Women's reservation Bill: A tryst with destiny
The historic Women's Reservation Bill, ensuring 33% reservation to women in Indian Parliament as well as in state legislative bodies has been passed by the upper house of Indian Parliament with much political fanfare and controversy. What makes it distinctly different from other Bills, passed in Indian Parliament so far, is its overwhelming repercussion for the Indian woman who has faced enormous difficulties at home, at educational institution and at work place, only to emerge stronger and victorious. As our Prime Minister puts it, the Bill is “…a giant step forward in strengthening the process of emancipation (of women)." What is more crucial in this socio-economic paradigm is the trickle-down effect of the Women's Reservation Bill—to the remotest and most conservative corner of the country—where it ideally should make a difference to the lives of countless women by giving them a right to be heard in the male-bastion of politics. This opens up a new era for Corporate India also, as the Bill paves the way for similar reservations in board room, in line with what we see in Norway where companies get penalized if they fail to induct at least 40% women as their board members.