The champions of gender equality make a fervent plea for gender equality in political representation, saying that time has come that women should get 50 percent of the seats in the state assemblies and Lok Sabha to empower them for a safer world as they represent half of India and vote more than men do in all elections in India.
Environmentalist and Padma Bhushan awardee Dr. Anil Joshi said the political parties have mainly used women as mobs but did not take adequate positive steps towards their respect. “If the power of the country and the world was in the hands of women, then today there would not have been a war like Ukraine and the environment would also be safer”, he added. 
Dr. Joshi was speaking as the Chief Guest at a seminar organized by Dehradun based SDC Foundation on the eve of Women's Day at Doon International School in Dehradun. The theme of the seminar was Uttarakhand : sustainable future and gender equality.
BJP's outgoing MLA Ritu Khanduri Bhushan, Congress state spokesperson Garima Dasauni, advocate Renu Singh of Women's Helpline Samadhan and Dr. Sona Kaushal Gupta of Pari Foundation were present as panelists in the seminar. SDC Foundation President Anoop Nautiyal conducted the seminar. The issue of gender equality has assumed great significance in the face of growing awareness of women over their rights and shallow promises made by the parties in elections in India.
Initiating the interactive dialog, Ritu Khanduri said that the talk of gender equality should start from home. After this, political will power is also necessary for gender equality. She expressed hope based on her ground experiences that women were becoming more empowered in the political domain compared to the past.
Garima Dasauni said that for gender equality, first of all it is necessary for women to be self-respecting and self-reliance is the next step. She expressed concern over the lack of health facilities for pregnant women in Uttarakhand. She further said that education, health and safety are other aspects which need special attention in case of women.
Renu Singh said on the basis of her experiences the biggest problem of women is that they do not have direct access to the judicial process. In such a situation, they do not get justice in time. She said that there is a system to provide 24-hour security to the victims of domestic violence, but this is not happening. Renu Singh stressed on improving the system of one stop centers. She said that even the maternal relatives do not give shelter to the woman if there is a rift with her husband or in-laws.
Sona Kaushal Gupta called upon the women to first take care of themselves first. Women first need to take care of their food and health, only then will they be able to take care of the whole family. They have to pay attention both at home and outside, so self-confidence is also very important. If this does not happen, then they will be under stress and will be a victim of depression.
All women panellists agreed that the representation of women in politics should increase. They said that when more women vote than men in Uttarakhand, then why shouldn't they get more representation. The panelists said that women do not want reservation and they have half the right, so women should get 50 percent of the seats from the state assemblies to the Lok Sabha.
