JOIN US Making the continuing harassment of women, particularly the Delhi gang-rape, as the central thesis of her speech at the All India Congress Committee (AICC) session, party president Sonia Gandhi on Sunday said she would “personally continue to press” for the passage of women’s reservation bill.
Sonia sent out a strong message by saying that social mindsets that lead to unspeakable atrocities on women and children cannot be tolerated. “Every woman and girl in our country has a fundamental and Constitutional right to feel safe and secure, to enjoy full equality in every respect,” she added.
In a sharp reaction to questionable statements that came in response to the gang-rape, she said: “In the last few weeks, some public figures have come out with truly shocking statements reflective of these completely unacceptable attitudes.”
She said the AICC meeting was taking place in the backdrop of the concern over the safety and security of women. “The barbaric gang-rape of a young woman in the nation’s Capital has shaken the entire country. People are rightly demanding answers and action.”
“This brave young woman in many ways embodied the spirit of an aspirational India. We will ensure that her death will not go in vain. She is, tragically, a symbol of thousands of women and children who suffer similar fate, whose lives are ruined and who are denied justice.
Gender justice and equality was one of the five topics that was discussed over the past two days at the Chintan Shivir. There was acknowledgement that our government has taken many steps to ensure the welfare and wellbeing of women,” Gandhi said.
The issue also figured at the meeting of party sub-group on women empowerment.
The Congress chief also said she will try her best to ensure that the women’s reservation Bill, pending in Parliament, is passed.
“I assure you that I will personally continue to press for the passage of the law that would provide for one-third reservation for women in Parliament and state legislatures.”
Noting that fighting corruption was the main agenda of the last AICC session held in 2010, she said the UPA government has reviewed all discretionary powers of ministers that could lead to misuse of public office, and have instituted more open methods of allocating natural resources.
“We have introduced path-breaking legislation for redressing public grievances, for protecting whistleblowers and for ensuring transparency in large government purchases and contracts. Let me reiterate: Corruption at all levels is a deep-rooted malaise and all sections of our society are affected by it. We must fight it.”
She also laid stress on preparing the party for the 2014 Lok Sabha elections and said if the party workers come together and work with discipline, there is no doubt that they would again win people’s mandate.
She noted that people are disillusioned by the political institutions and the government bring changes to that effect.