The politics of women’s empowerment

The greatest exercise of adult franchise in the world is currently underway in our country. The 2014 Lok Sabha elections have eclipsed cricket results and the latest Bollywood releases. It is no longer acceptable to shrug off politics like a bad cold. The current elections are fascinating, not just because of the new cast of characters who have emerged on the political scene but for the variety of issues on which these elections are being fought.

 

For the first time, ‘women’s empowerment’ is seen as one of the key items in the manifestos of the major political parties. It is right there along with economic development, corruption, communal harmony, poverty alleviation and other familiar election tropes. Rahul Gandhi apparently mentioned women’s empowerment 47 times in an interview. The Modi Sarkar claims that it will create an environment of respect and security for women. The AAP is talking about the safety of women.

 

Ironically, the representation of women in Parliament in India is only 11 percent – 59 out of 545 seats. India ranks 108 out of 188 countries on women’s representation in Parliament. The numbers have not shown a significant increase in the last few years. We need to increase this percentage if we want to build a just, equitable society where all voices are heard and all views are respected. We cannot expect any empowerment if women cannot participate in the political process.

 

While the reservation for women in Panchayat elections has been around for a decade, the legislation reserving 33 percent of the seats in Parliament for women is still pending. Even if there is a quota system, even if we do reserve some seats in Parliament, the question on my mind is whether we will have enough capable women coming forward to contest the elections. Most of the women have entered politics through their connections with male politicians. As relatives or as proteges, they have been thrust into the spotlight and used as proxies by the powerful men. Some have forged their own identity, some have quietly vanished from the spotlight.

 

In a country where we have had a woman Prime Minister and a woman President, politics is not a profession of choice for most women. I remember seeing some kids show on TV when little girls proclaimed that they wanted to be doctors, lawyers, dancers, engineers, and teachers. Not one said, ‘I want to be the Prime Minister’. We rarely hear success stories of the women who have won in the Panchayat elections. We have a few good role models in politics, even fewer women role models. We may call them Didi, Amma, and Behenji but few want to be like them. They may evoke a reluctant respect for having survived in the political maelstrom but have not been able to kindle that spark that will inspire other women.

 

I recently read an article that the women politicians were subject to sexual slurs and pawing in the recent campaign. The actress Nagma was molested, Hema Malini refused to get out of her car, fearing for her safety amongst the crowd. Objectionable photoshopped pictures of other ladies have been posted on the Internet. Even the veteran politician Jayalalitha was manhandled in the Tamil Nadu Assembly when a couple of unruly MLAs tugged at her sari. Unlike other celebrities, a politician’s work is among the people, all kinds of people. Running for public office is a risky proposition. But apart from the risk of losing an election, death threats and invasion of privacy that all politicians face, women in the public eye face the additional risk of loss of dignity. Political power often bows before the power of the patriarchy.

 

Politics is a demanding boss. The hours are crazy, irregular. Before the campaign, there is extensive traveling to places that are not on any tourist map. The official earnings compare poorly with many other professions. There are no retirement benefits, child care options or clear career paths. The office politics in any large private conglomerate is child’s play compared to the hurly-burly of realpolitik.

 

Leadership research shows that most women in organizations view politics as ‘ evil’ and believe that they do not need or have the skills required for political maneuvering. Men view politics as a natural part of the process as something necessary for career advancement. Women believe that hard work and good results are enough to propel them into a higher role. This works to some extent in the corporate world but is completely untrue in the world of politics. Politics is a dirty word today. It evokes images of sleazy middle-aged men who deftly juggle low morals with high ambitions. Many women who want to do ‘good work’ may stay away from the cesspool that modern politics seems to have become.

 

The good news is that the current elections have seen a new bunch of women candidates from diverse backgrounds and professions. While the numbers alone may not be encouraging, the fact that women who are not from a political family are stepping forward to contest elections is heartening. AAP with its promise of ‘clean’ politics has encouraged several women to enter the arena.

 

Veteran activist Medha Patkar with decades of social activism, Soni Sori, an Adivasi school teacher from Bastar, Meera Sanyal, the former head of Royal Bank of Scotland and Shazia Illmi, a journalist are some of the AAP candidates. More actresses are in the fray. I have heard Smriti Irani speak. She comes across as an articulate woman with strong views. Gul Panag, who I have met on several occasions, is a confident intelligent young woman with a conscience.

 

I hope several of these women win. If they win, I hope they make good on electoral promises. I wish they make a difference and become role models for other women. Then we can consider public service a viable option for women. Then women’s empowerment can move out of the manifestos and become a reality.

 

This article was first published on IBN Live’s blog