PANAJI
The momentous passage of the women's reservation bill in the Lok Sabha was greeted with elation although the lack of a timeline for its implementation is a dampener, several politicians and women leaders including those not involved in electoral politics said.
Goa's Opposition Leader, Yuri Alemao, Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai, former Union law minister, Ramakant Khalap, Mahila Shakti Abhiyan President, Nelly Rodrigues, women's activist Dr Sabina Martins and some academicians too have hailed the development.
"I welcome the passing of the Constitution 128th Amendment Bill 2023 Women’s Reservation Bill with a hope that it will be implemented at the earliest. Empowering women has always remained a priority for the Congress party," Alemao said, adding that the need for fresh delimitation to begin after the new Census report means it may become effective only in 2032 for the Goa Assembly elections and if the process is completed in time, for the Lok Sabha in 2029 or perhaps 2034 elections.
"It's not the action but the intention behind it that makes it good or bad. A gift consists not in what is given but in the intention of the giver. It appears that the Women’s Reservation Bill brought by the BJP government is a colossal betrayal of hopes of millions of Indian women, girls & OBCs," Alemao added.
GFP president Vijai Sardesai welcomes the Bill and hopes representation to women will be followed with elected representatives having the merit to take up core issues of almost 50% of the world’s largest democracy.
Former Union Law Minister Ramakant Khalap said, he congratulates the women of India and thanks all those who made this achievement possible.
"Goa Assembly has 40 seats of which 13 will be reserved every five years. The rotation every five years will ensure that the entire Goa gets the opportunity to send women to the Goa Assembly over a period of 15 years. Lok Sabha has two seats from Goa and a special provision to reserve North and South Goa seats over three elections will ensure proper representation to women in Goa. In addition, Goan women will have the right to contest elections from general constituencies as well,” Khalap said.
Women’s activist Dr Sabina Martins said, it was good that the Women’s Reservation Bill got the support of all political parties but flagged the lack of a timeline for its implementation as it is linked to the Census and subsequent delimitation.
“If the Bill had granted 33 per cent reservation now which could be implemented in the 2024 general election, then it would be an achievement,” Martins said.
Since all parties support 33 per cent reservation, I would say implement it in 2024. Why wait for the Bill which has no timeline,” she asked adding that in Goa where there are just two seats, one must be reserved for women although it would mean 50 per cent quota.
“We should go beyond those numbers. Why not both the seats to women? If men represented all these years, why not the women?” Dr Martins asked.
According to Dr Seema Salgaonkar, Professor of political science at the Government College, Khandola, in Goa, the reservation for women at the panchayat level has given a platform to women to come forward and contest in the male-dominated political arena.
“Women from even the ST and OBC communities are coming forward and contesting. The reservation at the State Assembly will similarly give a major boost to women interested in politics, to come forward,” Dr Salgaonkar said, adding that it is sad to see that women are basically not encouraged to make a place in the world of politics.
“This Bill will open the doors,” she adds.
Nelly Rodrigues who has made a mark at the Zilla Panchayat level being elected thrice and donning the chairperson’s post of the South Goa Zilla Panchayat twice, admitted that reservation was why she stepped into the electoral arena at the panchayat level. “It certainly empowers. Reservation gives a platform for women who are otherwise prioritising their families and children,” Rodrigues told The Goan.
“It was long awaited but it has finally come and is a welcome development. Women who are more than 50 per cent of the population will get a greater say and there will be better decision making and budget allocations for women and child-related matters,” Rodrigues said.
