PNS|Hyderabad
BRS MLC Kavitha on Friday appealed to people to come out to vote in cities especially. She further demanded that a compulsory voting system be introduced in the country. “Participation is very critical for vibrant democracy”, she said.
Kavitha attended and spoke at the book launch of Nidhi Sharma’s “She the Leader” book launch in New Delhi. As a key panellist, the MLC began by congratulating the author on the launch of this book. The former MP from Nizamabad Kavitha has been a major proponent of tabling and passing of the Women’s Reservation Bill.
While responding to the question “Why is politics not the first choice for women?”
Kavitha said that “Politics is very a personal decision, saw my father – Telangana movement happened and because of that, we became a part of the movement and then politics happened”. She added, “I wanted to be a business person so that I could give time and start my own business but got involved with politics.”
Kavitha further said, while answering questions on the Women’s Reservation Bill said that, “The political parties are a reflection of our society, as long as there is no compulsion to include women – until then nothing is going to happen. It is imperative for political parties to give women that space, irrespective of which party it is. ‘Winnability’ as a factor to win an election prevails, over giving women there due share. Only women from the political background will get that space if the reservation is not implemented. The BJP must pass this bill today, they passed a bill to change the name of three acts, they can do it- why can’t they do it for the women’s reservation bill? Asked Kavitha.
Kavitha added that “In corporate India, women fought their way up but their representation in the boardroom is still low. Women must get a seat at the table. The sad reality is that almost 80% startup’s by women are not given loans by banks and so many businesses owned by women aren’t taken seriously.”
She spoke extensively about the alarming state of drop in the women workforce. There is a 10% drop, only 29% are working today. This is the stigma of the society and gets reflected in boardrooms political parties, in Bollywood, in sexism across sectors.”
While speaking about sexism, Kavitha recalled sexism by politicians who refused to acknowledge women in parliament and rejected reservation. Kavitha insisted that it might sound revolutionary but it is necessary to have reservations for women.
MLC Kavitha emphasised that “ The current government has a mandate they can’t pass it. Thankful to Madam Sonia Gandhi for passing it in Rajya Sabha. Now the parties in power must take it forward. “
Kavitha added, As the daughter of Telangana CM, I am not privileged when the Telangana movement started. I walked on a tough path to be where I am today. Being a CM’s daughter, I still lost the election. I am not privileged, there is a limitation for women at every level. Leadership needs to come together to fix this.
