New Delhi, Delhi, India
In the ongoing national discourse surrounding women’s political representation, Sangita Reddy, Joint Managing Director of Apollo Hospitals, expressed strong support for the Women’s Reservation initiative, describing it as a transformative step toward inclusive and participatory governance.
Speaking in New Delhi, Reddy highlighted the progress made over the past decade under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, particularly in creating a robust framework for women’s empowerment. “The past decade has made substantial progress in creating an empowerment framework for women, including financial inclusion, access to clean energy, health protection, and livelihood support,” she said.
She emphasized that these initiatives have fundamentally shifted the role of women in society. “This progress has transitioned women from being welfare subjects to agents of development,” Reddy noted, underlining the shift from a support-based approach to one that actively involves women in driving economic and social growth.
According to her, the concept of “women-led development” has gained prominence, marking a significant evolution in policy thinking. Rather than viewing women merely as beneficiaries of government schemes, the focus is now on enabling them to take leadership roles in shaping the country’s future.
Reddy described the Women’s Reservation Bill as a historic milestone in this journey. “We are witnessing a historic moment as women move from access to authority,” she said, adding that increased representation in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies will have far-reaching benefits for governance.
She explained that greater participation of women in legislative bodies is likely to improve the quality of policymaking. Enhanced representation can strengthen accountability, improve policy targeting, and accelerate effective implementation, she said, pointing to global evidence that diverse leadership often leads to better outcomes.
The reservation policy, she added, would also help create long-term structural change. “The reservation for women in politics can establish enduring pipelines,” Reddy remarked, suggesting that it will encourage more women to enter public life and sustain their participation over time.
Linking the initiative to India’s broader developmental goals, she said that such measures are essential for achieving the vision of a developed nation. “It will further the national vision of a Viksit Bharat,” she stated, emphasizing that inclusive growth is key to long-term progress.
Reddy also extended her appreciation to all stakeholders involved in advancing the policy. “I congratulate all the contributors, especially the nation, which will benefit from this forward-thinking policy,” she added.
Her remarks reflect a growing consensus among industry leaders and policymakers that empowering women through political representation is not only a matter of equity but also a critical driver of sustainable national development.
