Asakho Chachei
Research Officer, Parliament of India Lok Sabha Secretariat
Democracy is an incubator for gender equality as it provides a space for discussion on laws and human rights and as well for the articulation of opinions. It is evident from the Parliaments across the world that, the more the representation of women in the political processes and the more their participation, the better are the chances of political, social and economic empowerment and emancipation of women. Though women consist of about 50 per cent of the world's population, they are underrepresented as political leaders and elected officials. Today the percentage of women as voters and legislators has increased, but their political participation is not equal to men and women are unable to get an equal share in decision making. The presence of women is low compared to men in any political system, be it in the developed countries or in the developing countries. Democracy cannot truly deliver for all of its citizens if half of the population remains underrepresented in the political arena. Besides, the continued prevalence of violence against women is a reminder to the policy-makers to frame and innovate policies to mitigate it. Needless to say that violence against women can be successfully backed by addressing the issue of discrimination, promoting women’s equality and empowerment, and ensuring that women’s human rights are fulfilled.
The Constitution of India enshrines gender equality in its Preamble, Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles of State Policy, Fundamental Duties etc,.
Besides, the State has been taking measures with regard to positive discrimination relating to women and children in the country.In pursuance of the goal to enable larger women’s participation in political processes, one of the significant developments in this regard is reserving one third of seats in local government for women as per 73rd and 74th Constitution Amendment in 1993. Presently, 14 States of our country have passed legislation reserving at least 50 percent seats for women in the local bodies.In India as a whole, there are 2.51 lakh Panchayats which include 2.39 village councils. Over 77,210 of them now have women as Sarpanchs. At the intermediate level, there are 6405 Blocks or Panchayat Samitis. More than 1,970 of them have women Sabhapatis or heads. With regard to the 589 District or Zilla Panchayats (district councils) 200 have women Presidents. Thus, in the country as a whole, above one million women now occupy positions as members or heads in rural and urban local government bodies.
When there are more than one million women occupying different positions,thanks to women’s reservation policy in other parts of the country, can we afford to let our women miss the opportunity, especially when the government is doing so much for women emancipation and empowerment through different policies and measures?The experience gained at being involved with the Panchayati Raj Institutions has transformed many a woman. Women have gained a sense of empowerment by having their say over the use of resources and manpower, they have become articulate and conscious of their power and with improved literacy level, they have been able to tackle the political and bureaucratic system successfully. They have reported regular attendance at Panchayat meetings and have used their elected authority to address critical issues such as education, drinking water facilities, family planning facilities, hygiene and health, quality of healthcare and village development.
Sadly, there is no dearth of voices against women reservation policy in our society after the Government of Nagaland passed the 33% reservation for women in the local government. Many will say that we do not practice discrimination or social evils towards women like other parts of the country and that woman are treated equally or have been given all opportunities like men. This notion is not completely true. We need to understand the fundamental difference between men and women. Men and women experience differently in everyday's life since time immemorial. There has been no equal footing being given from the beginning.If we justify the underlying reasons behind the reservation policy given to ST/SCs & OBCs in matter of job or employment, then 33% reservation for women in local bodies is equally justified. We were a marginalized society and we did not have equal footing with other mainstream people at the beginning. For people from the General category, their great-great grandparents were literate since the last century if not earlier, whereas, the first Naga to graduate was Shri A. Kevichusa (former MP)in 1924, which goes on to show how late we got the opportunity to start formal education. Likewise, women were given rights and other opportunities late. Historically women had to wage long battles to get the right to vote. Australia was the first country to grant voting rights to women in 1902 and India in 1950.
Instead of coming forward and supporting the women reservation bill which in all sense is justified, we are busy questioning its logic, mockingour women’s capability, intimidating them in advance by making snide remarks and questioning the morality of a woman etc. Despite the trappings of modern living and boasting an evolved and liberated mentality, we have not evolved as a person and as a society for higher ideals and to accept or introduce change as far as accepting reservation for women is concerned. It has much to do with our mindset that remains shackledto our patriarchal society. The gender role ideology is used as an ideological tool by patriarchy to place women within the private arena of home as mothers and wives and men in the public sphere.
India in recent times has been one of the faster growing economies of the world. The high level of growth can however be sustained only when all sections of society, especially women become equal partners in the development process. The government therefore, has been making every effort to achieve inclusive growth with special focus on women in consonance with the National Policy for Empowerment of Women. The Policy focuses on enabling a number of women-centric Legislations for effective use of various Government Schemes for the betterment of women. Besides the Legislative intervention, what we need equally is to recognize the contributions of women within our minds. I believe that we can start from the family where a woman makes invaluable contributions but which is always unpaid. All family members including husband, father, mother, brothers and sisters must bear in mind the economic and financial dimension underlying the household job of a woman. Side by side, women need also have a say and share in the decision-making too. Beginning with the family, we can create the necessary mindset towards women’s empowerment in the larger society.
