Women voters take centre stage in Delhi Assembly Elections

Rejecting temporary fixes, women demand long-term change over freebies

Politics

January 24, 2025

/ By / New Delhi

Women voters take centre stage in Delhi Assembly Elections

Women in Delhi feel that political initiatives aimed at empowering them often miss the mark

As the Delhi Assembly elections draw near, political parties focus on women voters with promises of financial aid, but many women feel these initiatives fail to address crucial issues like safety and empowerment.

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With the Delhi Assembly elections fast approaching, women voters are taking centre stage in the capital’s political discourse. Representing over 46 pc of the electorate approximately 7.1 million, women have become the most sought-after demographic by all major political parties. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and Congress are locked in a fierce battle to secure their support, recognising that in a city where political promises often tip the balance, the voices of women will be pivotal in shaping the outcome. However, despite the financial promises, many women feel these initiatives fall short of addressing deeper concerns like safety and empowerment.

All three major parties have unveiled initiatives tailored specifically for women. These include monthly cash transfers, benefits for pregnant women, subsidised cooking gas, and complimentary travel on state-operated buses. The BJP’s manifesto highlights its Mahila Samridhi Yojana, promising INR 2,500 per month to every woman in Delhi, alongside INR 21,000 for pregnant women and a INR 500 subsidy per LPG cylinder.

AAP, on the other hand, has proposed the Mahila Samman Yojana, offering INR 2,100 per month to women if re-elected, while Congress has introduced the Pyari Didi Yojana, with a monthly allowance of INR 2,500 for women from low-income families.

“Women are the backbone of society. By empowering them financially, we are empowering families and communities,” says Arvind Kejriwal, former Chief Minister of Delhi and AAP leader.

The BJP, drawing inspiration from similar schemes in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, has promised swift implementation of its women-focussed initiatives in its first Cabinet meeting. Meanwhile, Congress’ “five guarantees” package also includes free electricity for up to 300 units and ration kits with essential items.

Despite various promises made by political parties every election season, concerns over women’s safety and education remain pressing issues in India. While some initiatives, such as cash-based incentives, may provide temporary relief for underprivileged families, they fail to address the root causes of the challenges faced by women across socio-economic backgrounds.

“As a woman, I have grown increasingly disillusioned with the promises made by political parties. Every year, they come up with new schemes and assurances, but the ground reality barely changes. Delhi remains one of the most unsafe cities for women, and it is alarming to see that this issue is not confined to just the capital anymore. Cases of violence against women are emerging from cities and towns across the country, and it is horrifying. While cash-based incentives might offer some relief to poor households, especially those struggling to meet basic needs, they don’t address the deeper, systemic issues. For middle-class and upper-class families, these financial measures hardly make a difference. The real challenges like ensuring women’s safety, improving education for girls, and creating a society that respects and protects women remain unaddressed and, in fact, are becoming more urgent with every passing year,” Aarushi Sharma, a resident of Lajpat Nagar tells Media India Group.

According to many women in Delhi, the initiatives announced by political parties are viewed as temporary fixes rather than meaningful solutions.

“When I look at the initiatives on offer, including LPG cylinders and cash allowances, I am sure there is a section of women who will benefit from these. But at the same time, I strongly believe that any political party should focus on the long-term benefit and betterment of women. These schemes often feel like buyouts, offering temporary fixes rather than real solutions. As a society, we need to focus on addressing the root problems women grapple with, such as access to education, retention in employment, and creating a more conducive environment for women in the workforce. These time-bound subsidies may help political parties secure votes, but they do little to create lasting change. The real focus should be on empowering women through sustainable policies, not just offering short-term gimmicks that fail to elevate their position in society,” Krityaa Puri, 27-year-old resident of Anand Niketan tells Media India Group.

Women in Delhi feel that political initiatives aimed at empowering them often miss the mark. While the intentions may seem right, the focus on short-term benefits fails to address the deeper, systemic issues that women face daily.

“If the focus were truly on protecting women’s rights and addressing what we need in society, political parties would prioritise solutions for safety and harassment issues not just in workplaces but everywhere. We have seen so many cases, yet there is still no robust system in place to make women feel safe going out at night or to trust the police enough to file proper complaints. Women’s safety, education, and staying in school should be the priorities. We need initiatives that help women become more capable, confident, and steadfast in the workforce, not just short-term schemes that benefit only a small section of society. While the focus seems right on the surface, all of this feels more like a vote-gathering strategy than a genuine effort to bring about meaningful change,” Puri adds.

Even women from lower-income sections of society, like Anjali Devi, a shopkeeper in Sarita Vihar, for whom government initiatives are designed, feel that these schemes fail to address their real concerns. While cash allowances and subsidies may provide some relief, the need for safety, employment opportunities, and long-term empowerment remains paramount.

“The government seems to think that women like us can be easily swayed by small incentives like cash allowances or subsidized LPG cylinders, but they are wrong. These schemes might help temporarily, but they don’t address the real struggles we face. What we need are real opportunities, stable jobs that let us earn a living with dignity and support our families,” Devi tells Media India Group.

For Devi, the real issue is safety. “As a mother of a young girl, my biggest concern isn’t money, it is her safety. Every time she steps out of the house, I live in constant fear, praying that she will return home safely. This fear is something every woman and mother can relate to. Instead of offering us short-term benefits to secure votes, I want political parties to focus on what really matters ensuring our safety and giving us an environment where we don’t have to live in fear. Money we can earn on our own if given the opportunity, but safety and security are things only the government can ensure for us. It is time they start addressing these real issues instead of trying to buy our votes with temporary handouts,” Devi adds.

The growing number of women registering to vote, surpassing new male registrants, underscores their potential influence in shaping the election outcome. While the flurry of women-centric promises signals a shift in political priorities, the question remains: will these initiatives translate into meaningful change? As Delhi’s women weigh their options, their choices could redefine the capital’s political future. Whether driven by empowerment or electoral strategy, one thing is clear, Delhi’s women voters are now at the heart of the political discourse.

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