Ansari said that while the demand for equal political and economic participation of women has achieved substantial results, much work remains to be done.
Rajya Sabha chairman Hamid Ansari on Tuesday joined members in expressing concern that women still faced inequality and marginalisation in education, job opportunities and health.
In a statement on the occasion of International Women's Day, Ansari said that while the demand for equal political and economic participation of women has achieved substantial results, much work remains to be done.
"It is an unfortunate fact that women in reality face inequality and marginalisation in terms of education, job opportunities, pay and health. Women are still haunted by crime and violence directed against them, including female infanticide, foeticide and demand for dowry," he said.
Ansari said besides the Constitutional and moral values, women's issues should be looked at from the economic perspective. "We cannot afford to ignore or be deprived of the economic contribution, enterprise and innovation of a half of our population," Ansari said.
He described the passage of the Women's Reservation Bill by the Rajya Sabha last year as a "historic legislative initiative".
Women members from TDP, Congress, BJP and CPI(M) sought a better deal for women. They said women face discrimination at the ground level and are victims of ills like violence, rape and dowry.
Raising the matter during Zero Hour, Gundu Sudha Rani (TDP) said while women have occupied top positions, there is "little improvement" in terms of female infanticide.
Demanding immediate passage of the Women's Reservation Bill by the Lok Sabha, Rani said 50% of the seats in panchayats should be reserved for women.
Brinda Karat CPI(M) said Indian women do not feel safe in their own country. Over two lakh cases of violence have been registered, of which 27% were against minors. "How do we talk about development" when children and working women are not safe.
Maya Singh (BJP) said on the one hand, women are considered as Durga and Lakshmi, but on the other they are victims of rape and violence.
Viplove Thakur (Congress) said laws relating to welfare of women are not implemented properly. She said "unless mindset of men" is changed, things would not improve.
Later, railway minister Mamata Banerjee said she appreciated a suggestion made by a member during discussion on the Railway Budget to name one of the trains after Rani Lakshmibai, a great freedom fighter.
"It is a good suggestion and I will consider it," she said.
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