Women in West Bengal Demand More Than Just Welfare Ahead of Elections

Kolkata, April 5: As the West Bengal assembly elections approach, women’s expectations are becoming clearer and stronger. Women in the state are no longer content with just government schemes; they are demanding respect, safety, employment, and long-term empowerment.

Women from various sectors express that the next government must continue existing welfare programs while enhancing job opportunities, strengthening security, and focusing on sustainable development.

Many women believe that initiatives like Lakshmi Bhandar and Kanyashree have positively impacted their lives, providing financial assistance and promoting girls’ education. They argue that empowerment should extend beyond mere financial aid.

Renowned singer Ujjaini Mukherjee stated, “Women in Bengal are advancing in education and careers. Programs like Lakshmi Bhandar and Kanyashree are good steps, but for long-term empowerment, greater opportunities, awareness, and equal access to professional development are essential.”

The cultural sector, a hallmark of West Bengal, faces its own challenges. Mukherjee noted that while talent is abundant in the state, institutional support is lacking. She hopes the next government will strengthen the cultural framework, provide fair opportunities for artists, and establish a transparent support system.

She also suggested implementing pension schemes for artists and technicians, along with accessible healthcare, especially for those unable to work due to illness, age, or unemployment.

Safety remains a critical issue for women. Many have acknowledged that efforts to improve law and order have been made, but the impact must be consistent and visible on the ground.

Suchismita Bagchi, a senior professional in an education company, emphasized, “People must trust the law and order system. Police should have the full power to act independently and fairly. It’s time they work free from political pressure.”

She called for transparency from the government, advocating for regular white papers on budget allocations, their utilization, and the implementation of schemes to keep the public informed. Additionally, creating a conducive environment for new businesses and investments is crucial.

Bagchi also stressed the need to reopen schools that have closed in recent years and to adopt transparent recruitment processes for filling vacant positions in schools, colleges, and universities. Furthermore, she highlighted the importance of including subjects related to civic rights and responsibilities in children’s curricula.

Entrepreneur, engineering consultant, and singer Anindita Maity Das believes that free schemes alone are insufficient for women’s empowerment. She stated, “While I support initiatives like Kanyashree, development cannot rely solely on freebies. This increases dependency and can be detrimental in the long run. Schemes should not be driven by vote bank politics.”

She expressed concern over the exodus of youth from the state, attributing it to a lack of job opportunities. To counter this trend, large-scale industrialization is necessary to create jobs within the state, preventing engineering students from feeling compelled to leave. She also opposed the privatization of education, particularly in private medical colleges.

Homemaker Stuti Karmakar called for prioritizing women’s rights. She asserted, “The greatest need today is for women to fully benefit from their rights. They should have the right to work in a safe and peaceful environment. There should be no compromise on their safety. We do not want to witness incidents like the RG Kar tragedy again. Every woman should feel secure at her workplace, whether public or private.”

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