"We are trying to build a consensus on the Women's Reservation Bill and Congress party is very serious about it," she told PTI on the sidelines of Dayawati Modi Stree Shakti Samman.
She said she would appeal to SP, which opposed the legislation, to support it in Parliament.
The Social Justice and Empowerment Minister said "the best thing which government has done is that the Bill has been introduced in the Rajya Sabha, instead of Lok Sabha."
"Women in India have come a long way but still a lot needs to be done so that they can play an essential role in nation and society-building", she said.
Presenting the Dayawati Modi Stree Shakti Samman, Penny Low, Member of Parliament, Singapore, said that "in policy making, government should promote active participation of senior citizens. They should be consulted."
Low added roads and building should be wheelchair- friendly so that senior citizens don't have problems in commuting.
"Their is a need to give senior citizens a sense of dignity and hope," said Low.
Seema Kohli, an eminent painter, was conferred with the Dayawati Modi Stree Shakti Samman.
