Women's reservation bill most transformative revolution in our times for gender justice: President Droupadi Murmu

President Droupadi Murmu. File Pic

A day after the government introduced a bill to provide 33 per cent reservation to women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday said it will be the most "transformative revolution in our times" for gender justice, reported news agency PTI.

President Droupadi Murmu was addressing a gathering after inaugurating the biennial conference of the national human rights institutions (NHRIs) of Asia Pacific held at the Vigyan Bhawan in Delhi.

The women's reservation bill was the first bill to be introduced in the new Parliament building on Tuesday.

"We have ensured a minimum of 33 per cent reservation for women in local bodies' election... In a more pleasant coincidence, a proposal to provide a similar reservation for women in state assemblies and national Parliament is taking shape now. It will be the most transformative revolution in our times for gender justice," the President said.

The event is being organised by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in collaboration with the Asia Pacific Forum (APF) from September 20-21.

Amina Bouayach, secretary of Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI), and Doo-Hwan Song, chairperson, APF, and NHRC chairperson justice (retd) Arun Kumar Mishra were also present on the occasion.

The APF will also hold its 28th Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Wednesday to discuss the issues of common interest to member countries. In the conference, more than 1,300 delegates from India and abroad are likely to participate, the NHRC earlier said.

The conference is being attended by heads, members and senior officials of the NHRIs of various countries, along with representatives from the Union and state governments, state human rights commissions, special rapporteurs, monitors and various institutions involved in the protection and promotion of human rights in the country.

After the House proceedings began, Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal on Wednesday moved the women's reservation bill for consideration and passage in the Lok Sabha, saying it is a step towards women empowerment.

The constitutional amendment bill was introduced in the Lower House on Tuesday. It was the first bill introduced in the new Parliament building.

The bill provides for 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. The reservation will come into effect only after the completion of the census and delimitation exercise.

(With inputs from PTI)