Itanagar, April 15: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu emphasized on Wednesday that women’s participation in policymaking is a crucial indicator of development. He noted that in developed countries, women’s representation in governance often ranges from 40% to 50%.
Addressing a special event themed “Celebration of Power, Equality, and Leadership,” the Chief Minister highlighted that currently, women’s representation in India’s Lok Sabha is approximately 13.6%, while in state assemblies, it stands at around 9%.
In Arunachal Pradesh, there are only four female legislators in the 60-member assembly, underscoring the urgent need to enhance women’s participation in politics. Speaking before an audience filled with female leaders, successful personalities, students, and dignitaries, Khandu described the ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam’ as a historic reform poised to transform India’s political and governance landscape.
He explained that the law, passed in 2023 under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, mandates 33% reservation for women in Parliament and state assemblies. Khandu reminded the audience that the demand for women’s reservation has been ongoing since 1996, with numerous attempts made over the years, culminating in the bill’s passage in 2023 with broad political consensus.
Khandu announced that a special session of Parliament will take place from April 16 to 18 to finalize the rules and discuss implementation methods, aiming to enforce this reservation by the 2029 elections. He urged women to think beyond the 33% quota and actively participate in leadership roles and decision-making processes.
Highlighting various initiatives aimed at women’s empowerment, the Chief Minister mentioned schemes like the ‘Dulari Kanya Yojana,’ which provides financial assistance of ₹50,000 for higher education to female students, benefiting over 13,800 individuals so far. He also referenced the ‘HPV Vaccination Campaign,’ which offers free vaccinations to girls aged 14; the first phase of this campaign has identified 19,000 beneficiaries.
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