In
India Affirmative action is identified as Reservation, and there have been many
debates for and against Reservation, but the truth remains that Reservations
indeed has helped the socially background section of the society to join the main
stream seamlessly. But there is still a long way to go to ensure socially
backward communities to reach a level playing ground.
Reservation
for Women in Panchayats, Municipality, Assembly and Parliament has been a very
seriously debated issue, even though at Panchayats and Municipality level there
is already Reservation for Women and it has given political identity, women in our Assemblies and Parliament is a rare sight! One would
have assumed that with political empowerment at the Panchayat and Municipality
women would reach Assemblies and Parliament eventually, but it has not been so.
Hence,
Reservation for women in Assemblies and Parliament has now reach a point where
it’s not only important but immediate requirement too. The % of women in
Assemblies and Parliament has been on a decline and much lesser compared to
even our neighboring countries. Empowering women politically is the most
important step towards seeking a gender equal society. The push towards 33%
Reservation in Assemblies and Parliament was made in 2008, but due to the lack
of numbers in the Lok Sabha the Women Reservation Bill that was passed in Rajya Sabha lapsed as it could not sail through the Lok Sabha.
Now the time has come, when both the national parties has promised the passing of the 33% Women Reservation Bill in their manifesto and both have the numbers in LS & RS so the passing of the bill should be just a formality. Bill or no Bill its time political parties start with more representation for women and also consider more women candidates for Assembly and Parliament elections.
With Sonia Gandhi, President of the Indian National Congress taking the lead with a signature campaign to put pressure on the BJP lead NDA Govt at the center to table the Bill and create a passage to pass the Bill, we hope to see 33% women in our Assemblies and Parliament.
Now the time has come, when both the national parties has promised the passing of the 33% Women Reservation Bill in their manifesto and both have the numbers in LS & RS so the passing of the bill should be just a formality. Bill or no Bill its time political parties start with more representation for women and also consider more women candidates for Assembly and Parliament elections.
With Sonia Gandhi, President of the Indian National Congress taking the lead with a signature campaign to put pressure on the BJP lead NDA Govt at the center to table the Bill and create a passage to pass the Bill, we hope to see 33% women in our Assemblies and Parliament.
