Reserve Because They Deserve

We – women from various organizations working for the rights of women in India, irrespective of our caste, class and religion – demand that the 33% Women’s Reservation Bill be passed in the Lok Sabha. The passage of the Bill in the Rajya Sabha has been a significant step. However, the bill cannot become a law unless it is passed in the Lok Sabha and endorsed by at least 15 State Assemblies. 
  
Mandatory reservation for women in Panchayats and local bodies has facilitated the entry of millions of women (from villages, small towns and cities) into the political arena. Today, women from all castes, classes and religions are actively carrying out their responsibilities as Sarpanchs, Panchayat members, Block Development Officers members, Zilla Parishad Chairpersons and members, Mayors and so on in different States of India. These women have faced tremendous odds to enter into the electoral fray; many of them are role models for their community and all women per se. Their presence has brought many important women’s issues on the agenda of Panchayats and local bodies. This positive experience needs to be strengthened and replicated at all levels. 

Women's representation in the Parliament is vital on the grounds of social justice and for legitimacy of the political system. Gender is a social-political-economical category, like class and caste, and the three intersect seamlessly. Empirical evidence shows that ‘women’ as a category have been subjugated, accorded a lower status and deprived in every manner possible.
As far as the representation of Dalit women is concerned, there is already a provision in the Bill for 33% quota for women within the existing 22% SC/ST quota. Even if the Bill is passed in its present form, it will ensure the presence of at least 40 SC/ST women MPs in the Parliament (far more than the 17 in the present Lok Sabha).

Regarding, representation for the OBC women it needs to be understood that without the aid of reservation, OBC representation in Assemblies and the Parliament has increased to form a sizeable contingent (proportional to their representation in the population), especially after the Mandal Commission’s recommendations. In the 14th Lok Sabha, out of the 50 women MPs, 30% (15 in all) belong to the OBC category. The performance of OBC women in electoral politics seems to match those of OBC men. This is so because it is the position of the candidate and party in the social balance of forces, rather than individual privilege alone, that is the main consideration in candidate selection and electoral victory. Thus, it can be said that the constituencies from where a male OBC candidate could win, a OBC women candidate would be equally eligible to win, taking into consideration the various caste/class political dimensions that play part. Therefore, the entry of OBC female candidates will not alter the composition of representations of various castes in the Parliament and State Legislature bodies.

While the gross under-representation of Muslims in legislatures (both male and female) needs redressal, this can hardly be resolved within the ambit of the Women’s Reservation Bill. The Ranganath Mishra Commission recommendations have emphasised the need for minority reservation in education and jobs. We demand the immediate provision of 10% reservation in education and jobs for Muslims belonging to backward classes.

As women we stand in solidarity with our Dalit, OBC, Muslim brothers and sisters, and with all secular forces in the fight for advancement of all communities. We also stand shoulder–to- shoulder with all our sisters in the country for the advancement of the rights of women.  

We call upon all political parties in the Parliament to come together and ensure the smooth passage of the 33% Women’s Reservation Bill in the Lok Sabha without delay.

We appeal to all forces opposing the bill to shed their fears and support the cause of women’s rights and equality in our country.