Participation of Women in Political life is integral to the advancement of women - Essay, UPSC MAIN | Course for UPPSC Preparation - UPPSC (UP) PDF Download

Participation of Women in Political life is integral to the advancement of women

structure

(1) Opening    —    No true democracy without the equal participation of women.

(2) Body    —    Historical perspective of the political participation of women.

    —    Constitutional provisions

    —    Representations in the Lok Sabha and Local bodies.

    —    Conservativeness of the political parties.

    —    Social development in a gender sensitive way (Amartya Sen)

    —    Discrimination against women by the political parties.

    —    National policy for the empowerment of women.

(3) Closing    —    Development of the country is not possible without the empowerment of women

There can be no true democracy, no true people’s participation in governance and development without equal participation of women and men in all spheres of life and at different levels of decision-making. The goals of development cannot be attained without women’s full and active participation not only in development process but also in the shaping of its goals. Women’s political participation is changing the world in which we live by bringing new priorities and perspectives to the political process. It is in this context that the concept of political empowerment of women assumes great significance. Empowerment is envisaged as an aid to help women achieve equality with men or, at least reduce the gender gap considerably. Empowerment would enable women to perform certain social roles which they cannot perform without it. Gender equality—political and social is enshrined in the Fundamental Rights of the Constitution, together with equality of opportunity to employment and appointment to office. Political equality includes not only the equal right to franchise but also the more important right to gain access to the formal institutionalised centres of power.

The period of colonial rule and the freedom struggle marked the beginning of a political awakening among women. However improvement of women’s status has been an integral part of the process of national regeneration that began as early in the 19th century with Raja Rammohan Roy. The Indian National Congress accepted the principle of equal political rights for women as early as in 1918. Historically speaking, Indian women actively participated, shoulder to shoulder, alongwith the men, in the struggle for independence, especially so, after the struggle for freedom was intensified in the later phase of independence struggle. Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the nation, was instrumental in bringing hundred of thousand of women out of their homes to fight in the freedom struggle. He asserted that amelioration in the condition of women was a necessary precondition to the regeneration of Indian society. So he mobilized women into the national movement, apart from working for their emancipation. We have a plethora of examples, documented in the history of freedom movement, of great women, who sacrificed their lives for the cause of national liberation. Annie Besant, Sarojini Naidu, Bhikaji Rustom Cama, Santi Das, Bina Das, Kalpana Dutt, Kamaladevi Chattopadhyaya. Aruna Asaf Ali, Sucheta Kripalani is just to name a few. On the eve of independence, the Indian women’s fight alongside with men was given recognition, when various women’s organisation scattered throughout India were asked to participate in the framing of the Constitution. Fourteen members were included as members of the Constituent Assembly. Independence brought with it the opportunity for equality in the social and political spheres, through the instrumentality of the constitution. The early years of independence were years of promise they seemed to herald a comprehensive social and economic revolution in the wake of political emancipation. Nevertheless, women remained under represented in the decision-making bodies, after independence, despite the fact that they were in the forefront of national movement as well as various social reform movements. Their presence in representative institution was never commensurate with their strength in national life. In the 50th year of Indian Republic, as India enters the new millennium, this lopsided and imbalanced state needs to be reversed and the women in India must attain their rightful place.

The Constitution of India made a deliberate radical departure from the inherited social system by granting to women, equal, social and 

political status. Constitutional equal status means that every adult female, whatever her social position, or accomplishments, had now the opportunity to function as a citizen and individual partner in the task of nation-building. With the grant of Constitutional gender equality came legal support through a series of legislation. While dealing with gender issues, it is important to mention that the Constitution of India has guaranteed equality before law and equal protection of law (Article 14) and prohibits discrimination on the ground of sex and it has empowered the state to make special provisions for women and children (Article 15). It has made provisions to prohibit traffic in human beings and to provide for just and humane conditions of work along with maternity relief (Article 23 and Article 42). It is a Constitutional duty of every citizen to renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of women (Article 51A).

The 73rd Amendment to the Constitution passed by the Parliament and adopted by the states in 1994 provides for 1/3rd reservation of seats for women at the local government level. This has been hailed as a watershed achievement in the empowerment of women, and around one-million women have come in so far as decision-makers at the Panchayat level. Although structural changes are taking place, there is very little functional variation. Throughout, women’s issues were dealt on a welfare developmental plane. It was only in 1980 that women were recognised as a separate target group and the government directed its efforts towards mainstreaming of women into the national developmental process.

Political status of women, implies a degree of equality and freedom, enjoyed by women in the shaping and sharing of power and to the value given by the society to the role of women. The equality is inseparable from active political participation. Participation of women in political life is integral to the advancement of women. Their political participation means not only using the right to vote, but also power sharing, co-decision-making and co-policy-making at all levels of government and within party structures.

