Women’s role in lawmaking must grow, says Om Birla

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Friday said women are excelling across sectors, including business, education, and science, and their participation in policymaking and lawmaking must grow accordingly.

Addressing the valedictory session of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) India Region West Zone (Zone VII) conference in Panaji, Birla also said that from panchayats to State assemblies and Parliament, women’s representation should be strengthened, with a greater role in shaping law.

“Women are excelling across sectors, including business, education, and science, and their participation in policymaking and lawmaking must grow accordingly,” he said.

Birla’s comments came days before a special sitting of Parliament where the ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam’, more commonly known as Women Reservation Act, would be amended for its implementation from the 2029 general elections.

The Act will ensure an increase in the number of Lok Sabha seats to 816, of which 273 will be reserved for women.

The provision to provide 33 per cent reservation to women in the Lok Sabha and State assemblies was brought by amending the Constitution in 2023, but it was expected to come into effect only in 2034 after the completion of the delimitation exercise on the basis of the 2027 Census.

To make it enforceable from the 2029 general elections, the Government has proposed the amendments to the law.

The Budget session of Parliament has been extended, and a special three-day sitting has been convened on April 16 to 18.

The speaker said India is entering a new era, and it is time to significantly increase women’s representation in legislative bodies.

“The Constitution of India has evolved through timely amendments to meet the nation’s changing needs,” he said.

Earlier, addressing the students at the Goa University, Birla said it is encouraging to see a significant number of women coming forward to serve the nation and that the women’s reservation law will strengthen their representation in the legislature.

He said that many young people claim to stay away from politics, but it remains a powerful tool to address societal challenges and improve lives.

Birla said it is encouraging to see a significant number of women among trainee officers from services such as IPS and IAS visiting Parliament.

“To further strengthen women’s representation in legislatures, the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam was passed in the new Parliament,” he said.

The speaker said active participation of youth in democratic processes is essential, and greater youth involvement in democracy leads to enhanced transparency and accountability in governance.

“Increased participation of young people in policymaking will help realise the vision of a developed India by 2047,” he said.

Birla said casting a vote in elections alone is not sufficient; ensuring accountability in governance is also a key responsibility of the youth.

At the valedictory session of the CPA, the speaker said young legislators engaged in thoughtful and responsible discussions on both themes of the conference.

“The insights and discussions from this forum should be carried forward and shared within respective constituencies and legislative assemblies,” he said.

Birla said the coastal States of Gujarat, Maharashtra and Goa have demonstrated how challenges can be transformed into opportunities, driving regional development.

“While ensuring environmental conservation, these States have successfully promoted tourism and trade,” he said.