WOMEN PRESS THE BUTTON FOR SECURITY, JOB OPPORTUNITIES

MUMBAI: A safe city, control on price rise and better education and employment opportunities topped the list of demands of women who turned up to cast their votes in polling booths across the city.

Women voters in the city number 46 lakh – 45% of the electorate.

The issue of security remains a major concern for women from those living in the slums of Dharavi to the residents of tony neighbourhoods of Bandra

Poonam Vishawakarma, 19 from Dharavi, said the safety situation needed looking into.

“Even today, we cannot move around in Dharavi during late hours. This needs to change,” she said.

In Kalina and Dharavi, women voters pointed out the apathy of police in cases of domestic violence, child molestation and dowry abuse. “Police are insen sitive while dealing such cases There is dire need of changing their attitude,” said 30-year-old Vallita Shivan from Kalianwadi

A voter from Bandra, Maria Fernandes, 29, said she wanted the new government to ensure better security in the area. “With rising number of slums and tourists in the area, chain snatching and robbery are increasing,” she said

Vincia Gomes, 39, a resident of Vakola, echoed Fernandes concerns. “We are witnessing a lot of hooliganism in our area which is a problem for working women like me,” said Gomes, who voted for change, and for the same party in power at the Centre and in the state.

Some women, however expressed unhappiness over the BJP’S inability to bring down pric es. “The BJP has done nothing till now to bring down prices,” said Lata Rathod, 40, a single parent Colaba. Another voter, Reshma D’souza, 35, from Andheri (East) did not see the promise of “good days” coming true.

Job opportunities and educa tion were important driving fac tors too. Vidya Jawli form Versova said: “I have voted with a hope that the party which comes to power will work on providing affordable better-quality education and also create job opportunities in the