The first-ever held three-day National Women’s Parliament (NWP), to be concluded today near Vijayawada, is seems to be dominated by men most of the times on the stage and among speakers women from corporate sector or with influential family background are taking centre stage. The participation of social activists working for women’s empowerment and also politicians working with marginalized sections are hardly found.
As a result, the organisers succeeded in avoiding reference to mostly agitating women issue of 33 per cent reservation in legislative bodies. Except those few from political arena, none of others put any stress on this issue. Well ahead of the conclave, its Chief Organiser and AP Assembly Speaker Dr Kodela Sivaprasada Rao has made clear, though the conclave may discuss this issue, will not include such `controversy’ issue in the final `Amaravati Declaration’.
For example, on the second day among 21 speakers hardly four to five are from the political parties. That’s why crucial issues like discrimination, violence, opportunities and equality are hardly focused here. They mostly limited to their business empires and referring to `greatness’ of their own families.
However, women leaders across all political parties almost given ultimatum to the political parties stating that they would no more remain patient if they continue avoiding political reservation. Women leaders from BJP, Congress, AAP and other parties have demanded for immediate legislation in this regard.
Sensing women’s mood, union minister M Venkaiah Naidu on the inaugural day, said that his party would bring legislation as soon as its gets majority in Rajya Sabha. But, women leaders questioned him to reveal who are coming on the way for the bill.
AAP MLA Alkha Lamba, representing Chandini Chowk, Delhi, deplored that nearly three years passed since the BJP was voted to power and it has absolute majority to pass the bill, but BJP leaders like Narendra Modi and M Venkaiah Naidu were voluntarily delaying the bill.
She said the rulers must have strong commitment for the implementation of reservation to women folk. Former Minister and Congress leader of Telangana State D K Aruna flayed the BJP government for its failure to implement 33 per cent reservation to women in spite of having absolute majority in Lok Sabha.