From a minimum of 37.1 per cent in 1952, women voter turn out in the Lok Sabha elections reached an all time high of 68.17 percent in 1984 (in 2014 it was 66 per cen). However,From a minimum of 37.1 per cent in 1952, women voter turn out in the Lok Sabha elections reached an all time high of 68.17 percent in 1984. However, within Parliament, gander visibility has been blurred. The percentage of women parliamentarians, has at no time exceeded 10 in the Lok Sabha. Though under the Constitution and under the law, women have equal political rights as men, enabling them to take part effectively in the administration of the country, why is it that even today, there is no adequate representation of women in the administration of the country, why is it that even today, there is no adequate representation of women in the political field? Are women really  apolitical? What accounts for this lack of visible political presence? Very few women dare to venture in this field, except those who come from political families and have necessary political exposure. The lists of candidates over the years show that most of them belong to influential or political families. Such candidates are generally shy of taking a stand that are likely to embarrass their party, jeopardize their own interest or that of their male patrons. The 33 per cent reservation for women at all tiers of Panchayat has made a significant beginning, however, experiences of women, elected as members have been both positive, and also disheartening. The fact that about one million women came into the public arena for the first time is expected to create a ripple in a tradition bound Indian society, but then the quality of participation in the Panchayat bodies may not be that effective in the beginning. Most elected women had no idea, what being an elected member meant, and just did what the men (as brothers, fathers, father-in law and husbands) told them to do. The main argument is that the elected women themselves are not yet seeing themselves as empowered and therefore, lack the required confidence in asserting themselves. Some do not assert themselves, because, they do not know, what their rights as village administrators are — the issue being one of awareness. The other point is that community does not perceive the women as capable or worthy of leadership. For a change in a mental attitude of women, there needs to be a drastic change in social attitudes on the whole. The parliamentary bill for 33 per cent reservation of seats for women in the Lok Sabha and Assemblies, has also been pending as the 81st Amendment, but has get shelved repeatedly in spite of political promises made to the electorate. The provision for providing reservation is to be seen as a unifying instrument, which would enable the women to join the mainstream and usher in an egalitarian society. It has always been the contention that equality in all spheres is inseparable from active political participation and is integral to the progress of women without active and continuous participation of women at all levels of Government, including local party structures, equally in true sense will continue to remain deceptive.

Various political parties in the country, which are considered the main vehicle to increase women’s mobilisation and are important tools of political empowerment, reflects the established values of a male dominated society. The low gender visibility in the decision-making institutions are because the political parties themselves are conservative. The parties may champion the cause of women in their manifestos, but during election time give tickets to men. All political parties do have a women’s wing, but access to the inner ring to the party, which is the core of the power STRUCTURE of the party, is generally denied to women. Moreover lumpini-sation and muscle power keep women away. One of the main reason, impending the March of our Indian women to progress and equality is the essential STRUCTURE itself unless the archaic patriarchal attitude towards women is altered, no positive changes can happen in the affairs of the nation. Women’s marginal political presence is attributed to their apathy and unwillingness, the influence of patriarchal culture, the negative female response to the increasing criminalization of politics or the general stigma associated with political women’. The presence of a few elite women in the political arena is not going to make any big difference in the structural set-up. Political empowerment of women, cannot be viewed in isolation. Structural changes in the formal power institution, economic independence, increasing awareness through education and gender equality in the social and cultural construct are important pre-requisites of political empowerment of women. Noted economist Amartya Sen also opines that India’s population problem has only one remedy: social development in a gender-sensitive way, what is required to check the growth in fertility rate is education, social awareness and emancipation of women. The women’s equal status in every sphere is inextricably linked to country’s progress and development. The Gender-related Development Index (GDI) and Gender-Empowerment Measure (GEM) introduced in Human Development Report, 1995, provides several conclusions, the most common thing be within Parliament, geander visibility has been blurred. The percentage of women parliamentarians, has at no time exceeded 10 in the Lok Sabha. Though under the Constitution and under the law, women have equal political rights as men, enabling them to take part effectively in the administration of the country, why is it that even today, there is no adequate representation of women in the administration of the country, why is it that even today, there is no adequate representation of women in the political field? Are women really  apolitical? What accounts for this lack of visible political presence? Very few women dare to venture in this field, except those who come from political families and have necessary political exposure. The lists of candidates over the years show that most of them belong to influential or political families. Such candidates are generally shy of taking a stand that are likely to embarrass their party, jeopardize their own interest or that of their male patrons. The 33 per cent reservation for women at all tiers of Panchayat has made a significant beginning, however, experiences of women, elected as members have been both positive, and also disheartening. The fact that about one million women came into the public arena for the first time is expected to create a ripple in a tradition bound Indian society, but then the quality of participation in the Panchayat bodies may not be that effective in the beginning. Most elected women had no idea, what being an elected member meant, and just did what the men (as brothers, fathers, father-in law and husbands) told them to do. The main argument is that the elected women themselves are not yet 

seeing themselves as empowered and therefore, lack the required confidence in asserting themselves. Some do not assert themselves, because, they do not know, what their rights as village administrators are — the issue being one of awareness. The other point is that community does not perceive the women as capable or worthy of leadership. For a change in a mental attitude of women, there needs to be a drastic change in social attitudes on the whole. The parliamentary bill for 33 per cent reservation of seats for women in the Lok Sabha and Assemblies, has also been pending as the 81st Amendment, but has get shelved repeatedly in spite of political promises made to the electorate. The provision for providing reservation is to be seen as a unifying instrument, which would enable the women to join the mainstream and usher in an egalitarian society. It has always been the contention that equality in all spheres is inseparable from active political participation and is integral to the progress of women without active and continuous participation of women at all levels of Government, including local party structures, equally in true sense will continue to remain deceptive.

Various political parties in the country, which are considered the main vehicle to increase women’s mobilisation and are important tools of political empowerment, reflects the established values of a male dominated society. The low gender visibility in the decision-making institutions are because the political parties themselves are conservative. The parties may champion the cause of women in their manifestos, but during election time give tickets to men. All political parties do have a women’s wing, but access to the inner ring to the party, which is the core of the power structure of the party, is generally denied to women. Moreover lumpini-sation and muscle power keep women away. One of the main reason, impending the March of our Indian women to progress and equality is the essential structure itself unless the archaic patriarchal attitude towards women is altered, no positive changes can happen in the affairs of the nation. Women’s marginal political presence is attributed to their apathy and unwillingness, the influence of patriarchal culture, the negative female response to the increasing criminalization of politics or the general stigma associated with political women’. The presence of a few elite women in the political arena is not going to make any big difference in the structural set-up. Political empowerment of women, cannot be viewed in isolation. Structural changes in the formal power institution, economic independence, increasing awareness through education and gender equality in the social and cultural construct are important pre-requisites of political empowerment of women. Noted economist Amartya Sen also opines that India’s population problem has only one remedy: social development in a gender-sensitive way, what is required to check the growth in fertility rate is education, social awareness and emancipation of women. The women’s equal status in every sphere is inextricably linked to country’s progress and development. The Gender-related Development Index (GDI) and Gender-Empowerment Measure (GEM) introduced in Human Development Report, 1995, provides several conclusions, the most common thing being, that women generally suffer on two counts first, because the society as a whole is impoverished, and second, because they are women. The strategy, then would be, obviously, to empower women in the decision-making, as a part-to be integrated into the development of the society as a whole. The Gender Empowerment Measure (GEM), concentrates on participation, measuring gender inequality in key areas of economic and political participation and decision-making. Women’s participation in politics responsibilities, should be encouraged by governments, political parties and other organizations. We should exert pressure on political parties to open up opportunities to women as candidates for elections and political executives.

Political parties, need to express clearly their commitment to end discrimination against women and to ensure women’s development as integral components of their policies of national development and as their party ideology. As a supplementary measure, political parties need to encourage women to the decision-making levels, if necessary, by providing for “quota”. It has been observed in those countries where gender issues have strongly been reflected in their political platform, that they have used “quota” or other affirmative measures to strengthen and consolidate women’s presence at the various organizational and decision-making levels. Women parliamentarians should be aware of their rights to strengthen and train themselves in parliamentary procedures and in the art of influencing parliamentary decisions in a similar manner, the reservation of seats for women in formal political institutions would break age-old constraints and they would be able to participate in decision-making process in a more meaningful way. Lack of education and training, and absence of awareness intensify deprivations. In such a situation the main objective of women’s education should be on to mainstream gender issues and strengthening the capability of women, to make them aware of their rights, so that they are able to face the challenges of modern day.

As a follow up to this commitment, a National Policy for the empowerment of women has been drafted. The proposed National Policy will continuously guide and inform action and policy in every sector, by incorporating a gender perspective into all plans, policies, programmes, budgetary allocations, appraisals, monitoring and evalutory exercises.

We as a nation are committed to the empowerment of women. However, the journey towards progress is long and arduous. In a world of challenge and competition, we have to constantly attune ourselves to the changing needs.

The development of the country is not possible if women, as half of human resources, reserved labour force and as citizens, stay away from national development process. Women’s process of development is of crucial importance from the consideration of both equity and development.