Billed as a landmark decision, India’s parliament has passed legislation that guarantees parliamentary seats for women lawmakers.
The Lok Sabha, or the lower house of India’s parliament, approved the law on Wednesday, and the upper house, or the Rajya Sabha, passed it unanimously on Thursday evening — more than two decades after a parliamentary proposal was submitted to give greater representation to women.
After the bill was passed, Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated it on social media, describing it as a "defining moment" in India's democracy.
"With the passage of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam (Women’s Empowerment Reservation Bill) in Parliament, we usher in an era of stronger representation and empowerment for the women of India," he said. "This is not merely legislation; it is a tribute to the countless women who have made our nation."
The law mandates that one-third of seats in the lower house of parliament and state assemblies must be held by women. However, this law does not apply to the upper house of Parliament since its members are chosen by state legislatures.
However, the new legislation will only come into effect after India conducts a census and then redraws the boundaries of parliamentary constituencies. No date has yet been announced for completing the census that was scheduled to be held in 2021 but was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Lok Sabha, or the lower house of India’s parliament, approved the law on Wednesday, and the upper house, or the Rajya Sabha, passed it unanimously on Thursday evening — more than two decades after a parliamentary proposal was submitted to give greater representation to women.
After the bill was passed, Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated it on social media, describing it as a "defining moment" in India's democracy.
"With the passage of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam (Women’s Empowerment Reservation Bill) in Parliament, we usher in an era of stronger representation and empowerment for the women of India," he said. "This is not merely legislation; it is a tribute to the countless women who have made our nation."
The law mandates that one-third of seats in the lower house of parliament and state assemblies must be held by women. However, this law does not apply to the upper house of Parliament since its members are chosen by state legislatures.
However, the new legislation will only come into effect after India conducts a census and then redraws the boundaries of parliamentary constituencies. No date has yet been announced for completing the census that was scheduled to be held in 2021 but was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
