya@gmail.com> or via Whatsapp at +91 97908 10351. We look forward to hearing from you!
August 15, 2022 marks 75 years of India’s independence. Celebrating the same, we have with us, Meghna Menon, a volunteer at Prajnya, who has submitted a piece titled, “I dream of an India…”
Meghna Menon
This week, I picked up Lies Our Mothers Told Us: The Indian Woman’s Burden by Nilanjana Bhowmick. I was reading out the first few pages to amma, and both of us shared glances because we knew, how, in a million different ways, paid and unpaid work was a woman’s responsibility to shoulder in an Indian household. “But at least you are allowed to work. Back in our times…..” was a familiar echo that always came from different nooks and corners of the room. I do partially agree, we have indeed come a long way. India has come a long way. For a few years now, in classroom spaces, over and over again, we have had conversations that go on for hours together about our identities and social locations; these are days that seem bleak and not very hopeful. But there are days, when there are beautiful sunsets and people I love, that I dream of what India can be, for me. These are days when we talk of feminist solidarity, resilience, love, and joy. These are the days when I take the metro train from Vadapalani to Meenambakkam in the evenings and watch women exchange familiar nods and smiles, paint their nails, and finish off the food in their tiffin boxes. These are days when I see a bustling crowd of children in Pallavaram market buying popcorn. As we inch closer to celebrating 75 years of India’s independence, I dream of a country that is a lot more forgiving, kind, and empathetic. I dream of an India that makes me feel safe, loved, and hopeful. For India, I have immense dreams, and I know that I can always find the things I cherish about the country in the people I surround myself with, in the places I visit, in the auto rides that take me back home, in the food that is gobsmackingly delicious (from the Onam Sadhya to the roadside panipuri), in Shah Rukh Khan in the 90s and in the SPB songs that my grandparents play on the radio in the night. As we celebrate 75 years of independent India, I hope I always find joy in these little things.
We, the Prajnya Team, would also love to have you send us a small text or art project or voice recording or video, telling us what you cherish about India, what your dream for the country is, and what makes you optimistic about India as we inch closer to celebrating 75 years of India’s independence. You can email or share your contribution with us via Google Drive at <programmes.prajnya@gmail.com> or via Whatsapp at +91 97908 10351. We look forward to hearing from you!
August 15, 2022 marks 75 years of India’s independence. Celebrating this, we have with us, our trustee, Sweta Narayanan, who has penned down her thoughts on the same.
Sweta Narayanan
As we celebrate the 75th year of independence, as we celebrate development, and as we celebrate progress and sometimes regression, I hope we can also celebrate compassion. Compassion towards all forms of life, compassion that paves the way for mutual respect, integrity, and inevitably, equality. These are the values I believe are at the core of creating a just and secure society. I love the bundle of contractions that is India – that fights but also coexists, that is diverse but is also similar in many ways, that is progressive but also conservative at the same time, that is often violent but also wants peace. Let this day and year bring peace, harmony, justice, and happiness to this unique country!
We, the Prajnya Team, would also love to have you send us a small text or art project or voice recording or video, telling us what you cherish about India, what your dream for the country is, and what makes you optimistic about India as we inch closer to celebrating 75 years of India’s independence. You can email or share your contribution with us via Google Drive at <programmes.prajnya@gmail.com> or via Whatsapp at +91 97908 10351. We look forward to hearing from you!
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