Indian lawmakers passed landmark legislation on Thursday that would reserve one-third of all seats for women in the lower house of Parliament and in state legislatures, a move aimed at improving gender parity among lawmakers. The legislation was passed by the upper and lower houses of the Parliament after two days of deliberation and lengthy speeches. Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the law’s passing as “a golden moment of India’s parliamentary journey” that is aimed at enabling “greater participation of women in our political process.” The new rule would not apply to the upper house of Parliament, however; those members are chosen by members of the state legislatures. About half of India’s 950 million registered voters are women, but they make up only about 15 percent of lawmakers in Parliament and just 10 percent of lawmakers in the state legislatures.