As India sharpens its focus on inclusive governance, a major national initiative is set to spotlight women’s role in policymaking.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend a high-level gathering in Delhi aimed at building awareness around the women’s reservation bill.

The “Nari Shakti Vandan Sammelan” aims to highlight the need for stronger representation of women in legislative institutions.

Organised by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, the event highlights the importance of women’s participation in decision-making, from grassroots governance to national leadership, while focusing on building a more inclusive and progressive India.

It will gather accomplished women and leaders from diverse sectors, including business, science, media, sports, and social work, encouraging dialogue and collaboration to strengthen women’s role in shaping policies and driving inclusive national progress.

Several key figures are expected to attend, including Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Vijaya K Rahatkar, who heads the National Commission for Women.

Union ministers Annapurna Devi Yadav and Savitri Thakur will also participate. Notably, the Prime Minister is expected to interact directly with attendees, reinforcing his vision of women-led development as essential for achieving a developed India by 2047.

Meanwhile, preparations are underway for a special session of Parliament starting April 16. The government plans to introduce a constitutional amendment bill that proposes 33% reservation for women in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.

In addition, another bill proposing an increase in Lok Sabha seats is expected, though it faces strong opposition from the Indian National Congress.

Importantly, this push builds on the passage of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam in September 2023. The law mandates one-third reservation for women in Parliament and state assemblies. However, its implementation has been pending.

With renewed urgency, the government now aims to operationalise the policy ahead of the 2029 general elections.

Therefore, the upcoming Parliament session is seen as a crucial step toward turning legislative intent into reality.

Image from Pxhere (Free for commercial use / CC0 Public Domain)

Image Published on February 07, 2017

Image Reference: https://pxhere.com/bg/photo/636765