NATIONAL CONSULTATION ON WOMEN’S PARTICIPATION IN THE ELECTORAL PROCESS 18 th – 19 th December 2013 Bhubaneswar Promoting Women’s electoral participation through Corporate Sector P K Sahoo Chairman, CYSD, Bhubaneswar

Corporate Sector Business must uphold society’s best interest Focus on People Centric Development People and Community at the centre stage

Corporate to Promote Citizens’ Participation in Electoral Process General Elections in India (National/State). Largest Democratic Exercises in the World. 50% of Voters are women. Ensuring Maximum Voting by Women.

Non-Voting by Women Lack of Political Awareness Ignorance about Eligibility Lack of comprehensive civic education Difficulty in finding Time from household work Reluctance to go outside home without a male family member. Women carrying babies to wait for long in the queue.

Ensuring Women Participation Civic Orientation to the Women regarding their Rights and Election Processes More Women candidates to contest Election Massive Awareness Campaigns for women to exercise Voting Right.

Ensuring Women …………..contd. Organisation and Mobilisation of Young Women Volunteers Brigade on Voters Education. Increasing Young Women’s Participation through SHG Meetings/Talks/Seminars, Workshops, etc. Millions of SHG Women members to be oriented on Voters’ Education. Women SHGs lead campaigns at Panchayat, NAC & Municipal levels.

Election Commission of India’s Foundation Day : 25 th January 1950 Celebration of National Voters Day on 25 th January each year Organizing Exhibitions & Fairs on Voters Literacy

Pursuing Above Agenda Corporate Sector need to facilitate and extend support. – By organzing programmes in its own constituency. – Further expanding the programme to the District / State / National level. – Collaborative Partnership with CSOs

Civil Society Organizations (CSOs ) Strengthening democracy and governance through improved participatory representation. Empowering vulnerable groups (Women, Adivasis, Dalits, Minorities, OBC, etc.)

Convergence and Synergy Building Between Corporate & Civil Society / People’s Organisations Ensuring Maximum Women’s participation in Electoral process.

VOTING SLOGANS A Voter is a Victor My Vote is My Power My Vote is not For Sale Wasted Vote is Wasted Opportunity BE WISE, VOTE WISE

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