Historic Milestone: India Passes Women's Reservation Bill

Social Issues Social Inequalities and exclusion

Posted by pallavi on 2024-09-04 03:31:11 |

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India achieved a significant legislative milestone with the passage of the Women's Reservation Bill, 2023, ensuring that 33% of seats in the Lok Sabha (lower house) and state legislative assemblies are reserved for women. The bill received overwhelming support in both houses of Parliament, signaling a major shift toward gender equality in Indian politics. This law marks a long-awaited step forward, as the first version of the bill was introduced in 1996, but faced decades of delays and debates.

At the time of its passage, only 14% of Lok Sabha members were women, far below the global average of 26.5%. The new legislation aims to boost this representation significantly, with provisions set to be implemented following the next census. The bill will remain in effect for 15 years, potentially transforming the political landscape by empowering more women to participate in governance. Critics, however, point out the lack of specific provisions for women from Other Backward Classes (OBC), calling for further amendments to ensure inclusivity.

This legislation places India among the 64 countries globally that have enacted similar gender quotas, with the potential to foster greater gender equality in politics and policy-making. The bill’s passage is seen as a historic moment, but its true impact will unfold as it is implemented in the coming years.

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