Nari Shakti Vandan Act will see more women in leadership role: Delhi CM

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, describing the ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Act’ as historic on Monday, said the provision of 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and state assemblies is not just a legislative reform, but a step towards ensuring their active role in decision-making.

Welcoming the legislation and expressing her gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the visionary policies formulated under his leadership to empower women, Gupta said women play a pivotal role in the nation’s progress, development, and in establishing country’s identity at the global stage.

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Taking part in the ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Sammelan’ held at Vigyan Bhawan here in the presence of PM Modi, while highlighting the long and difficult journey of Indian women, she noted that society has moved past challenges such as sati, child marriage, illiteracy, and female foeticide. “There was a time when even the existence of daughters was under threat. Today, under the Prime Minister’s leadership, the country has moved beyond ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ to an era of ‘Beti Badhao’,” she added.
Referring to changes since the year 2014, Gupta claimed that women’s dignity and safety have been placed at the centre of governance. She described initiatives such as household toilets under the ‘Swachh Bharat Mission’, smoke-free kitchens through the Ujjwala scheme, and financial inclusion through Jan Dhan accounts as major milestones in improving lot of women.
Women today, she said, are not only advancing in education, but serving in the armed forces and flying fighter jets to defend the country. Citing the examples of late Sushma Swaraj and Nirmala Sitharaman, Gupta said assigning women key portfolios such as external affairs and finance, clearly demonstrates that leadership and decision-making are not limited by gender.
She said the provision of 33 per cent reservation for women in state assemblies and Parliament will open up leadership opportunities for nearly 700 million women in the country.”
Minister for Women and Child Development Annapurna Devi, Minister of State Savitri Thakur, and National Commission for Women Chairperson Vijaya Kishore Rahatkar were also present at the event, along with women representatives from across the country.