Women’s bill holds many unrealized promises: Meira Kumar
By IANSFriday, March 5, 2010
NEW DELHI - The women’s reservation bill holds many unrealized promises for the political empowerment of women, Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar said here Saturday.
“India was one of the first countries where women were given the right to vote. Parliament has, over the years, enacted several laws for their empowerment, welfare and protection,” Meira Kumar, the first woman to be the Lok Sabha speaker, said at a summit on ‘Inclusive Growth and Empowerment of Women of Rural India’.
“The Women’s Reservation Bill holds many unrealized promises towards women’s political empowerment,” she added.
“While laws against cruelty to women, dowry harassment, domestic violence and rape have been passed by parliament and are being implemented, the only way to truly combat violence in the long term is if legislative protection is combined with the development of social consciousness against it,” she said.
The Rajya Sabha will take up the Women’s Reservation Bill for consideration and passing Monday.
