Women's political rights in India under pressure
About the authors
Mrs. Salinder Kaur
Punjabi University
2003-2005 · M.Phil. Political science
Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar
2001-2003 · Political science
Peter Hjorth, former Parliamentary candidate and
founder of The Democratic Party anno 2019
(www.detdemokratiskeparti.dk)
By Salinder Kaur
Women's political rights in India - in context of the Panchayati Raj Institutions.
India is a federal country where the political powers are decentralized at National level and State level. Around 70% of the population lives in villages, so it is very important that people of rural India have their own local government, so that they can take their own political decisions and they should not be dependent on other authorities.
Mahatma Gandhi advocated Panchayati Raj System (local self-government) as the foundation of Indian political system, as a decentralized form of government in which each village would be responsible for its own affairs.
So after the independence some states started to work on it, but there were no regular elections and chairpersons and other members have been elected on economic and social norms, which was not the mission of Panchayati Raj. So many committees were formed to give their recommendations in 1957, -60, -66, -78, -85, -86, -89 and 2013.
Finally in 1992 the Indian Constitution got amended for the 73rd and 74th time to ensure the participation of people of rural India in governance of the country. It is actually a landmark in Indian political history, because it is very challenging to adopt such kind of system in developing country like India with vast cultural and social diversity where size, population and social backwardness are the major concerns.
Mahatma Gandhi advocated Panchayati Raj System (local self-government) as the foundation of Indian political system, as a decentralized form of government in which each village would be responsible for its own affairs.
So after the independence some states started to work on it, but there were no regular elections and chairpersons and other members have been elected on economic and social norms, which was not the mission of Panchayati Raj. So many committees were formed to give their recommendations in 1957, -60, -66, -78, -85, -86, -89 and 2013.
Finally in 1992 the Indian Constitution got amended for the 73rd and 74th time to ensure the participation of people of rural India in governance of the country. It is actually a landmark in Indian political history, because it is very challenging to adopt such kind of system in developing country like India with vast cultural and social diversity where size, population and social backwardness are the major concerns.
Women constitute half part of society, but due to many societal rules and regulations they never are a part of decision making process.
The special feature of this amendment was to assure the participation of women in local self-government. Women have directly got part in decision making at local government. 73rd and 74th amendment in the Indian constitution have given women a direct role in decision making at rural and urban level. This is something very unique, not only in India, but comparing to any other country where women got assurance that women will really be in the position of political authority and be a ruler.
Provision have been made that minimum 33% of total seats would be reserved for women. So is the minimum number of seats. It is totally allowed to have 50% women in Panchayati Raj. Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, West Bengal and Uttarakhand are the states which has made 50% seats reservation for women in local self government.
Yes, it looks so good that women got reservation in local self government, that means only women can contest elections and be a chairperson or members of local self government (Panchayat). Women are contesting elections and taking the chairs of Sarpanch and Panchs. In Himachal Pradesh and Kerala women are actually working and deciding things.
There are officially 33% to 59% women representatives in local bodies in 2017 depending on local government location. But it shows only in numbers, because the reality is a bit different. Even though India has managed to legislate minimum female representation, it is only the first step in a long way ahead for women to be on par with men as decision makers. Representation alone is inadequate and until it is manifested as participation, it remains limited in its capacity to empower women in the public sphere.
I have been working with rural development from 2008 to 2011, and I have been providing training and supervising training programmes for capacity building of PRIs, where I have noticed that most of the women were not attending the training programmes and if they were coming, they do not have any knowledge about there rights and duties, because they are not actually working. Male family members were working so male family member (husband/ son/ father in law/brother in law), is communicating with all the authorities and women also does not share their phone number with the Panchayat secretary, junior engineer or Block Panchayat and development officer or other authorities who have worked closely with Panchayat. They do not have any knowledge about development schemes relating to the villages.
