Congress, in its manifesto released for general elections 2019, on Tuesday promised to pass the Constitution(Amendment) Bill to provide 33 percent reservation to women in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies in the first session of the 17th Lok Sabha and in the Rajya Sabha.
It said, ”historically, Congress has been at the forefront of the struggle for women’s rights, equality and empowerment. India’s only woman Prime Minister Indira Gandhi belonged to the Congress. We passed many laws that empowered women. We mainstreamed gender in government schemes.”
”Public spaces, public transport, public premises and other public facilities in town and cities will be made safe for women, children, persons with disabilities, migrants and marginalised sections of society. More women will be appointed to government and municipal jobs in towns and cities,” the Congress promised.
Also, the party said if voted to power, it will do a comprehensive review of the sexual harassment of women at workplaces Act, 2013 and will extend the Act to all workplaces.
”We will additionally institute measures to address all forms of harassment of women,” it added.
”We will amend the Service Rules to reserve for women 33 per cent of appointments to posts at the Centre,” the party promised in its manifesto.
It also said, ”The Equal Remuneration Act, 1976 will be enforced effectively. We will review all laws that stipulate wage rates to provide that men and women are paid the same wage for similar work.” (UNI)
