Participation of women in lawmaking must grow: Birla

New Delhi, Apr 10: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Friday said women participation in policymaking and lawmaking must grow.
Addressing valedictory session of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) India Region West Zone (Zone VII) conference, Birla emphasized the need to further enhance women’s participation in the legislative process. He noted that Indian women are excelling across diverse sectors—including business, education, and science—and their representation in policymaking and lawmaking should grow in proportion to their contributions. Referring to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, Birla observed that greater participation of women would bring greater sensitivity to governance, making policymaking more people-centric and better aligned with societal needs. He added that women are already playing leadership roles across sectors and are contributing a fresh and constructive perspective to governance and development.
Highlighting the role of emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence in strengthening public communication, Birla observed that these advancements are enabling greater citizen engagement in the democratic process. He underlined that increased public participation leads to more meaningful and effective policymaking. At the same time, he cautioned that technology should not be used in ways that waste the valuable time of young people, but rather serve as a tool to enhance their skills and capacities.
Referring to the discussions held during the Plenary Sessions, Shri Birla noted that the three states of CPA Zone VII—Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Goa—have placed strong emphasis on the development of coastal regions. He highlighted that these states have demonstrated successful models of converting challenges into opportunities. Initiatives such as Neer Kranti, along with efforts to promote employment and industrial growth while maintaining environmental balance, were cited as key examples. He further observed that Goa stands out as one of the world’s most attractive tourist destinations, supported by its strong tradition of hospitality, while Gujarat and Maharashtra are also making significant strides in the tourism sector.
Observing that young legislators engaged in detailed discussions during the Conference, Shri Birla said that, in addition to MLAs from the three states, Presiding Officers from Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Haryana also participated in the event. He informed that through extensive dialogue and interaction, an effort was made to outline a clear roadmap for the future. He added that by combining experience, youth, and innovation, the participants resolved to work collectively towards achieving the goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047.
Birla underlined that the historic and landmark First Conference of CPA Zone VII has proven to be highly significant in many respects. He noted that the Conference benefited greatly from extensive formal and informal discussions among legislators, as well as from the knowledge and rich parliamentary experience of the distinguished Governor of Goa, P. Ashok Gajapathi Raju, who delivered the Valedictory Address. Birla informed that a total of 31 legislators shared their views and experiences, offering valuable learning opportunities for all participants.
Birla further noted with pride that both formal and informal exchanges during the Conference facilitated the sharing of innovations and best practices. He observed a strong emphasis on promoting healthy competition in trade, tourism, and innovation, with participants also focusing on adopting a positive approach to transform challenges into opportunities. He concluded his address with the hope that the First Conference of CPA Zone VII will serve as a significant precedent for democratic institutions across the country, and that participants will return to their respective States with a renewed resolve to implement long-term action plans for regional development and the vision of a developed India.
Goa Legislative Assembly Speaker, Dr. Ganesh Gaonkar delivered the Welcome Address on the occasion.
Goa Legislative Assembly Deputy Speaker, Joshua D’Souza delivered the Vote of Thanks.