The project, which began in October, last year, aims at electing around 500 women from the 543 parliamentary constituencies across the country. As many as 12 focal points have been identified and each one has a particular region under it.

In every constituency, the NGOs working in the area have been engaged in getting the women to attend meetings at specific venues. During each meeting, over 1,000 women are briefed about the objective of the programme and one among them is elected to represent the constituency. Over 1,000 NGOs are part of the initiative that calls for intensive work at the grass-root level.

The ‘Parliament’ sessions would be held each year with the first scheduled to be held in New Delhi after the Lok Sabha elections.

While elections of women candidates have been completed in states like Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, the process would soon see its completion in the region.

Dr Pam Raput, the convener of the programme and in-charge of the focal point in the region says, “The representation of women in the Parliament is 18.4 per cent as compared to 10.9 per cent in 1975. This shows that the increase has not been substantial. In fact, we are among the lowest ranked countries when it comes to the involvement of women in the decision making process.”

She adds, “Women have their own perspective on various critical issues that affect the nation. Our aim is to provide an alternate space for an alternate vision.”

The women are being trained in parliamentary procedures. The ‘Parliament’ would also have a Prime Minister and her cabinet, opposition and a speaker. Training of trainers (TOT) sessions have been held for around 30 volunteers who would further impart training in various constituencies.

A body is also being created and the women who attend meetings are asked to give a token sum of Re 1, which would collectively be utilised in the working of ‘Parliament’.