DUSU Elections 2023: Menstrual leave, self-defense workshops, security in NSUI’s women manifesto

NEW DELHI: The student wing of Congress, National Students' Union of India (NSUI) has released a five-point manifesto for female students for the upcoming Delhi University Students' Union (DUSU) Elections 2023. This includes menstrual leave, a zero-tolerance policy against harassment, security and safety, empowerment, and better infrastructural facilities for female students.

In their national office, former DUSU President Amrita Dhawan, former President Neetu Verma, NSUI Secretary candidate Yakshna Sharma held a press conference and released the women manifesto.

Amrita Dhawan said, " NSUI always works to advance women by following the ideology of Congress, everything from the first Prime Minister to the first woman President in this country is the contribution of Congress, we also have women students in the campus. Keeping the needs in mind specifically, we have come up with a women's manifesto for the first time in history."

The NSUI women's manifesto promises a menstrual leave of up to 12 days per semester. “ Propose the introduction of a policy that allows women students to take up to 12 days of leave per semester due to menstruation” an official statement from the NSUI read.

As per the NSUI manifesto, legal assistance for harassment, moral policing, cyberbullying, and administrative issues will be provided. An emergency response system will be set up for distress calls and security, and the safety of female students has been prioritised.

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The student body stated to have a ‘24x7’ security team with an increased number of female guards for the security of women students. It also promised to have an increased police patrolling with more female officers outside the college premises. Only female staff in female washrooms will be assigned and the installation of street lights, and CCTV cameras across campus will be carried out.

According to NSUI, a functional Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) will be established to empower female students. “ The NSUI will conduct regular gender sensitization workshops and orientation for freshers creating a welcoming environment for LGBTQIA+ and women.” The union will further organise self-defence training workshops in collaboration with various NGOs and police, as per the manifesto.

The student union has also promised in its manifesto to provide better infrastructural facilities like clean and hygienic washrooms, changing rooms for sportswomen, installation, and maintenance of sanitary napkin dispensers, providing functional medical rooms, counselling centres in every college.

The NSUI announced the names of candidates for the upcoming DUSU elections 2023. Hitesh Gulia will contest for the post of president while Abhi Dahiya is the candidate for the post of vice-president. Yakshna Sharma and Shubham Kumar will be vying for the post of secretary and joint secretary.