The Assam government on Monday moved a resolution in the state assembly seeking one-third reservation for women in the Parliament and all legislative assemblies with immediate effect, following the completion of delimitation. The resolution is scheduled for discussion on Tuesday and is expected to be passed.
Minister's statement
State women and child welfare minister Ajanta Neog, while moving the resolution, described it as a historic occasion for the House. She expressed optimism about overwhelming support for the resolution. “Political will is necessary to implement one-third reservation for women,” the minister added, lauding the NDA-ruled states that have already passed similar resolutions.
Madhya Pradesh's precedent
Last month, the Madhya Pradesh assembly passed a similar resolution seeking one-third reservation for women in the legislative assembly immediately after the conclusion of a delimitation exercise.
Resolution details
“This House is of the opinion that, in order to honour women’s power and ensure the holistic development and empowerment of women, one-third reservation for women in the Parliament and in all legislative assemblies should be implemented with immediate effect, after completing the process of delimitation,” read the resolution moved by Neog.
She noted that women have long held respected positions in religious texts and are worshipped, but emphasized that political and social will is needed to advance women. “Around 50% of the population of our society are women. So it is the duty of the state to take women forward — politically, socially and educationally,” she said.
Women's political role
Neog remarked that women’s role in political affairs has not been as strong as expected. “In the entire world, women have not been able to march ahead on par with men so far as political rights of women are concerned,” she added. She also pointed to social and educational factors that have limited women’s empowerment.
