Women protest non-passage of quota bill, hold march in Delhi

Protesting the central government's failure to ensure reservation for women in Parliament and state legislatures, hundreds of women held a march here on Wednesday and demanded passage of the Women's Reservation Bill in Parliament's winter session starting on Friday.

The protesters marched to the Central Park of Connaught Place in the heart of Delhi, and demanded that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party keep its election manifesto promise and get the bill passed as soon as possible.

"We are fighting for the passage of the Women's Reservation Bill for 21 years. It is difficult to understand why the government will not table the bill in the winter session despite consensus among all major parties on this issue," Joint Women's Programme President Jyotsna Chatterjee said while addressing the protesters.

The bill has been passed by the Rajya Sabha. The protesters pointed out that the BJP with its two thirds majority in the Lok Sabha can easily get the bill passed in the lower house.

"The women of India are disgusted and appalled to see the government ignoring the bill even after being in power for three and a half years. The government needs to act quickly to regain the people's trust," said Centre for Social Research Director Ranjana Kumari.

Members of more than 20 organisations were present at the rally on Wednesday, including the Centre for Social Research, Joint Women's Programme, Justice Seeker, Women Power Connect, Muslim Women Association, Sahej Sambhav, SERWA and the Delhi State Council of Women.

According to a statement from the organisers, India stands at a lowly 103rd place out of 140 countries in terms of women representation in Parliament and assemblies.

"The status of women is best reflected in the political sphere, where women hold mere 12 per cent seats in Parliament and an average of 9 per cent in state assemblies in India," it said.

"Even after 70 years of Independence, crimes against women are rampant and gender equality is completely lacking in every sphere of society," it added.

--IANS

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