It is indeed an honour and privilege to address this distinguished gathering of eminent women leaders who are at the helm of the legislative process and play a pivotal role — as Speakers, Chairpersons and Deputy Speakers of their respective Parliaments.

India has been at the vanguard of women’s participation in both the Legislature and the Executive.  We were one of the first countries in the world to have a woman Prime Minister and today we have a woman President.  The present Lok Sabha or the House of People, that had a year ago unanimously elected me as its first woman Speaker, also has the largest number of women members so far.  The Chairperson of the ruling coalition is a woman and so is the Leader of  Opposition.

Women in India, have played an integral role in nation building and strengthening the foundation of our society.  We believe that democracy and development can never be equitable if women are excluded from dialogue leading to policy making and implementation.

Our Constitution provides for 33% reservation in local bodies for women.  Today, more than one million such elected representatives are women. Besides recently the Council of States has passed a bill to provide 1/3^rd reservation for women in the Parliament and State legislatures. Our planning process includes gender budgeting and perceives women as agents of change.  The Joint Parliamentary Committee on empowerment of women, functioning since 1997 has contributed significantly in this area.

Several programmes have been initiated for their economic empowerment. Nearly half of the people working under the Government’s flagship National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme providing a minimum of 100 days of work in a year are women.  We have millions of Self-Help Groups and Cooperatives run by women.  We also have a National Credit Fund for Women that makes available collateral-free micro-credit for undertaking income generating activities.  Our National Rural Health Mission, the Universalization of Elementary Education programme and the Integrated Child Development Services are all directed towards addressing the three issues most vital to women i.e. healthcare, education and childcare.  Our midday meal scheme that benefits more than 110 million primary school children has improved attendance including that of girls. A nutrition scheme for adolescent girls is also being implemented in 200 districts.

However , even today gender segregation and glass ceiling in jobs still prevents  women entry into certain sectors and core decision making processes.   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 ourselves to ensure that the role of our gender in society is elevated 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.

We believe that violence against women is a brutal manifestation of gender disparity.  It is extremely distressing to know that the most common form of violence experienced by women globally is the violence by those who are entrusted with protecting them be it her partner or family.  Another disturbing trend which has been witnessed increasingly is the use of violence against women as retribution in conflict situations.

Our Parliament has been strident in enacting legislations that address issues which greatly endanger women’s safety and security like trafficking, commercial sexual exploitation, dowry demands, female foeticide, honour killing and domestic violence.  India has also been at the forefront of all international efforts that seek to empower and secure women. India is a signatory to the UNIFEM’s ‘Say no to Violence Campaign’. 

I also observe a welcome transformation with women emerging as agents of change in the struggle against gender biases. Numerous women advocacy groups are striving to project the issue of gender equality in the national and international arena.  The collective strength and courage of these women coupled with state intervention will definitely give impetus in securing equality of opportunities and their participation in governance and decision making.  It is imperative that we join hands globally and strive towards developing a social consciousness, which condemns violence against women.  

Thank you.