Women Will Go Beyond 33% Representation in Legislatures: Om Birla

NEW DELHI, Sept 7: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Monday expressed confidence that women’s representation in India’s legislative bodies will eventually exceed the 33 per cent reservation provided for them in state legislative assemblies and the Lok Sabha.

Addressing a two day capacity building workshop for women legislators organised by the National Commission for Women (NCW) in Faridabad, Birla said women have played a significant role in India’s transformation, from the freedom struggle and Constitution-making to nation building.

“There is already 33 per cent reservation, but in the coming time, women will lead beyond that percentage in the states, legislative assemblies and the Lok Sabha,” Birla said.

He observed that women’s leadership has expanded across political, social, administrative and private sectors, with women increasingly occupying influential positions in different fields.

Birla also pointed to the country’s presidency being held by a woman, describing it as an example of women’s growing role in national leadership.

Women Must Shape Policies and Laws

The Lok Sabha Speaker said women should not be regarded only as beneficiaries of government welfare programmes. Instead, they should take a more active role in framing policies, designing schemes and making laws.

“The time has now come not merely to say that the government is giving something to women or that the government is working towards women’s empowerment. Women themselves will make policies, formulate schemes and make laws,” he said.

He said the workshop would enable women legislators to exchange experiences and ideas while discussing policies, legislation and government programmes aimed at addressing issues affecting women.

Birla described strengthening the capabilities of women representatives as an important part of democratic capacity-building. He stressed that dialogue and participation are essential to finding solutions to people’s aspirations, difficulties and challenges.

Over 50% Leadership Expected in a Decade

Birla also highlighted the increasing participation of women in public services and said their representation in leadership roles has grown considerably.

He noted that women once accounted for a relatively small share of leadership in services such as the IAS, IPS and Forest Service, whereas their presence has now increased substantially.

Looking ahead, he expressed confidence that women would account for more than half of the leadership in government services and institutions at the national and state levels within the next 10 years.

The Speaker urged women legislators to strengthen their understanding of parliamentary procedures, policymaking, legislation and budgetary processes. He also called upon them to use their positions to promote inclusive governance and contribute to the development of their respective states and the country.

NCW Stresses Role in Nation Building

NCW chief Vijaya Rahatkar said meaningful participation of women in governance is essential for creating an inclusive, responsive and equitable society.

She said women legislators contribute perspectives and experiences that can strengthen policy formulation and public decision-making. Their role, she added, extends beyond women’s issues to areas such as education, healthcare, the economy, technology, environment, infrastructure, digital security and good governance.

Rahatkar said India’s ambition to become a developed, self-reliant and innovation-driven nation cannot be achieved without the full participation of women in nation-building.

“Women’s empowerment is not a separate agenda; it is a key part of the national development agenda,” she said.

She also highlighted the NCW’s initiatives, including She is a Changemaker and Catalyst for Change, aimed at strengthening women’s participation and leadership.

The commission’s Campus Calling programme has also expanded its outreach, with Rahatkar stating that it had been conducted at more than 850 campuses over the past 10 months.

Workshop Focuses on Gender-Responsive Governance

The two-day All-India Capacity Building Workshop on Gender-Responsive Governance is being held in Faridabad under the NCW’s flagship She is a Changemaker initiative.

The programme seeks to strengthen the political and governance capabilities of women legislators and provide them with a platform to exchange views on public policy, legislation and effective governance.

Among those attending the event were Odisha Legislative Assembly Speaker Surama Padhy; Chhattisgarh Women and Child Development Minister Laxmi Rajwade; Kerala Ministers Bindhu Krishna and K A Thulasi; Haryana Food and Civil Supplies Minister Rajesh Nagar; West Bengal Minister of State Kalita Majhi; and NCW Member Secretary Sudeep Jain.