In Kolkata, women want to vote for more jobs, lower cost of living

Kolkata women prioritize jobs and cost of living over ideology in upcoming elections, seeking better opportunities and lower inflation.

More jobs and lower cost of living — these two issues of primary concern may determine whom the women of Kolkata will vote for this election, irrespective of the ideology or party they may support or oppose in private or on social media.

No matter what their social strata or background, employment and inflation seem to be on top of most minds, pushing aside more commonly discussed issues, including religious discrimination, and corruption.

“I want my participation in the electoral process to shape policies that will bring about more opportunities for the career advancement of women; arrest the skyrocketing inflation which is a major concern, particularly in education and healthcare; ensure safety for women in public places,” Anuradha Mitra, a business owner, said.

“The other issues on my mind are proper urban planning and development — good roads, cleanliness, and basic amenities like water and sanitation,” she said.

Bisakha, who works as a cook in a few households in south Kolkata, wants the party she will vote for to get employment for her son. “There are hardly any jobs, except as a delivery agent for Swiggy or Blinkit,” she said, adding, “I also want better facilities in government hospitals. My husband recently had a stroke and in spite of the Swasthya Saathi insurance, we had a long wait for simple tests because of which I had to go to a private hospital.”

“Women are deemed as the economic backbone of a family structure, and today it is growing more and more difficult for us to maintain the balance between need and supply. Like tumbling dominos, we are hit because vendors refuse to give us vegetables and fruits in the same price they used to even a quarter of a year back,” Shreya Mukherjee, a homemaker who divides her time between Kolkata and Hyderabad, said.

Other issues on her mind are better transport, safety, and lack of employment. “Keeping the already jobless aside, there is a fresh round of jobless people thanks to a scam. I will come and cast my vote, believing perhaps in the bigger wheel of happenings. My vote might knock and wake my city and bring around the changes I badly wish to see,” Ms. Mukherjee said.