Approve 50% Women Reservation Bill Now: G. Parameshwara Urges Centre at Tumakuru Event

NewsFlash Daily™

20 March

Karnataka Home Minister calls for immediate passage of Women’s Reservation Bill in Parliament, highlights empowerment progress at International Women’s Day event

Tumakuru: In a strong push for gender equality in politics, Karnataka Home and District In-charge Minister G. Parameshwara urged the Centre to approve the long-pending 50% Women Reservation Bill in Parliament, stating that it is crucial to ensure equal political representation for women in the country.

He made the remarks while inaugurating the International Women’s Day celebrations organised by the district administration in Tumakuru on Friday.

Call for Equal Political Representation

Parameshwara remarked that granting 50% reservation to women in Parliament and State Legislative Assemblies would be a historic step toward true empowerment.

“The Women's Reservation Bill must be approved in Parliament. It will ensure 50% representation for women and strengthen democracy,” he asserted.

Historical Context of Women’s Reservation

Highlighting past reforms, he recalled that during the tenure of Rajiv Gandhi, constitutional amendments enabled 50% reservation for women in local bodies, which significantly improved women’s participation in Gram Panchayats, Taluk Panchayats, Zilla Panchayats, and Urban Local Bodies.

He further noted that during Manmohan Singh’s tenure, a similar bill was introduced in Parliament but failed to secure approval in the Rajya Sabha at the time.

“At least now, the Central Government should approve this bill and empower women,” he added.

Women Leading Across Sectors

The minister stated that India has made significant strides in empowering women, with women today outperforming men across various fields, reflecting changing social dynamics and increased opportunities.

He also highlighted that the state government has implemented several schemes focused on women’s empowerment, as promised in its manifesto.

Officials Stress Self-Reliance and Opportunity Creation

Speaking at the event, District Collector Shubh Kalyan emphasized that opportunities should be created rather than awaited, especially for women who juggle responsibilities both at home and in professional spaces.

He also underlined the importance of health awareness among women, urging them to prioritise their well-being while managing multiple roles.

The District Collector noted key administrative achievements, including the identification of 1,160 revenue villages in the district and the upcoming issuance of 22,000 rights certificates, calling it a major governance milestone.

Focus on Financial Independence

Justice Noorunnisa stressed that women should focus on achieving financial independence and self-reliance, rather than competing with men.

She pointed out that while women have made progress socially and economically, true empowerment lies in financial autonomy and decision-making power.