Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday urged all political parties to work towards ensuring 33 per cent representation for women in State Legislative Assemblies and the Lok Sabha, saying women’s leadership is essential for shaping the country’s policies.
Addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the occasion of India’s 80th Independence Day, PM Modi highlighted the contributions of women representatives in Panchayats, Municipalities and Municipal Corporations.
He said the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam was passed by Parliament with the aim of strengthening women’s representation in politics.
“My dear fellow citizens, today in Panchayats, Municipalities, and Municipal Corporations, our women public representatives are guiding the nation in very large numbers, solving local challenges, and providing exceptionally capable and empowering leadership. Keeping this in mind, we passed the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam in Parliament,” PM Modi said.
He said the issue of greater women’s representation in the political arena had remained entangled in political differences for decades.
“Today, from the ramparts of the Red Fort, standing under the shadow of the Tricolor, I earnestly appeal to and urge all political parties of our nation: Come forward and celebrate the strength and capability of our women. Step forward in honor of our women, and as swiftly as possible, ensure our mothers and sisters receive 33% representation in the State Legislative Assemblies and the Lok Sabha so that they can actively contribute to shaping India’s policies,” he said.
The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023, was passed by both Houses of Parliament and provides for 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies, subject to the constitutional process involving delimitation and census.
The Prime Minister also spoke about the challenges India faced over the past 12 years, including the COVID-19 pandemic and conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia.
He said the country encountered several difficulties after emerging from the pandemic, while wars and global tensions created an uncertain international environment.
“In the last 20-12 years, we have faced many dangers. As soon as we emerged from Covid, there was news of wars that started to arise from Ukraine side and West Asia. An atmosphere of tension prevailed. God knows what all the predictions the predictors made!” PM Modi said.
-ANI
