Hyderabad: Women’s organisations and representatives of political and social groups demanded the immediate implementation of the Women’s Reservation Act without linking it to the census or constituency delimitation process. They raised the demand during a meeting of the State Alliance for Women’s Reservation in Hyderabad.
Shantha Sinha chaired the meeting at Raja Bahadur Gour Hall in Makhdoom Bhavan, Himayat Nagar. Representatives of women’s organisations, civil society groups and political parties attended the programme.
Women’s Reservation Act implementation urged
The participants said delaying the Women’s Reservation Act would deny women adequate representation in decision-making bodies. They urged the Union government to enforce the law without waiting for the census or delimitation exercise.
Shantha Sinha called on women to raise their voices against poverty, illiteracy and poor health. Rama Melkote said the legislation would promote social justice and increase women’s participation in governance.
CPI leader Pashya Padma recalled the efforts of veteran leader Geeta Mukherjee to build consensus on the Women’s Reservation Bill. She alleged that the BJP government had delayed implementation by linking it to the census and constituency delimitation process.
The participants resolved to intensify their campaign for the implementation of the Women’s Reservation Act. They also appealed to democratic organisations to unite for greater political empowerment of women across the country.
Among those who addressed the meeting were Professor Surepally Sujatha, Sunitha Deepti, Ashalatha, Rukmini, Puli Kalpana, Sister Lizzy and Professor Rama Melkote. Representatives of several political parties also attended, including Kalvakuntla Kavitha, Mallu Lakshmi, V. Sandhya, Sharada, Tripurana Venkataratnam, Arunodaya Vimala, Lakshmi Ragulapalli and Shantha.