Women must get 33 pc representation in Parliament: Shabana

Mumbai, Mar 10 (UNI) Well-known actor and social activist Shabana Azmi has demanded that women be given 33 per cent representation in Parliament.

Delivering a keynote address yesterday at a function organised by the Indian Merchants' Chambers (IMC) Ladies Wing's in South Mumbai, she said women had fought for independence shoulder-to-shoulder with men, under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi.

''But, after Independence, sadly, women got only 4 per cent representation in the Parliament. Even after 60 years, women's share of seats in Parliament is no more than 8 per cent. The situation must change and women must get 33 per cent representation,'' she demanded.

Shabana blamed the chauvinistic mindset of various political parties for depriving women of their rightful share in the country's decision-making process, a release said here today.

''Different segments of the Indian population mentally live in different periods of time, some modern, many mediaeval and others ancient. Also, being multi-linguistic, multi-religious and multi-ethnic, the mindset and values of people are highly diversified,'' she said ''At one end of the Indian population spectrum, we find highly emancipated people, cherishing noble human values. But at the other end, we find extremely obscurantist people, who believe in treating women as chattels and they are engaged in female foeticide,'' the Rajya Sabha MP said.

Citing the findings of studies, the actress said about 70 per cent pregnancy deaths in India were preventable, if only the family paid a little more attention to the woman's health.

''Seventy per cent of pregnancy deaths are tantamount to 400 aeroplane crashes a year. It is sad that enough attention is not being given to women's health and their rights. Interest of the girl child must be central to our government's policies,'' Shabana added.

UNI