Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla inaugurated a two-day All-India Capacity Building Workshop on "Gender-Responsive Governance" organized by the National Commission for Women (NCW) in Faridabad on September 7, 2026. The event was attended by approximately 200 women legislators from 20 States and 2 Union Territories, along with NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar and Haryana Minister Rajesh Nagar.
Birla emphasized the historic significance of the 33% reservation for women in Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies, characterizing it as essential for enhancing women's political representation. He observed that women's presence across public services and professions is growing significantly, predicting that women would soon account for over 50% of public services and that a new generation of women leaders would emerge across political, administrative, and social spheres.
The Speaker called for a strategic shift from merely providing support and opportunities to women toward enabling them to actively shape policies, programs, and laws. He stressed that women should participate directly in determining the legislation needed to address their concerns and aspirations, noting that women legislators through various governance bodies can play a decisive role in bringing women's issues to appropriate forums and ensuring laws respond to ground realities.
Birla underlined that India cannot progress toward becoming a developed nation without economic and social empowerment of women, who constitute nearly half the population. He emphasized that every woman should have opportunities for employment, economic independence, and social empowerment, particularly those facing deprivation. He urged women legislators to develop effective policies, schemes, and legislative measures to strengthen women economically and socially, while also advocating for sharing successful initiatives across legislatures to replicate best practices nationwide.
The workshop serves as a platform for women legislators to exchange experiences, ideas, and perspectives to strengthen their leadership capabilities. Birla highlighted that women have been at the forefront of India's transformation from the freedom movement to nation-building and strengthening democratic institutions, noting that sensitivity is a core strength of women's leadership that fosters deeper understanding of people's concerns and more effective solutions.