Chandigarh, August 8, 2024 (Yes Punjab News)
Dr. Baljit Kaur, Minister of Social Security, Women and Child Development, today attended a program at Hotel Shivalik View as the chief guest, discussing the participation of women in politics in the context of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023 (Women’s Reservation Act).
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Baljit Kaur stated that the Punjab Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, is continuously working towards the empowerment of women.
In line with this objective, the Punjab Government has implemented a Gender Budget. She mentioned that for the first time, a Gender Budget has been presented in the state to eliminate gender-based inequality and ensure the equal distribution of resources.
Dr. Baljit Kaur further highlighted that the political participation of women is very low at both state and national levels. She noted that whenever given an opportunity, women have made significant contributions in every field, whether it be sports, education, health services, police, or the army.
She pointed out that women have always fought for their rights. Women now have the right to 50% reservation in Panchayati Raj institutions and the act to reserve one-third of the seats for women in Parliament is being implemented.
Dr. Baljit Kaur also remarked that the struggle for women’s voting rights, which began in the early 1900s, transformed into a national movement.
She mentioned that after independence, in 1950, the Indian Constitution granted voting rights to both men and women. As a result of these changes, the political participation of women in India is increasing, although many challenges still remain.
Sharing her personal experiences, Dr. Baljit Kaur said that despite the male-dominated social structure, discrimination, illiteracy, financial challenges, cultural and social barriers, women have established their place in the political arena. She said it is encouraging that the government is now implementing an act for reserved seats for women.
She advised young women to fight for their rights, stating that success comes only with perseverance. She emphasized that no matter how many challenges they face, women can achieve anything with their determination.
She concluded that this program would prove to be a significant step in the efforts to increase women’s political participation.
