Date:26/01/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/01/26/stories/2008012653670800.htm
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Karnataka - Bangalore

‘Women should stand above party politics to fight for their rights’

Special Correspondent

Bangalore: The national president of the Bharatiya Janata Party Mahila Morcha and MP Kiran Maheshwari has called upon women to stand above party politics for fighting for their due rights in the overall interest of national development.

Seminar

She was addressing a seminar on “Role of women in politics – from Panchayat to Parliament”, organised by the State unit of the Mahila Morcha here on Friday.

The 74th amendment to the Constitution had facilitated 33 per cent reservation for women in the local bodies. But there were apprehensions about the abilities of women in discharging the responsibilities at various levels.

Representation

Although women constituted 50 per cent of the country’s population, their representation in the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, Legislative Assembly and Council would hardly exceed 10 per cent, she said.

It was time for the women of the country to unite and show society what they were capable of, she added.

Women had been innately blessed with qualities such as patience, compassion and a responsive attitude.

They should employ these qualities in understanding society and its problems.

‘Prove themselves’

They should first prove themselves humane and committed social workers, and then become politicians, she said.

Many women MLCs, former MLAs, advocates, doctors, educationists and others participated in the seminar.

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