Participation Of Women In Politics.

Indian democracy is in its 73rd year now and yet the true ideals of democracy are far to be reached, especially for the women in our country.

According to several intra and international surveys and researches, it has been found out and moreover it is a very common global experience that when it comes to politics, women are marginalized, and this is not only a practice/condition in India, but several so called ‘developed’ countries also have inadequate participation and representation of women in the national and international councils and forums.This becomes a huge setback or rather problem for countries which possess a democratic form of government as it is technically impossible for a democracy to function or work if a considerable amount of people which constitutes the society doesn’t take part in politics and/or decision/policy making.

Now we need to realize that ‘political participation’ doesn’t only remain limited to casting of vote during election but it encompasses a plethora of other duties/activities in different roles and capacity. It includes the freedom to debate and express thoughts and political views openly and freely without any fear or hierarchical/external pressure or control; assemble and associate freely and conduct public meetings and propaganda; right and ability to take part in the conduct of public affairs; the opportunity to get a ticket for contesting the elections, to campaign, get elected and hold office at all levels of the government; and the list goes on.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), which is the quintessential document which is taken into consideration at the very onset, whenever any issue regarding human rights comes into play, affirms in its articles the illegality of gender and social discrimination and the fundamental rights given to all human beings including women and girls. Article 1 and 2.1 specifically reiterates the equality of all human beings irrespective of anything and that all human beings are entitled to enjoy the rights which are set forth in the aforementioned declaration.Even the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) of 1976 and The Vienna Declaration and Program of Action of 1993 emphasize upon the fundamental freedoms that every human being is entitled to and rejects any kind of gender based discrimination. The ECOSOC resolution of 24th May 1990, contains the recommendation for the 30% quota for female political leaders. The UNSC resolution 1325(2000) is a landmark resolution which emphasizes he important role of women in peacebuilding and their important political participation in post conflict countries. The UNGA resolution 66/130 is based on the elimination of discriminatory applications and/or restrictions regarding women’s political participation. Some other relevant UN resolutions are: UNGA resolution on women’s political participation in 2011, A/HCR/23/50, Report of the Secretary General (A/68/184) 2013.

In 1979, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women was adopted by the General Assembly. The preamble of this Convention is of capital importance by emphasizing the urgency of the marginalization of women and the necessity of enjoyment of equal rights with men.The article 7 of the Convention is vital for the promotion of the political participation of women. As the outcome document of the Fourth Conference on Women in 1995, The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action can be also treated as another crucial international instrument. We can clearly state that the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action had a positive impact on the political participation of Women. Particularly the UN- ratified documents such as The CEDAW and the Beijing Declaration and Platform For Action are used as “legitimate and effective tools” for the future progress to “redress gender imbalances”.

Commission on Status of Women is another vital entity for the protection of rights of women and for the promotion of the gender equality. CSW evaluated the theme of “equal participation of women and men in decision-making processes at all levels” in their 50th annual session. In July 2010, UNWOMEN was created under the General Assembly which focuses on the problems regarding women and a major part of its work constitutes the political participation of women.

Having mentioned all the international frameworks to combat gender discrimination, let us understand what hinders the active participation of women in politics; Illiteracy is a major reason which hinders the active political participation of women in politics. Being unaware of the social and political rights and duties that they possess, women tend to form a preconceived notion which is negative in nature, towards politics and hence stay away from it. The discriminatory domestic laws also acts as major barriers.

Unequal division of household work between men and women also acts as a major barrier which prevents the active political participation of women. Unfortunately, still in a country like India, women are expected to care of the household, do all the daily chores and take care of the children. These gender roles should be abolished as it limits the capability and capacity, not only of a woman but that of a man as well.

Certain political parties in our country still favor a male candidate to a female candidate and therefore renders them tickets to contest elections. Unless the mindset of these people can be altered or a particular number of tickets that should be specifically given to women candidates is specified by the Honorable Supreme Court of India, it will be really difficult for a country like India to have equal male and female representatives in the Parliament.

I personally would like to reiterate that it is absolutely imperative for women to come out of their comfort zones and play the odds for the greater good of the nation. For a democracy like India to function properly, women of the nation from all the sections of the society have to come forward and join the political mainstream to play an effective role in the policy formation and decision making.

To conclude, I would like to quote The Former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton as she correctly said that “When women participate in the economy, everyone benefits. When women participate in peace-making and peace-keeping, we all are safer and more secure. And when women participate in politics of their nation, they can make a difference”.

Thank you,
Rajdeep Bhattacharjee.