President of All India Women's Democratic Association (AIDWA) Subhashini Ali talks about the Women's Reservation Bill in an exclusive interview with Newsclick.

Women's Reservation Bill has been passed in Rajya Sabha with only one legislator opposing it, while the rest present in the House voting for. This is, by all means, a historic first step in the realisation of a 33% representation for women in India's legislatures. Newsclick examines the politics, the debate and the supporters/ detractors' arguments.

The passage of the constitution amendment bill to introduce 33% reservation for women in parliament and state assemblies in the Rajya Sabha is a progressive and substantive step towards the political empowerment of women in India. The fact that it has taken nearly a decade and a half for this legislation, since its introduction, to be passed in the upper house of parliament stands testimony to the stubborn opposition against it from various quarters. There is no point singling out the “Yadav troika” or the “social justice lobby” for opposing this legislation.