On the occasion of the International Women’s Day, Rajya Sabha chairman Hamid Ansari on Tuesday joined members in expressing concern that women still faced inequality and marginalisation in education, job opportunities and health. The occasion also witnessed Railway minister Mamata Banerjee announcing that she will
consider naming one of the trains after Rani Lakshmibai, a great freedom fighter. The suggestion was made by Mr Ganga Charan of the BSP. “It is a good suggestion and I will consider it,” she said during discussion on the Railway Budget.
Earlier, in a statement on the occasion of International Women’s Day, Dr Ansari said that while the demand for equal political and economic participation of women has achieved substantial results, much work remains to be done. He described the passage of the Women’s Reservation Bill by the Rajya Sabha in 2010 as a “historic legislative initiative”.
“It is an unfortunate fact that women in reality face inequality and marginalisation in terms of education, job opportunities, pay and health. Women are still haunted by crime and violence directed against them, including female infanticide, foeticide and demand for dowry,” he said. Dr Ansari said besides the constitutional and moral values, women’s issues should be looked at from the economic perspective. “We cannot afford to ignore or be deprived of the economic contribution, enterprise and innovation of a half of our population,” Dr Ansari said.
Women members from TDP, Congress, BJP and CPI(M) raised issues of vviolence, rape and dowry. Raising the matter during Zero Hour, Gundu Sudha Rani (TDP) said while women have occupied top positions, there is “little improvement” in terms of female infanticide.