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To mark the International Women’s Day, Rajya Sabha members today transcended party lines to demand the passage of a Bill providing 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and State Assemblies.
As soon as the House met for the day, Chairman Hamid Ansari mentioned that today was women's day and honoured the untiring commitment and persistent efforts of women.
The UN theme for International Women’s Day this year is ‘A Promise is a Promise: Time for Action to End Violence Against Women,’ he said.
“Today, though women have made remarkable progress in economic, political and social spheres, gender equality remains a distant dream,” he said, voicing concern over female foeticide, honour killings of girls and growing violence against women.
“There is an urgent need to make self-introspection and shape public opinion and perceptions so that women can achieve their potential and live a dignified life,” he said.
Ansari dispensed with the Question Hour and allowed members to make brief submissions on the occasion.
Jaya Bachchan (SP) said that there can be no celebration unless the mindset is changed and cited the growing incidents of rape, molestation, domestic violence and public thrashing of women by protectors of law.
Rajni Patil (Congress) recalled the 33 per cent reservation that the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi gave to women in Panchayats and local bodies and said: “If we want to celebrate Women’s Day, the Women’s Reservation Bill should be passed by Parliament.”
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