Women in large numbers staged a demonstration in front of the Mahatma Gandhi statue here on Tuesday demanding passage of the Women's Reservation Bill in the coming session of Parliament.
In her address, Ruth Manorama, General Secretary, Women's Voice and President of the National Alliance of Women (NAWO), said that the Bill should be enacted, irrespective of the controversies surrounding the demand for sub-quota for various communities. The quotas can be included by amending the Act, once it is passed, she added.
Shataj Begum, Sheela and Shymala Jeevananda, organising secretaries and leaders of Women's Voice addressed the dharna.
Meets Governor
Later in the day, Ms. Manorama led a delegation to Raj Bhavan where they submitted a memorandum of demands to the Governor.
The memorandum included many facets of the Bill, such as India ranking low in gender development; history of women's empowerment and failure to give them due share in political affairs; a brief of the Women's Reservation Bill 2010; myths surrounding the Bill; stand of political parties on the Bill; and the need for its passage.