Provision have been made that minimum 33% of total seats would be reserved for women. So is the minimum number of seats. It is totally allowed to have 50% women in Panchayati Raj. Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, West Bengal and Uttarakhand are the states which has made 50% seats reservation for women in local self government.
Yes, it looks so good that women got reservation in local self government, that means only women can contest elections and be a chairperson or members of local self government (Panchayat). Women are contesting elections and taking the chairs of Sarpanch and Panchs. In Himachal Pradesh and Kerala women are actually working and deciding things.
There are officially 33% to 59% women representatives in local bodies in 2017 depending on local government location. But it shows only in numbers, because the reality is a bit different. Even though India has managed to legislate minimum female representation, it is only the first step in a long way ahead for women to be on par with men as decision makers. Representation alone is inadequate and until it is manifested as participation, it remains limited in its capacity to empower women in the public sphere.
I have been working with rural development from 2008 to 2011, and I have been providing training and supervising training programmes for capacity building of PRIs, where I have noticed that most of the women were not attending the training programmes and if they were coming, they do not have any knowledge about there rights and duties, because they are not actually working. Male family members were working so male family member (husband/ son/ father in law/brother in law), is communicating with all the authorities and women also does not share their phone number with the Panchayat secretary, junior engineer or Block Panchayat and development officer or other authorities who have worked closely with Panchayat. They do not have any knowledge about development schemes relating to the villages.
They contested election only because a male family member couldn't do it due to the reservation of seat for women. So actually nothing has been changed instead of name of the candidate.
It is the men who are making policies and executing them, and women do not have the knowledge of what is going on in their own village.
There are various challenges women are facing to be functioning in local governance:
Conclusion
It is the men who are making policies and executing them, and women do not have the knowledge of what is going on in their own village.
Women were not interested to contest election - it was only a family pressure for them to take this step. They are very busy with their household job and they do not have time for the community. I would not say this about all women. There are some women who want to and are able to contribute the community. These women have self confidence and knowledge, but the percentage is nominal.
There are various challenges women are facing to be functioning in local governance:
- Male dominating society - Women are dependent on their husbands in every sphere of life. They are allowed to take any decision themselves.
- Lack of self confidence among women - Women does not feel themselves that they can make decisions for community. Even well qualified women are not executing their power.
- Social and cultural Issues - Unlike their male counterparts, female candidates are exposed to several barriers that may impact their desire to run for elected office. These barriers, are sex stereotyping, political socialization, lack of preparation for political activity, and balancing work and family.
- Lack of interest among women - Women themselves shows less interest to take the responsibility towards community.
- Political parties does not show enough interest to empower women.
- Women have to know their worth and try to stand for themselves. Women should independently join politics so that they can have a voice in the nation building and can help the cause women in general.
- An important requirement for bringing about empowerment of rural women is to bring about an attitudinal change in both men and women. The feeling that women are meant for household activities and bearing children needs to be replaced by a feeling of equal partnership between women and men.
- There should be increased emphasis on ensuring the participation of women in the meetings of Panchayats at all the levels. This is needed to promote and enhance their leadership qualities and self-confidence. It will help them to perform better in the Panchayats to ensure their participation in the meetings. Attendance of all women must be made compulsory from Gram Panchayat to Zilla Parishad.
- Men should be strictly prohibited to work instead of their female family members by the authorities.
Conclusion
The Indian Constitution gives the privilege to women of the nation to participate in policy making with reservation at the root level, which is actually the root of democracy. This is the biggest platform for every woman to contribute to society and start a political carrier. If they can start here and execute powers independently at village level, there is no power to stop them to participate in policy making at state level and national level.
There are so many hindrances despite that they have opportunity to stand for their political rights to become a true citizen of India.
If the Indian Government would push the need for change by making a nationwide campaign for more women in politics, it would be a good beginning.
There are so many hindrances despite that they have opportunity to stand for their political rights to become a true citizen of India.
If the Indian Government would push the need for change by making a nationwide campaign for more women in politics, it would be a good beginning.
