NewKerala.com

Anju Bobby George Hails Women's Reservation Bill as Boost for Sports & Politics

Former long jumper and Athletics Federation of India senior vice-president Anju Bobby George has welcomed the renewed government push to implement the Women's Reservation Bill. She stated that reserving 33% of legislative seats for women is a positive step towards accepting women in politics and empowering them. Anju emphasized that having representatives from fields like sports would help bridge the gap with policymakers and ensure athletes' voices are heard. The government is extending Parliament's session to expedite the bill's implementation, potentially by increasing total seats to accommodate the quota without affecting existing representation.

Key Points: Anju Bobby George Supports Fast-Tracked Women's Reservation Bill

  • Bill reserves 33% seats for women in legislatures
  • Implementation aimed from 2029 elections
  • Anju says it aids sports-policy connect
  • Quota may involve increasing total seats
  • Seeks political consensus for faster rollout
2 min read

'Good that they are ready to accept women in politics': Anju Bobby George backs fast-tracking of Women's Reservation Bill

Former athlete Anju Bobby George welcomes the push to implement 33% women's quota in legislatures, citing benefits for sports representation and policymaking.

"It's good that even in politics, they are ready to accept women, 33% at least. - Anju Bobby George"

New Delhi, April 6

Former long jumper and Athletics Federation of India senior vice-president Anju Bobby George has welcomed the renewed push for the Women's Reservation Bill, terming it a significant step towards strengthening women's representation in policymaking, while also highlighting its potential benefits for the sporting ecosystem.

Her remarks come as Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the extension of the ongoing Budget Session of Parliament to expedite steps to implement 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state legislative Assemblies from the 2029 general elections.

Speaking on the development, Anju underlined that the move aligns with long-standing conversations around women's empowerment and inclusion in leadership roles.

"It's good that women are also getting reservations. We are always talking about 'Women's Empowerment', but it is good that even in politics, they are ready to accept women, 33% at least," Anju Bobby George told IANS.

She also pointed out that greater representation from diverse fields, including sports, could help bridge the gap between policymakers and on-the-ground stakeholders. Emphasising the importance of adequate representation, she noted that a stronger presence of women in legislative bodies would ensure their concerns are heard more effectively.

"If somebody comes from sports to represent us, then it's easy for us to connect with the authorities, right, and they can do something good for the sports also. They are the policymakers. So, if our representation is there in an adequate number, then their voice will also be heard," she added.

The Centre's proposal includes exploring mechanisms, such as increasing the total number of seats in Parliament and Assemblies, to accommodate the quota without affecting existing representation, while also addressing concerns about delimitation.

The Women's Reservation Bill, passed in September 2023, had earlier been linked to the completion of the Census and delimitation exercise. The latest move aims to accelerate its implementation timeline, with the government seeking consensus among political parties.

As the debate gains momentum, Anju's remarks contribute to the growing chorus of voices from outside politics supporting the legislation as a step toward more inclusive governance.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

A
Arjun K
Anju Bobby George makes a great point. Having representatives from sports and other fields in policy-making can bring practical ground-level experience. Hope this leads to better funding and infrastructure for our athletes.
S
Sarah B
As an expat following Indian politics, this is a significant development. Inclusive governance is key to a nation's progress. Hoping this bill paves the way for more women leaders across all sectors.
R
Rohit P
Finally! 33% is a start. Our mothers, sisters, and daughters deserve a seat at the table where decisions are made. This should have happened decades ago, but chalo, ab to ho raha hai.
K
Kavya N
I appreciate Anju's support, but the focus should be on merit and capability, not just reservation. Let's ensure qualified women get these positions, not just relatives of existing politicians. The system needs safeguards.
V
Vikram M
Good move by the government. Consensus among all parties is important for such a historic bill. More women in Parliament will definitely change the kind of issues that get priority. 👍

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50