Ganderbal: Rekha Sharma on Wednesday said the Women’s Reservation Bill would ensure equitable political participation for women and strengthen democracy by making it more inclusive and representative.
She was delivering an online lecture on “The Women’s Reservation Bill: Constitutional Vision for Gender Equity and Democratic Representation in India” under the distinguished lecture series organised by the Central University of Kashmir.
Addressing faculty members, research scholars and students, Sharma described the Women’s Reservation Bill as a historic step aimed at correcting long-standing imbalances in political representation.
“The Bill reflects the spirit of the Constitution by seeking to correct structural imbalances in political representation and by opening new avenues for women to actively participate in governance and decision-making processes,” she said.
She said that despite progress in different sectors, women remain underrepresented in legislative bodies and that the bill should be seen not merely as a legislative reform but as a mechanism to strengthen democracy.
“A truly vibrant democracy must reflect the voices and aspirations of all sections of society, especially women, who constitute nearly half of the population,” she said.
Sharma also highlighted challenges faced by women in entering politics, including social and cultural barriers, lack of institutional support and limited access to resources.
Referring to the wider impact of greater representation of women in legislatures, she said increased participation often results in more inclusive policymaking, particularly in the fields of health, education and social welfare.
She said women leaders bring unique experiences and perspectives that contribute to more balanced governance.
The Rajya Sabha member also stressed that political empowerment must go hand in hand with social and economic empowerment. She urged universities and academic institutions to promote discussions on gender equality and constitutional values through the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam.
In her concluding remarks, Sharma called upon students and young scholars to actively participate in the democratic process and contribute towards nation-building.
The programme was chaired by Naseema Chandakalayam, while coordinator Himabindu said the lecture provided an opportunity for students and scholars to interact with the MP and discuss the implementation of the Women’s Reservation Bill.
