WPC asks Govt its position on Women's Reservation Bill

New Delhi, July 24 (UNI) Disappointed over the UPAs failure to table the Women's Reservation Bill, members of the Women Power Connect (WPC), a national organisation comprising 400 women's groups and individuals, demanded that the government explain its position on the issue.

''Women of India have been let down and the UPA should explain what it is doing to fulfil the promise made in the Common Minimum Programme (CMP) on the issue,'' WPC President and Centre for Social Research Director Ranjana Kumari said.

The WPC also expressed concern over cases of sexual harassment of women at workplace, public places and within homes.

A WPC delegation today called on Head of Parliamentary Committee on Empowerment of Women Krishna Theerat and discussed the reservation issue.

She alleged that the Government does not have a proposal on the issue and ''just mention it in the party manifesto and the Common Minimum Programme''.

''The Government is just paying lip service to the whole issue. It has not initiated any process, unlike the previous NDA government which had at least table the bill for discussion, Dr Ranjana Kumari said.

Women's groups are actively lobbying for the passage of sexual harassment and Women's Reservation Bill in the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament.

The WPC, in a letter to all MPS, has sought the support for tabling of the bill in the session for discussion. It has also urged the MP to play a key role in ensuring security for women by initiating discussion on the Draft Bill on the prevention of Sexual Harassment.

It also urged the MPs to ensure legislation and enforcement of the Prevention of Sexual Harassment Bill, which at the moment is in a draft stage and is pending discussion in both Houses of Parliament.

''We are happy that the legislation to protect women against domestic violence has become a reality and the draft bill is ready for discussion....,'' the WPC president said.

''While the passage of prevention of the domestic Violence Act 2005 has empowered women socially, there is need to continue working for their political empowerment,'' she said.

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