Single women demand rights over land and livelihood

Single women under the banner of National Forum for Single Women’s Rights on Tuesday demanded that the government ensure their constitutional rights over land and livelihood. 

Women leaders pointed out that in some states, they do not have legal right over land, while in others they do have such rights but without any mechanism of implementation.

The women gathered in the national capital for a convention representing 11 states said that their struggle is to have the central government draft a special policy for single women. 

Nirmal Chandel is the president of the national forum. She is a widow from Himachal Pradesh. The forum has member associations in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Punjab, Rajasthan, Telengana and Uttarakhand.

“While through their associations single women have successfully organised to support each other, the government needs to take action so that they can lead their lives with dignity and add their strength to society,” said Chandel.

Savita Kamble, a widow from Maharashtra and a domestic worker suggested that special efforts be made by the government to create opportunities for skill enhancement and further education of single women.

She demanded that the government waive off fees for open school and university courses for single women.

Single Women comprise 8.6 percent of the total female population of India.