Guwahati, March 7 A feminist collective in Assam released a "manifesto" ahead of the assembly elections, urging all political parties to commit to a clear agenda for gender justice, equality, and inclusive development.
The feminist manifesto represents the collective voices, concerns, and aspirations of women, girls, and gender-diverse persons across Assam, said Anurita Pathak Hazarika, spokesperson of the 'Assam Feminist Manifesto Collective', at a press conference here on the eve of International Women's Day.
The manifesto has been prepared by women from across the state in consultation with grassroots women and community organisations, including stakeholders such as women farmers, vendors, informal workers, weavers, survivors of violence, micro-entrepreneurs, people with disabilities, as well as those from marginalized and indigenous communities.
"Assam is home to approximately 1.8 crore women who are equal citizens and rights holders, and as the state prepares to elect a new government in 2026, we believe that this democratic moment must center around the rights, dignity, and leadership of women in shaping Assam's future," Hazarika said.
Despite the introduction of numerous schemes for women's welfare, structural inequalities continue to persist, and the gap between policies and women's lived realities remains wide, particularly for women from marginalized communities such as tea garden workers, those living in 'chars' (riverine islands), women with disabilities, and women with diverse gender and sexual identities, she added.
Women continue to face violence and insecurity in homes, workplaces, digital and public spaces, and the manifesto calls for stronger implementation of existing laws, accessible survivor support services, safe public infrastructure, and accountability mechanisms that ensure timely justice and safety for women, said Gita Bhattacharya, another collective member.
Assam is among the most climate-vulnerable regions in India, facing recurrent floods, riverbank erosion, and displacement, with women bearing a disproportionate burden of these crises.
The manifesto demands women's leadership in climate governance, gender-responsive disaster response systems, and investment in climate-resilient livelihoods, particularly for vulnerable communities, she said.
The manifesto also called for greater public investment in education, improved school infrastructure, and stronger support for community participation in school governance.
Women's work continues to remain undervalued and insecure across sectors such as agriculture, domestic work, tea plantations, and public service work such as Anganwadi and ASHA services.
The manifesto calls for recognizing women as workers and farmers, and providing dignified wages, social protection, and safe working conditions.
The collective urged all political parties and candidates contesting the elections to incorporate these demands into their election manifestos and policy commitments.
"We also urge political parties to promote leadership and opportunities to participate in electoral processes and commit themselves to concrete actions for gender justice," said Rashmirekha Borah, another collective member.
A just and inclusive Assam cannot be built without addressing the rights, safety, livelihoods, education, health, and leadership of women and gender-diverse persons, she added.