Opinion: India needs more women to contest elections

It was a cold day yesterday, December 13th when a large group of people got together in Connaught place. They represented organisations, such as the Centre for Social Research, Joint women’s programme, Justice Seekers, Women Power Connect, CARE, YWCA of Delhi, YWCA India, NFIW, Muslim Women’s Association, Sahaj Sambhav, SERWA, Delhi State Council of women, Delhi government and others.

The purpose of their rally was to make a strong request to the government to introduce the women’s representation bill in the upcoming parliamentary session in December.

This bill guarantees that at least 1/3 of all the legislators in the parliament will be women. At least 1/3 of election tickets will be given to women so that they can contest the elections and have a chance to win a seat. Women have always been underrepresented in the Indian parliament (never more than 12 per cent), and this bill aims to set that right. The bill has already been passed in the Rajya Sabha and requires a simple majority in the Lok Sabha to become law.

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Women reservation bill seeks to reserve one-third of all seats for women in the Lok Sabha and the state legislative assemblies. (Others)

The central government had promised citizens equal representation for women in its election manifesto. The government currently enjoys an absolute majority in the legislature. Activists are, therefore, baffled and dismayed that the government in spite of its rhetoric (of being sensitive to women’s issues) has not seen fit to table and pass the bill. There seem to be no obvious impediments to its passage as the opposition supports the bill too. Women activists strongly believe the time is ripe for the government to take this progressive step.

Yesterday, during the rally, various activists, citizens and elected leaders voiced their arguments and concerns. Dr Ranjana Kumari, the iconic director of Centre for Social Research, reiterated her frustration at the government dragging its heels over this critical issue despite enjoying power for over 3 years. She felt it was one of the ways for them to regain the trust of the public who felt let down.

Ms Alka Lamba of Delhi government made a passionate speech, reminding all that women were not wallflowers to be stepped upon. They could, in fact, assume the role of warrior queen Rain Laxmibai or Goddess Kali when necessary, for a worthy cause.

Senior activists of the Joint women's programme, Padmini Kumar and Husna Subhani stated that it was a now or never situation for the re-tabling of the bill as the current government enjoyed an absolute majority, and there would be no difficulty in the passage of the bill in the Lok Sabha. Mrs. Anshu Sahi, an ex-principal army public school, talked about her desire to see a level playing field for girls and boys.

Other activists sang, chanted slogans, expressed demands and answered questions posed by the media persons gathered there. The media wanted to ascertain why the bill was not being passed by the government despite gender experts advocating the importance of its passage for the overall development of the country. The activists felt this was due to a mixture of a prevalent patriarchal mindset and a reluctance of those in power to relinquish any part of it.

Women activists organised a rally in support of women’s representation bill. (Others)

The committed activists and citizens defied the orders of the local policemen who tried to prevent them from marching and did execute a peaceful walk around Connaught Place, raising awareness about the bill. It was very fitting that the entire rally took place around the base of the Indian flag- since this bill relies on constitutional guarantees for the upliftment of women.

The rally was a wonderful reminder of the perseverance of the women's movement. For 21 long years, the women activists have not given up their tireless struggle to see that justice prevails and that women who make up 50 per cent of the population get their fair share of representation in governance at the highest levels. Having more female legislators in parliament will drive the country's development at a faster pace as a new talent pool will be available.

Simultaneously, more women will be empowered in significant ways. Several women's issues will be brought up and addressed more thoughtfully and comprehensively. Seeing more women in leadership roles will inculcate more respect for this sex in the general population and help reverse the patriarchal mindset.

The rally was also a reminder of the gumption of women activists and their fierce sense of social responsibility. Our school education helps us to think more logically and communicate our thoughts clearly. The fact that so many more of us women are educated is due to the fact that a committed set of activists of the past generations defied the social order that curtailed and restricted a woman’s education beyond the 5th standard. Similarly we need to battle hard to leave an equally rich legacy for the generation after us.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL).