By IANS
New Delhi : Men will soon observe International Men’s Day and would demand 33 percent reservation in the parliament, Minister of State for Women and Child Development Renuka Chowdhury said in a lighter vein during a function here to mark International Women’s Day Saturday.
“Very soon men will be celebrating International Men’s Day and will be seeking 33 percent reservation in the parliament,” Chowdhury said at a function organised by her ministry.
“It has been a precedent that whenever women were given an opportunity they reached the pinnacle. The number of women in village panchayats have exceeded the 33 percent reservation granted to them,” she said.
The motto of the three-day function was ‘Nutrition promotion for a stronger nation’ and a calendar to spread awareness about health care and nutrition was unveiled.
Speaking about the problem of malnourishment among women, Chowdhury said: “We are the victims of martyrdom. Culture is often used against us to sacrifice for our family.”
The minister hailed the Domestic Violence Act, 2005, brought into force by the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government.
“The bill has been brought so that women are treated with respect and not to break families,” Chowdhury added.
The minister also urged people to weed out the scourges of female foeticide, child marriage and dowry.