Look beyond narrow politics and pass women reservation bill: Jayalalithaa

All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) General Secretary and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Ms J Jayalalithha on Friday called upon all political parties to "look beyond narrow divides" and ensure that the Women's Reservation Bill becomes law without further hiccups or delays.

“The passage of the Women's Bill is a small, but historic step in the tumultuous journey of the Bill. Before the Bill becomes law, it has to be passed by Lok Sabha,” Jayalalithaa said in a statement adding she congratulated both ruling and opposition parties for voting in favor of the bill in the Rajya Sabha.

Stating that women, forming almost half of the country’s population, had been subjected to discrimination in a male-dominated society, she said women’s reservation “is but a small step in setting right this anomaly and ensuring gender parity.”

She said when the Bill becomes law; the country would need women of calibre to take up positions in State Legislatures and Parliament.

“AIADMK will take necessary steps towards grooming and developing women of substance for a positive political role in future”, the former Chief Minister said, adding a committee was being formed by her party to work out the training modules for women in elocution, law, financial management and political science.

She also recalled various initiatives for women taken during her earlier rule, including setting up of All—Women Police Stations.

- Asian Tribune -