Pass women's reservation bill urgently: Sharmistha Mukherjee

Congress leader Sharmistha Mukherjee today urged the NDA government to pass the woman's reservation bill on an urgent basis which in turn would help bring about gender equality in the sphere of politics and in the country on the whole.
"A very important piece of legislation which is pending in Parliament is the women's reservation act. The present NDA government's manifesto also stated its commitment to pass this act. I would really like to request the present NDA government to make sure that this law is passed," Mukherjee, daughter of President Pranab Mukherjee, said at the closing ceremony of the first edition of International Conference on Gender Equality-1 here.

She stated the Bill was passed in Rajya Sabha under the UPA-1 government and is pending clearance in Lok Sabha. The act will bring about 33 per cent reservations of seats in Parliament.
"It is already passed in Rajya Sabha, they just have to pass it in Lok Sabha where they have majority. So there is no problem, half the job is done, they will just have to walk a few steps to get it fully enacted.
"With this it will ensure representation of 33 per cent women in the highest legislative body in the country and that way definitely want to have a voice also in the most important and impactful decision making powers in the country," she said

Stating that legislations which are passed in the country should consciously take into account gender equality to close the gender gap in the country, she urged the government to also consider compensation of women farmers while thinking of implementing the land ordinance bill.

"Legislation in any country is one of the most important tools of social transformation. In India and Parliament, the state legislatures have been using this tool to try to bring about parity to end gender discrimination. But I would like to suggest to all law makers that every piece of legislation, even if it's not apparently linked with gender issue, has to be examined through the gender perspective."

Citing an example, she said the land ordinance bill has created a lot of noise in the recent past. Land was being taken away to make industry. "Fair enough, but one also has to understand how women would be impacted."
"Majority of our agricultural labour force are women. So if the land which is their livelihood is going to be taken away they have to be compensated. The stakeholders of these lands are being promised jobs in the industry. That promised job has to have reservation for women also," said Mukherjee.
The eminent Kathak dancer, who made her debut in politics just a year back, expressed sadness that there were only 22 per cent women parliamentarians globally. She urged women globally to come forward and take part in active politics to bridge the gap of gender parity.

"Politics is an area through which we can make changes, decisions which influences the lives of others around us. We as women should come forward and take part in active politics to change the gender balance in society and bring about change in the world," Mukherjee said.