"The passage is a small, but historic step in the tumultuous journey of the Bill. Before the Bill becomes law, it has to be passed by Lok Sabha," said Jayalalithaa congratulating both the ruling and the opposition parties for voting in favour of the Bill.

The former Chief Minister further said Women''s Reservation Bill is a small but significant step in setting right the anomaly in society and ensuring gender parity, adding that the women forming almost half of the country''s population, had been subjected to discrimination in a male-dominated society.

Jayalalithaa said when the Bill becomes law; the country would then require competent women to take up important positions in Parliament and State Legislatures.

"AIADMK will take necessary steps towards grooming and developing women of substance for a positive political role in future," she said adding that a committee would be formed to work out the training modules for women in elocution, law, financial management and political science.

Jayalalithaa also recapitulated the various initiatives taken for women during her early years, which included the setting up of All-Women Police Stations. (ANI)

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