Congress president Sonia Gandhi [Images] on Tuesday hoped the issue of providing 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state legislatures would be resolved soon.

Sonia was addressing a function to honour women entrepreneurs on the occasion of International Women's Day.

"Like panchayats, even in the Lok Sabha and state legislatures women should get 33 per cent reservation. Talks are on with political parties," she said.

Sonia said the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government is committed to empower women through employment, education and health. This is the first time special attention has been given to women in the Union budget, she added.

Gandhi honoured 25 women belonging to scheduled castes, other backward castes and minorities, who have become successful entrepreneurs.

Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Meira Kumar pointed out that though women comprise half of India's population, equal opportunity for development and social prestige for them still remains a distant dream.

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