Stating that the world was looking towards India to bring in the Women’s Reservation Bill, United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women executive director Michelle Bachelet on Wednesday said: “We want to see India giving reservation to women in Parliament and the world is waiting to see the outcome. If enacted this law could potentially lead to one of the most significant changes in India since Independence in 1947.’’
Ms. Bachelet was speaking on her first official visit to India which is aimed at drawing attention to efforts to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment, including at the grassroots level. “Unlocking women’s potential and increasing their political and economic partnership and leadership is critical from the district offices to the corporate boardroom, from the Lok Sabha to the village panchayats. This will send a clear message to the world that India is leading the way for democracy, for women and for equality. In India quotas have spurred one of the greatest successes globally in women’s empowerment and grassroots democracy,’’ she added.
During the three-day trip, Ms. Bachelet will meet private sector leaders at a high-level meeting hosted by the Confederation of Indian Industry. Also to advance efforts to invest in women’s leadership in South Asia, Ms. Bachelet will launch a unique regional centre of excellence for elected women representatives at the local level during the national leadership in Jaipur, noted a UN Women release.
