Women’s organisations seek immediate implementation of reservations

A large-scale 2K walk organised by the Joint Forum of Women’s Organisations echoed with demands for the immediate implementation of women’s reservations without linking them to the Census and delimitation process. Women leaders and activists marched from Tummalapalli Kalakshetram to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Smruthivanam on Bandar Road in Vijayawada, protesting against the anti-women policies of the Central and State governments.

The speakers alleged that the Centre was deliberately delaying the implementation of women’s reservations by linking the Bill to Census and delimitation exercises. They accused the BJP government of using women empowerment as an election slogan while avoiding actual implementation.

A.P. Women’s Federation State general secretary P. Durga Bhavani said women’s organisations had been fighting for reservations in legislatures for over three decades, but successive governments had stalled the Bill with various excuses. She criticised the Centre for introducing new conditions despite claiming that the Women’s Reservation Bill had already been passed.

All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA) national leader D. Ramadevi termed the move a denial of women’s rights and alleged that the BJP was using the issue for political gains. Congress leader Sunkara Padmasri accused the Centre of treating women merely as a vote bank and failing to ensure justice in crimes against women.

Former MLC K.S. Lakshmana Rao, who flagged off the 2K run, also criticised the Modi government for delaying the implementation of quota for women. Several leaders from women, labour, and civil society organisations participated in the programme.