“We have come a long way and we have a long way to go,” is how Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA from Chandni Chowk Alka Lamba has responded on the issue of women empowerment.
“It is good that an increasing number of women have begun to work to earn their living leading to their economic independence. But when it comes to respect for women, the nation has not made much progress. There is no dearth of misogynists who frequently make noise about what kind of clothes should a woman wear without realising that change should happen in their mindset,” says the feisty leader.
Ms. Lamba is in the city to participate in the National Women’s Parliament (NWP) at Amaravati.
“Challenges galore but we must evolve mechanisms to overcome them. The advanced technology is a boon that can be liberally brought to use by women. Unlike in the past when scores of cases related to atrocities against women were pushed under carpet, social media brings to light many of them today,” she says.
She says the much-delayed Bill seeking 33% reservation for women in legislative bodies is a key component in women empowerment. “The Congress Government could not achieve this on the pretext that the party did not have majority in Rajya Sabha. They brought the Bill at the fag end of their tenure perhaps to show that they did make an attempt. But Modi government has no excuse,” she insists.
Reminding that three years have gone by, she says: “Now women want their 33% quota. If Modi feels he has no majority in the RS, let him first take it to the Lok Sabha and then get it passed in Rajya Sabha. If Mr. Modi is really sincere about women empowerment, his government should prove it by tabling the Bill.”
Ms. Lamba started her political career as a student president of the Delhi University Students’ Union and later joined the Congress party. After a long association with the party, she switched loyalties to the Aam Admi Party.
Where is the hitch, she asks
“I clearly see lack of political will to pass the women’s Bill. Union Minister from this State Venkaiah Naidu hides behind ‘consensus’. When the BJP has full majority at the Centre, where is the hitch,” she wonders.
She says difficulties for women will continue to exist. But women should identify their strengths and fight their way to success. “If you continue to be in your nutshell and expect things to fall in place on their own, you are mistaken. Struggle will only make you strong,” she emphasises.
