Camp Office, Bern, Switzerland

17 July 2010

Hon’ble Speaker, Smt. Meira Kumar, addressed the Sixth Meeting of the Women Speakers of Parliament being held at Berne from 16-17 July, 2010. The meeting of Women Speakers of Parliament is discussing action to be taken by Parliaments on maternal, child and new born health which feature as MDGs 4 and 5 to be attained by 2015.  The discussions resumed today with the President of Council of States of Switzerland, Mrs. Erika Forster-Vannini, in the Chair.

Hon’ble Speaker, Lok Sabha, spoke on empowering women, including by addressing violence against women . Smt. Kumar highlighted the fact that India has been at the vanguard of international commitments to women’s human rights and women’s participation in both the Indian Legislatures and the Executive. She said that the present Lok Sabha which unanimously elected her as the first woman Speaker, also has the largest number of women members so far.

Smt. Kumar touched on the various aspects of women empowerment in India today – more than a million elected representatives in the local bodies are women, the Council of States has passed a bill for one-third reservation for women in Parliament and State Legislatures and our planning process includes gender budgeting based on a perception of women as agents of change. The Joint Parliamentary Committee on Empowerment of Women functioning since 1997, has contributed significantly in this area. She admitted that in spite of the various nation-wide schemes for women’s participation in work, efforts for education as well as health of women and children, gender disparities remain.

Women Speakers of Parliaments, listened with rapt attention when she said “I am of the view that gender disparities are more due to a lack of proper understanding of women’s capabilities than any real frailty of will and wisdom.  In fact, it is for women  like us to ensure that the role of our gender in society is alleviated from a stereotype of weakness and indecision to one of power and responsibility. We have to be catalysts for changing mentalities and addressing cultural stereotypes”.

Turning to violence against women, Smt. Kumar stated that Parliament has been strident in enacting legislations that address issues endangering safety and security. Pointing out that India is a signatory to the UNIFEM’s “Say No to Violence Campaign”, Smt. Kumar, said that she perceived a welcome transformation around the world with women emerging as agents of change in the struggle against gender biases.

Women Speakers from Albania, Romania and Rwanda also spoke on the theme of violence against women in conflict situations. The meeting also considered the key points emerging from the discussion yesterday and today for the President of IPU to report to both the UN as well as the General Assembly of IPU scheduled to be held in September and October 2010, respectively.