Quota women’s right, not charity:Lok Sabha Speaker

​Vijayawada: Making a strong pitch for women's reservation in Parliament and State legislatures, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan on Sunday said it was something that should be given respectfully without any bickering.

Asserting that reservation for women was the need of the hour, she criticised those opposing the proposal, referring to protests against it in the earlier sessions in Parliament. Sumitra Mahajan said that women should get their right share in law-making bodies without any confrontation or as a charity.

While addressing the valedictory session of the National Women’s Parliament at Pavitra Sangamam at Ibrahimpatnam near here on Sunday, she said helping women for empowering them is nothing but contribution to the development of the nation.

“Women, who constitute half of the country`s population should not beg for their rights. She is not the taker, but the giver.

There were heated arguments between the Members in Parliament earlier on giving 33 per cent reservation to women. We should not expect that type of situation.

It should not be like that some people are giving charity to women by giving reservation. The reservation to women should be given with respect,” she asserted.

Describing women as the best administrators, she said empowering women is nothing but developing the society and the country.

“The abilities of a woman start from home where she manages the house and family with love and compassion, without expecting any gains. She is a good driver. She should be in driving seat to navigate the society and nation,” Sumitra Mahajan said.

While appreciating the initiative of AP government for organising National Women’s Parliament, she recalled that last year two women Parliamentarians’ conclaves were held at Jaipur and New Delhi, which have also discussed the rights of the women.

She appreciated the initiative of the government for bringing here girl students and women from across the country as well as from other countries. The Lok Sabha Speaker called for conducting such events on a regular basis across the country for creating awareness among the women about their rights

While referring to P V Sindhu, Sania Mirza, Koneru Humpy and others who achieved success in their own specialised fields, she said the women have proved themselves as the best in whatever field they chose right from the ancient days.

Later, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, State Assembly Speaker Dr Kodela Sivaprasada Rao and Legislative Council Chairman A Chakrapani felicitated the Lok Sabha Speaker.