Women's quota: UN body lauds Naveen Patnaik

BHUBANESWAR: UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, has appreciated BJD president and chief minister Naveen Patnaik for initiating 33 per cent reservations for women in Parliament and state assemblies.

In a letter to the chief minister (a copy of which is with TOI), deputy country representative of UN women, Nishtha Satyam said such a commitment is likely to renew dialogue on the issue at the national level.

“We commend your thought leadership and support on the fact that the economic and social progress can be sustained, only if half of the population, have a role in the highest decision-making bodies of the state and country,” Nishtha noted in the letter.

The letter said UN recognizes the fact that real, transformative and irreversible progress can only be achieved if women are equal partners in decision-making.

UN Women has been partnering with the state government for nearly a decade working towards gender equality and women’s equal political participation.

To ensure passage of the Women’s Reservation Bill, the BJD leaders have reached out to leaders of various political parties. The chief minister has recently written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and chief ministers of all states seeking their supports to pass the bill.

The state government reserves 50 per cent seats for women in panchayati raj institutions and urban local bodies.