Indian delegation attends Inter-Parliamentary Union in Dhaka

A delegation of Indian MPs led by Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan today attended events focusing on women empowerment, among others, in Dhaka as part of the 136th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union.
The five-day assembly of parliamentarians from countries around the globe started today in the Bangladesh capital city and will culminate on April 5.
Attending the forum of women parliamentarians, Lok Sabha MP Sushmita Dev and Rajya Sabha MP Dola Sen participated in a debate: 'Women's political participation: a new impetus to break the glass veiling', an official statement said here.
Sen said India's commitment to woman participation in democracy is reflected not only by their active involvement in the voting process but also in the growing enthusiasm and interest among females to secure representation in legislative and other representative bodies.

"Indian Parliament has consistently endeavoured to translate the ideas and ideals of the Constitution into reality," she remarked.
In another debate, Dev said India has been at the forefront of international efforts that seek to check balance between gender equality and sustainable development.

In her intervention on the theme 'Reforming regulatory frameworks and changing unfavourable cultural norms', Sen said women have always been accorded a respectable position in India's culture, traditions and social practices.
The delegation members also attended events titled: 'Advisory group on HIV/Aids and maternal, newborn and child death' and 'Meeting of the Asia specific geo-political group".
During a discussion on 'Promoting access to financial services and opportunities to the most vulnerable women', Dev said parliamentarians have a crucial role to play in the financial empowerment of vulnerable women.

As woman parliamentarians, they are best positioned to visualise and understand the issues involved, she said, adding that they are expected to act as facilitators in their financial inclusion, according to the statement.
Kirit Premji Bhai Solanki, a Lok Sabha MP, attended a meeting of advisory group on HIV/AIDS and maternal, newborn and child health.
Sen also sang 'ravindra sangeet' and received a big round of applause from global parliamentary representatives, it said.