Urban Ministry to give 50% reservation to women

Currently only one-third of the seats in urban local bodies are reserved for women. Some states like Kerala, Karnataka and Maharashtra, however, have reserved 50% seats for women and soon, this will be applicable in all the states.

Union Urban Development and Parliamentary Affairs Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu at the inaugural session of a two-day international conference on gender equality and urban poverty announced that the Union government is considering bringing in a law that would make way for 50% reservation for women in all urban local bodies.

This step is being taken to increase women’s participation in urban policy making. According to Minister Naidu encouraging women’s participation in urban policy-making will also boost development of ‘engendered cities. He added, "Women are more vulnerable to the harshness of urban inequities and they struggle more in terms of job security, pay parity, access to credit, suitability of working conditions, access to safe water, education and healthcare, housing etc."

According to the Hindu Business Line, Naidu said, “The HUPA ministry has already held consultations with States on 50 per cent reservation for women in urban local bodies through an amendment to the Constitution.” He added that the Housing for All scheme, will promote joint ownership of houses that’ll be built, and will give preference to women headed households, single women under different components like Credit Linked Subsidy, Rental Housing etc.

HUPA Secretary, Dr. Nandita Chatterjee, said that urban women are susceptible to residential, occupational and social vulnerabilities. To help this, she said, an effort is being made to improve the skill and asset base of urban women to improve their livelihood opportunities.

The Hindu>