NEW DELHI: In the run-up to the 2019 polls, women from 143 districts across 20 states will be leading a "March For Change" to raise their voice against violence, hate and discrimination.

"The purpose of the march is to ignite women all over the country to use their vote to reject the current environment of hate and violence and to claim their constitutional rights as citizens of a democratic republic,” social activist Shabnam Hashmi told reporters on Tuesday.

RTI activist Anjali Bhardwaj said, "Inequality has become one of the biggest challenges in the country and it disproportionately impacts women and marginalised communities."

The "March for Change" programme pamphlet identifies it as "an inclusive platform for diverse communities of women and transgender people - farmers, students, activists, professionals, artists, workers, persons with disabilities, sex workers, academics, lawyers, journalists and forest dwellers."

Over the last week many civil society organisations have come forward with demand charters for various marginalised sections. On Tuesday, the All India Network of Sex Workers (AINSW) demanded "better support system so that they can live with dignity without stigma oppression and police harassment".

Demanding "access to basic services" AINSW points out that children of sex workers face discrimination in accessing admission in schools and other institutions, in addition to career-building opportunities. "This has created and obstacle for them to be part of the mainstream. Therefore, political parties and policy-makers must ensure that sex workers and their family members do not face any kind of discrimination in accessing public welfare services ," it said.

