Rise in poll percentage of women hailed

Kakinada: Several women social activists welcomed the all-time rise in poll percentage of women voters to 78.63 in East Godavari in the polling for general elections held on April 11. Social activist and retired engineer P Padmaja Vani said that the increase in percentage to 78.63 indicates awareness on women rights and it should rise further and reach cent percentage.

Noted gynaecologist, social activist and convener of Centre for Empowerment and Development of Women Aluri Vijayalakshmi termed it as indication for women awareness and their activism. This should lead to gender equality by empowering women in all fields, particularly in political and law making bodies.

Dr Vadrevu Veeralakshmi Devi, noted writer and social activist termed it as women activism towards empowerment. This activism should lead to women reservations in law making bodies to 33 per cent which has been kept in abeyance for several years. This activism should also lead to women representatives in law making bodies to take decisions on their own without interference by males particularly their kin, Veeralakshmi Devi felt.