CHENNAI: The issue of 33 per cent reservations for women in Lok Sabha has being doing the rounds for a long time. Determined women have been bringing it up in Parliament for years without success. We have Pratibha Patil as our President and UPA chairperson is Sonia Gandhi, both strong women holding important posts.

Yet the quota eludes women. Events and seminars have been held to discuss it in different parts of the country at different times, with mixed results. However in Chennai, Rajya Sabha MP Kanimozhi's maiden two-day State-level conference of Dravidic Moneta Kashia seemed promising. Kanimozhi is the daughter of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi.

The conference which began with colorful procession with thousands of women marching from Silver Beach to the venue, concluded on June 22 with one more attempt to revive the 33 percent quota for women in the State Assembly and in Lok Sabha. Not only was the meeting seeking the passing of the resolution for 33 percent reservation for women but went one step further asking for 30 percent jobs in the Central government.

What was different about this conference was that it held real hope for women. It took up issues that were serious, women-oriented and would make a difference in the lives of women who need it the most.

Apart from the women's quota issue, the subjects discussed were building of hostels for working women; amendment of Hindu Marriage Act of 1955 to help women rights, to introduce education on women rights at higher secondary level which makes them aware about their rights, equality of wages; films and television should be pulled up for showing women in poor light; introducing schemes to help child delivery and new jobs to help women become financially independently.

The conference concluded on a positive note, promising a change that is vital for any healthy society. Somehow this time it seemed attainable. That itself is a giant step in the right direction. Sonia Gandhi, Renuka Choudhary and Najma Heptulla, among others have all supported the women's reservation bill. When we hear the collective voices of women from remote corners, then perhaps its impact will be much more.

Their presence in Parliament will help women who do not have access to justice, jobs or basic amenities. Their conflicts with basic domestic issues will be better understood. With elections round the corner and the atmosphere just right for implementing the women's reservation bill, such attempts by women who mean business will surely accelerate the process.