Punjab Minister Dr. Baljeet Kaur (file photo)
Addressing a program organized on women’s participation in Chandigarh, Dr. Baljit Kaur said that the Punjab government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann is making continuous efforts to empower women. To fulfill this objective, Gender Budget has been implemented by Punjab Government. He said that gender budget has been introduced for the first time in the state to remove caste-based disparity and equal distribution of resources.
Dr. Baljit Kaur further said that the political participation of women at state and national level is very less. He said that whenever women have had the opportunity, they have made important contributions in every field, be it participation in sports, education, health services, police or the army. He said that women have always struggled to get their rights. Women have got the right to 50 per cent reservation in panchayat raj institutions and now a law is being implemented to reserve one-third seats in parliament for women.
Dr. Baljit Kaur also said that the struggle for women’s suffrage that started in the country in the early 1900s turned into a national movement. He said that women and men got the right to vote in the Indian constitution in 1950 after independence. The result of this change is that women’s political participation in India today is increasing, but many challenges remain.
Dr. Sharing her personal experiences, Baljit Kaur said that despite male-dominated social structure mentality, discrimination, illiteracy, financial challenges, cultural and social barriers, women have made their place in the political arena. He said that it is a matter of happiness for women that now the government is implementing the law of reserved seats for women.
She advised young women to fight for their rights, dedication can only lead to success. He said to always remember that no matter how many difficulties you face, you can achieve anything with your strong determination. He said that the program would prove to be an important step in efforts to increase political participation of women.
