VOA标准英语2010年-Political Consensus Sought on Women's

Congress party President Sonia Gandhi is greeted by women party workers after the Women's Reservation Bill was passed in the upper house of parliament, at her residence in New Delhi, India, 10 Mar¹ 2010

Although the bill proposing to reserve one third of seats in parliament and state legislatures for women has been passed by the upper house of parliament, it faces staunch opposition² from some political quarters.

After protests by lawmakers forced parliament to adjourn³, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said his party will hold consultations⁴ with all political parties before it brings the Women's Reservation Bill to the lower house.

"We can consider, consult with various ideas being explored, possibilities could be explored, if it is possible to narrow down the divergences," said Mukherjee.

The offer was meant to calm two angry allies – the Samajwadi Party and the Rashtriya Janata Dal. These socialist⁵ parties have threatened to withdraw support to the Congress-led government, after the bill was pushed through the upper house, Tuesday, despite their objections.

But the bill must still be passed by the lower house and half of all state legislatures before it turns into law. That task may not be easy, given the staunch opposition of these parties and growing disquiet⁶ among other lawmakers.

The bill, which proposes to reserve one third of seats in parliament and state assemblies for women, is intended to speed up women's empowerment in a country where millions of women face discrimination.

But those opposing the bill, such as Mulayam Singh Yadav of the Samajwadi Party, told parliament that it will only benefit women from privileged classes. 

Yadav has demanded that, if the law is to be passed, it must include quotas⁷ for women from lower classes and Muslim women.

These groups constitute the core supporters of the parties which are opposing the bill.

The Women's Reservation Bill has met with strong political opposition since it was first proposed in 1996. But this time, it is being championed by Congress party head, Sonia Gandhi, who has expressed her personal commitment to ensuring that it becomes law.

However, political analysts⁸ say the government is likely to go slow in introducing it before the lower house of parliament, because it does not want to risk the wrath⁹ of its allies.

The 26 lawmakers from the two parties who oppose the bill are a small minority in 545-member lower house. But their support gives the Congress Party a comfortable majority in parliament.

The bill went through the Upper House because of support from the main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party and Communist parties. But even some BJP lawmakers are reported to be having second thoughts.

Analysts say most political parties are worried that their male-dominated parties would have to undergo a complete change if the bill turns into law.

A number of women have made a mark in Indian politics. But many of them belong to powerful political families and only a handful has entered politics on their own credentials¹⁰.
 

1 mar   

vt.破坏，毁坏，弄糟

参考例句：

• It was not the custom for elderly people to mar the picnics with their presence.大人们照例不参加这样的野餐以免扫兴。
• Such a marriage might mar your career.这样的婚姻说不定会毁了你的一生。

2 opposition   

n.反对，敌对

参考例句：

• The party leader is facing opposition in his own backyard.该党领袖在自己的党內遇到了反对。
• The police tried to break down the prisoner's opposition.警察设法制住了那个囚犯的反抗。

3 adjourn   

v.（使）休会，（使）休庭

参考例句：

• The motion to adjourn was carried.休会的提议通过了。
• I am afraid the court may not adjourn until three or even later.我担心法庭要到3点或更晚时才会休庭。

4 consultations   

n.磋商（会议）( consultation的名词复数 )；商讨会；协商会；查找

参考例句：

• Consultations can be arranged at other times by appointment. 磋商可以通过预约安排在其他时间。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• Consultations are under way. 正在进行磋商。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

5 socialist   

n.社会主义者；adj.社会主义的

参考例句：

• China is a socialist country,and a developing country as well.中国是一个社会主义国家，也是一个发展中国家。
• His father was an ardent socialist.他父亲是一个热情的社会主义者。

6 disquiet   

n.担心，焦虑

参考例句：

• The disquiet will boil over in the long run.这种不安情绪终有一天会爆发的。
• Her disquiet made us uneasy too.她的忧虑使我们也很不安。

7 quotas   

（正式限定的）定量( quota的名词复数 )； 定额； 指标； 摊派

参考例句：

• In fulfilling the production quotas, John made rings round all his fellow workers. 约翰完成生产定额大大超过他的同事们。
• Quotas of the means of production are allocated by the higher administrative bodies to the lower ones. 物资指标按隶属关系分配。

8 analysts   

分析家，化验员( analyst的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• City analysts forecast huge profits this year. 伦敦金融分析家预测今年的利润非常丰厚。
• I was impressed by the high calibre of the researchers and analysts. 研究人员和分析人员的高素质给我留下了深刻印象。

9 wrath   

n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒

参考例句：

• His silence marked his wrath. 他的沉默表明了他的愤怒。
• The wrath of the people is now aroused. 人们被激怒了。

10 credentials   

n.证明，资格，证明书，证件

参考例句：

• He has long credentials of diplomatic service.他的外交工作资历很深。
• Both candidates for the job have excellent credentials.此项工作的两个求职者都非常符合资格。