Tuesday, March 8 2005 16:28 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Observing that there was no development without empowering women, Congress president Sonia Gandhi today (March 8, 2005) hoped that a solution would be found on the issue of providing 33 per cent reservation for women in Lok Sabha and State Legislatures.

"Like panchayats, in Lok Sabha and State Legislatures also women should get 33 per cent reservation. Talks are going on with political parties and I am hopeful that some way will be found," she said at a function in New Delhi to honour women entrepreneurs on the occasion of International Women's Day.

Championing the cause of women, she suggested that pattas (land records) given to landless people should be in the name of women.

The UPA (United Progressive Alliance) Government was committed to empower women through various programmes including employment, education and health and for the first time special attention has been given and allocation has been increased in the Central budget, she said.

Describing female foeticide as a blot on the society, she said that there was a need to create awareness at the national level on the issue. The manual scavenging should also end as soon as possible.

Gandhi also honoured 25 women belonging to SC, OBCs and Minorities, living below poverty line, who became successful entrepreneurs.

Participating in the function, Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Meera Kumar said though women comprise half the population, equal opportunity for development, equality and social prestige for them still remains a distant dream.