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| CUKashmir hosts panel discussion on “Women’s Reservation Bill Naari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam-2023 | |
Ganderbal, April 13 (Scoop News)-Central University of Kashmir (CUKashmir) today organized a comprehensive and engaging panel discussion on “Women’s Reservation Bill (Naari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam 2023) for Gender Equity and Justice,” bringing together a large number of academicians, policy analysts, research scholars and students to deliberate upon the transformative potential of the landmark legislation.
Vice-Chancellor, Prof. A. Ravinder Nath, Registrar Dr. Nisar Ahmad Mir, JNU Professor of Political Science, Prof. Vandana Mishra, Founder and Director, Pinnacle IHM, Hyderabad, Dr. Sri Devi Y., I/c Controller of Examinations, Prof. Naseema Chandrikalayam, Associate Prof. Dept. of Urdu, Dr. Nusrat Jabeen, Sr. Asst Prof Dept. of Law, Dr. Gulafroz Jan, Sr. Asst Prof Dept. of Management Studies, Dr. Mir Insha Farooq, Sr. Asst Prof and HoD, Political Science, GDC, Ganderbal, Lt. Dr. Salma Khan, Ms. Shagufta Administrative Officer, One Stop Centre, Ganderbal, and Hindi Adhikari, Dr. Sakina Akhter, research scholars and students with the moderator Asst Prof. Dept. Politics and Governance Dr. Himabindu.
Addressing the gathering, Vice-Chancellor Prof. A. Ravinder Nath said the Indian traditions have long recognized women as embodiments of strength, knowledge, and prosperity. “The representation of women as Saraswati, Lakshmi, and Parvati reflects a deep cultural acknowledgement of their multifaceted contributions. However, this symbolic reverence has not always translated into substantive empowerment in public life. The Women’s Reservation Bill, therefore, represents an attempt to bridge this gap between cultural ideals and political realities. By institutionalizing women’s participation in legislative bodies, the Bill seeks to align societal values with democratic practices,” he said.
Speaking on the occasion, Registrar, Dr. Nisar Ahmad Mir reflected on the persistent gender disparities across social, economic, and political domains, noting that legislative interventions such as the Women’s Reservation Bill are essential to bridge these gaps. He emphasized that empowering women has a multiplier effect on society, particularly in breaking cycles of poverty and enhancing educational and economic outcomes. He expressed hope that the deliberations would yield actionable insights at institutional and societal levels.
In her address, Prof. Vandana Mishra offered a distinctive perspective on the discourse of equality. She argued that rather than seeking mere equality, women should recognize and assert their inherent strengths and capabilities. She emphasized that women possess unique qualities in leadership, management, and decision-making, which can significantly enhance the quality of governance. She further highlighted women’s role in fostering inclusive decision-making within families, managing resources efficiently, and demonstrating resilience in challenging circumstances. She noted that the participation of women in politics would bring about a qualitative transformation in the culture, language, and priorities of political discourse.
Dr. Sri Devi Y. described the Naari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam as a historic and corrective measure aimed at addressing the longstanding underrepresentation of women in legislative bodies. She pointed out that despite constituting nearly half of the population, women’s representation in Parliament has remained disproportionately low, increasing only gradually from around five percent in the early years of independence to approximately 15 percent in recent times. She argued that the proposed 33 percent reservation would create a critical mass necessary for meaningful participation and influence in decision-making processes. Emphasizing the importance of women leaders, she noted that their presence would bring greater focus to key areas such as healthcare, education, sanitation, and gender-sensitive policymaking.
Providing a historical perspective, Lt. Dr. Salma Khan traced the journey of the Women’s Reservation Bill, noting that the idea dates back to 1996 and has witnessed multiple attempts before finally materializing after nearly three decades. She highlighted the success of women’s reservation at the grassroots level through the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments, which significantly enhanced women’s participation in Panchayati Raj Institutions.
Addressing the participants, Dr. Nusrat Jabeen, Dr. Gulafroz Jan, Dr. Mir Insha Farooq, Dr. Himabindu, and Dr. Sakina Akhter, strongly advocated that the implementation of the Bill would not only ensure greater representation but also improve governance by making it more responsive and inclusive, particularly in addressing issues such as gender-based violence, healthcare access, and social justice. They also highlighted structural and cultural barriers, including patriarchal norms and limited access to political opportunities, which the legislation will address.
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