Women's meet demands equal political representation

Aug 17, 2007, 15:01 GMT

New Delhi, Aug 17 (IANS) A conglomerate of more than 500 feminist groups began a two-day national convention in the capital Friday with a call for equal representation for women in politics.

The WomenPowerConnect meet at Hotel Ashok will also discuss issues ranging from domestic violence and gender budgeting to sexual harassment and female foeticide.

'We demand equal representation for women in politics. The sheer number of successful women leaders and politicians participating in this convention from elected representatives to grassroots activists shows the urgency to give equal opportunities to women,' Ranjana Kumari, president of WomenPowerConnect, told reporters here.

The meet expressed concern over the delay in the passage of the women's reservation bill giving 33 percent reservation to women in parliament and state legislative bodies though it was drafted as far back as 1996.

'Though it was drafted as early as 1996, the bill still languishes due to political indecisiveness on the issue and is relegated to being the subject of debates outside the legislature,' said Kumari.

She said it was indeed a great social malady that women's participation in the legislative processes of a democratic nation such as India was stunted.

© 2007 Indo-Asian News Service