The Women’s Reservation Bill: A Historic Step Towards Gender Equality

Women’s Reservation Bill: In a landmark decision, the Union Cabinet recently cleared the Women’s Reservation Bill (WRB) during a crucial meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This significant development marks a long-awaited move towards achieving gender equality in India’s political landscape. The bill’s approval has generated both praise and debate among political leaders and citizens alike, as it seeks to reserve one-third of the seats in state legislative Assemblies and Parliament for women. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the history of the Women’s Reservation Bill, its significance, and the reactions it has garnered.

Understanding the Women’s Reservation Bill

Women’s Reservation Bill, formally known as the Constitution 108th Amendment Bill, 2008, is a legislative proposal aimed at reserving 33% of the total seats in state legislative Assemblies and Parliament for women. This bold initiative also includes sub-reservations for Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and Anglo-Indians within the 33% quota. The bill outlines a system of rotating reserved seats among different constituencies in each state or union territory. Additionally, it specifies that the reservation for women will remain in effect for 15 years from the commencement of the amendment act.

Historical Perspectives

The journey of the Women’s Reservation Bill dates back several decades, with several attempts to introduce it in the Indian political landscape:

1. Rajiv Gandhi’s Initiative (1989): The idea of women’s reservation in elected bodies was first introduced by former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in May 1989. He presented the Constitution Amendment Bill, which aimed to provide one-third reservation for women in rural and urban local bodies. While it passed in the Lok Sabha, it faced rejection in the Rajya Sabha later that year.
2. P.V. Narasimha Rao’s Success (1992-1993): In 1992 and 1993, Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao reintroduced Constitution Amendment Bills 72 and 73, which reserved one-third of all seats and chairperson positions for women in local bodies. These bills successfully became law, leading to a significant increase in the number of elected women representatives in panchayats and nagarpalikas across the country.
3. Deve Gowda’s Attempt (1996): In September 1996, then-Prime Minister Deve Gowda’s government introduced the 81st Constitution Amendment Bill in Lok Sabha for women’s reservation in Parliament. However, the Bill did not gain approval and lapsed with the dissolution of the Lok Sabha.
4. Vajpayee’s Efforts (1998-2003): Subsequent governments led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee attempted to pass the WRB Bill multiple times between 1998 and 2003, but it faced continued opposition and failed to gain support.
5. UPA Government’s Push (2004-2010): The Women’s Reservation Bill gained momentum during the Manmohan Singh-led UPA government-1. It was included in the Common Minimum Programme in 2004 and eventually tabled in Rajya Sabha in 2008. After receiving approval from the Union Cabinet in 2010, the bill was passed in the Rajya Sabha with overwhelming support. However, it was never considered in the Lok Sabha and lapsed in 2014.

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Current Status

It’s important to note that bills introduced and passed in Rajya Sabha do not lapse, which means that the Women’s Reservation Bill remains active today.

Conclusion

The Women’s Reservation Bill is a historic step toward achieving gender equality in India’s political landscape. While its journey has been marked by challenges and debates, its recent approval by the Union Cabinet is a promising development. As the bill progresses, it is likely to bring about significant changes in the representation of women in India’s legislative bodies, ultimately contributing to a more inclusive and equitable democracy.

The journey of the Women’s Reservation Bill reflects the evolving attitudes and efforts towards gender equality in India’s political sphere. As the nation continues to debate and discuss this crucial issue, the bill stands as a testament to the determination to empower women and ensure their active participation in shaping the country’s future.