<p class="title rtejustify">Prominent women in the city have asked for equal representation of females and the third gender in the manifestos of political parties.</p>.<p class="bodytext rtejustify">Participating in a panel discussion titled “(wo)manifesto”, they said women had to play a larger role in governance to have a say on the policies concerning them.</p>.<p class="bodytext rtejustify">AAP spokesperson Shantala Damle said manifestos should be drawn in such a way that everyone is treated equally and there should not be any gender discrimination.</p>.<p class="bodytext rtejustify">Congress candidate from Jayanagar Sowmya Reddy said she entered politics to fight for the rights of transgenders and issues rising from Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code declaring homosexuality a crime. She asked why the society cannot be open about the LGBT community.</p>.<p class="bodytext rtejustify">Ekya Schools founder Tristha Ramamurthy said children should be educated on issues pertaining to women. Among the panelists were Manisha Bhatt, founder, M Square Networks; Dr Nilima Kadambi, Colours of Life; Vishalakshi Padmanabhan, founder-Buffalo Back; Arundhati Raja, former founder, Jagriti Theatre; Teresa Bhattacharya, former chief secretary; and Nina Nayak, former chairperson for the Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights.</p>.<p class="bodytext rtejustify">The panellists and the women attending the event drafted a list of issues that needed inclusion in the manifestos to ensure the welfare and safety of women.</p>.<p class="bodytext rtejustify">Addressing the issues would help empower women, while also support and encourage those who believe women have the strength to change the world and make it a better place.</p>
<p class="title rtejustify">Prominent women in the city have asked for equal representation of females and the third gender in the manifestos of political parties.</p>.<p class="bodytext rtejustify">Participating in a panel discussion titled “(wo)manifesto”, they said women had to play a larger role in governance to have a say on the policies concerning them.</p>.<p class="bodytext rtejustify">AAP spokesperson Shantala Damle said manifestos should be drawn in such a way that everyone is treated equally and there should not be any gender discrimination.</p>.<p class="bodytext rtejustify">Congress candidate from Jayanagar Sowmya Reddy said she entered politics to fight for the rights of transgenders and issues rising from Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code declaring homosexuality a crime. She asked why the society cannot be open about the LGBT community.</p>.<p class="bodytext rtejustify">Ekya Schools founder Tristha Ramamurthy said children should be educated on issues pertaining to women. Among the panelists were Manisha Bhatt, founder, M Square Networks; Dr Nilima Kadambi, Colours of Life; Vishalakshi Padmanabhan, founder-Buffalo Back; Arundhati Raja, former founder, Jagriti Theatre; Teresa Bhattacharya, former chief secretary; and Nina Nayak, former chairperson for the Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights.</p>.<p class="bodytext rtejustify">The panellists and the women attending the event drafted a list of issues that needed inclusion in the manifestos to ensure the welfare and safety of women.</p>.<p class="bodytext rtejustify">Addressing the issues would help empower women, while also support and encourage those who believe women have the strength to change the world and make it a better place.</p>
