More women MLAs needed: Sowmya Reddy

Hameed Ashraf | NT

Jayanagar MLA Sowmya Reddy said that as a politician she has observed that women are given importance only during celebrating Women’s Day. “If a society celebrates Women’s Day, it should even fight for their rights. Every day should be a Women’s Day in that aspect,” she said.

Sowmya Reddy explained how Karnataka deserves more women MLAs and politicians in the constituencies irrespective of the parties. “Currently there are just 11 women MLAs which is a very small number,” she said.

“Achieving gender equality and empowering women and girls is the unfinished business of our time, and the greatest human rights challenge in our world,” she added.

Each year, there’s a different theme and this year, it’s #BreaktheBias. Bias, whether unconscious or deliberate, can make it difficult for women to progress in their careers or even their rights, she said.

She has also recalled how security people inside Suvarna Soudha failed to recognize her as a MLA. “I have produced the MLA pass, but the police asked me where the MLA is,” she said with a smile.