The Uttar Pradesh assembly has decided to set aside a day during the Monsoon session, which is scheduled to begin on September 19, for female public representatives to address issues that concern them.
Speaker Satish Mahana made a decision in this regard, which is seen as a significant step towards the empowerment of women, after being informed by female MLAs during an interaction that they were not given the proper opportunities to speak in the House.
Following the question period on the designated day, "all women members will be given an opportunity to speak on the issues they want to," Mahana added.
The assembly is authorised to have 403 members, yet there are only 47 women among that number. It has also previously had subpar representation. Women members from all parties are therefore supportive of the speaker's action.
"We work through many issues at work because we live in a patriarchal society. Whatever our occupation, we all deal with pressing issues. In politics, this is more evident. At the government or district administration levels, no one takes women representatives seriously. A decision to reserve one day for women members will set a trend. No other state assembly has taken such a step, according to Congress Legislature Party leader Aradhana Mishra, also known as "Mona," who was one of the lawmakers who asked the speaker to set aside a specific time slot for female MLAs.
"We had requested a different time slot for speaker Satish Mahana. Typically, female members are unable to voice their concerns. We may not all be skilled public speakers. We will undoubtedly benefit from having a designated day or time slot for female members, the Congress leader continued.Ragini Sonkar, a Machhlishahar MLA for the Samajwadi Party, praised the decision as a wise move. “We are half of the population. Despite that, we are only 9 per cent of the total number of elected representatives in parliament, the state legislature and local bodies. We are only 47 women MLAs in the state assembly out of 403 members. We are not given due participation in any sphere. As an opposition MLA, I don’t get many opportunities to speak in the House. I am grateful to the Speaker for taking the decision, which is a great step towards women empowerment,” said Sonkar, an ophthalmologist who completed her MD from AIIMS-New Delhi in 2021.
Aditi Singh, a Rae Bareli MLA for the BJP, referred to it as a much-needed and long-awaited action. “This initiative will ensure that the women members, who otherwise are not able to speak, will get their due and can raise issues. This is certainly a new idea and new approach,” she remarked.
The first female prime minister, late Indira Gandhi, was sent to parliament by Uttar Pradesh. Two women served as chief ministers of the state: the late Sucheta Kripalani and Mayawati four times. Yet throughout time, there has been no improvement in the representation of women in the state assembly.
