Kochi: Women have begun to make their own demands to the political parties on the eve of the elections. One major request is to include ‘ladies’ toilets’ in the manifesto of major fronts.
This has been raised on the social media platform which has gone viral and created a good impact on mainline parties. CPM leader Pinarayi Vijayan and former finance minister Thomas Isaac have put up a Facebook status supporting the demand. Prospective UDF candidate and actor Jagadeesh followed suit saying he will contribute financially to the cause.
Both Mr Pinarayi and Mr Isaac hinted at the inclusion of public toilets for women in the manifesto. A bunch of youngsters started trending a hashtag #Mymanifesto, and Sunitha Devadas, a Canada-based freelance journalist, urged the political parties to include ladies’ toilets in the manifesto.
“It’s heartening to see that people on the social media are involved in healthy debates. These debates should be brought to the public attention and discussed widely,” said Mr Pinarayi Vijayan in a post.
“The CPM is yet to finalise the election manifesto. But I can assure that 10 ‘she toilets’ would be set up in Alappuzha next year,” said Mr Thomas Isaac in a Facebook post. Though various governments have taken measures to set up public toilets for women, it is yet to provide toilets that are safe, secure and properly maintained.
Along with the demand for the toilets, the people have raised several other demands such as handing over the appointments in aided colleges to the PSC, better facilities in medical colleges and quality roads.
