VIT Chancellor G. Viswanathan emphasized that the law providing 33 % reservation for women in Parliament and state legislative assemblies must be brought into effect.
He shared this at the recently held International Women’s Day celebration at Vellore Institute of Technology campus.
Linda C. Sorto, Director, Boeing Engineering, Germany took part in the event as Chief Guest. The event was attended by VIT Vice Presidents Sankar Viswanathan, Sekar Viswanathan; Executive Director Sandhya Pentareddy; Vice-Chancellor Kanchana Bhaaskaran; Registrar Jayabharathi; Director of Student Welfare Naiju, Students and others.
VIT Chancellor G. Viswanathan presided over the event. While addressing the gathering, he shared that among the 193 countries listed by the United Nations, there are only 19 female presidents and 22 female prime ministers. Even in developed countries like the United States, 106 nations have never elected a woman as president or prime minister.
Globally, women hold about 23 percent of cabinet positions and 26 percent parliamentarians. In India, women constitute 14 percent of Lok Sabha members and 10 percent in state legislative assemblies.
The law reserving 33 % seats for women in Parliament and state assemblies was passed in 2023. However, when it will actually come into force remains uncertain. Touching upon the literacy angle, he said that in India, male literacy stands at 80 percent, while female literacy is 62 percent.Kerala leads with 95 percent female literacy, while Bihar lags at 50 percent.
In the North Arcot districts, through the Universal Higher Education Trust, scholarships have been provided to 11,000 students to pursue higher education, with 67 percent of them being girls. VIT University stands as a pioneer in the country in this regard.
The Tamil Nadu government’s Pudhumai Penn scheme provides Rs.1,000 per month to government school girl students for higher education. This should be extended to private school students as well. Only then will women’s labor force participation increase.
India ranks 131st in the Gender Equality Index. Countries like Singapore, Korea, and the United Arab Emirates are in the top 20. The United States is at 45th, Bangladesh at 24th, and Pakistan at 148th. We must progress in this index.
VIT Vice Chairman Sekar Viswanathan spoke, stating “Women must achieve economic independence. When all women receive education, society will progress. Crimes against women must be prevented. Gender equality must be achieved. Discrimination against women in workplaces must be eliminated. Tamil Nadu was the first to introduce equal property rights for women. Tamil Nadu leads in women’s development.”
Chief guest Linda C. Sorto said “Girl students should show interest in everything. They must face challenges and succeed.”
Honorary guest Divya Amarnath, Alumni of VIT, Vice President of Human Resources at Red Bus, also participated and spoke. Several women and girl students who achieved excellence in various fields were honored with awards.
