Women's groups meet President Pratibha Patil;press for women's quota

New Delhi, Aug 18 (UNI) Delegates of two women's organisations today met President Pratibha Patil and sought her intervention for women's reserevation bill besides taking up other issues concerning the fairer gender.

National Federation of Indian Women general secretary Annie Raja, who was among the seven-strong delegation which called on the President, told UNI the President gave them a patient hearing. She said their delegation, including working president Gargi Chaturvedi, also took up the issues of female infanticide, trafficking in women, malnourishment among women and children and atrocities against women, especially those belonging to the scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and minorities.

Mrs Raje said the President appeared equally concerned about the issues they had submitted in a memorandum to her. She expressed hope that the President would take up all these issues with appropriate authorities.

A Rashtrapati Bhawan spokesperson, while confirming their 10-minute interaction with the President, said another delegation of All India Women's Conference also met Mrs Patil today and discussed women-related issues with her.

UNI