NEW DELHI, Sept. 25 -- It is certainly a moment to celebrate as it took nearly three decades to materialise. Yes, this is about the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam (Women's Reservation Bill) - a Bill that provides for one-third reservation to women in the Lok Sabha and state legislatures. The Bill has finally been passed in both Houses of Parliament. Incidentally, it was passed in the Lok Sabha on the first day of the special session called by the government in the new Parliament Building. Many have termed this Bill to be a game changer and a new beginning for women's rights.

However, is it really a new beginning? India has often been criticised for lack of women's participation in the legislature. True, till now we have only 15 percent wo...