Former Chief Justice of India M N Venkatachaliah today called for 33 per cent reservation for women in apex law-making bodies as a remedy for a host of problems faced by women in the country.

Inaugurating the third All India Conference of Women, organised by All India Mahila Samskritik Sanghatan (AIMSS) here, he said the whole constitutional culture of the country had collapsed.

"Thirty three per cent of reservation of women in apex law-making bodies is a remedy to many problems faced by them in today's society. It will bring about a positive chain reaction in the present situation," Venkatachaliah, also a former Chairman of National Human Rights' Commission, said.

About 50 per cent of human resource was becoming disused when women were cornered and confined to homes, he said.

Hailing the "heart-warming" response showcased by youth on the streets against the Delhi gang rape, he said their protest gives fresh hope for women.

He also criticised the way the government handled the protest, using water cannons in the chilling winter.

"Women are supposedly not equal to men in terms of physical strength but they are much stronger in the case of mental strength. No civilisation can look back with satisfaction as the way they treated their women," he said.

He also suggested setting up of boards in public places like railway stations and bus stands, saying "We Respect Women".

Former Justice of Mumbai High Court Justice Suresh Hospet said growing male chauvinism syndrome was one of the root causes of problems faced by women and changing the attitude of society was a solution for this.

AIMSS national president Chaya Mukherjee, former Vice Chancellor of Kerala University N A Kareem and a large number of women leaders from various states participated in the event.