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| Photo Source The Hindu |
Never
does it strike to our minds that 50% of the population does not find its voice
in the law-making process of the largest democracy in the world. Nationally
there are just 11% women in parliament and 9% in assemblies, passing the post-dated
women reservation bill, local bodies women representation becoming a family
affair with tickets being distributed to women relatives of the male leader who
holds the power and runs the show.
It is not only adding insult to injury but constant humiliation by the patriarchy system on the women. Even in a progressive state like Karnataka that identifies itself as land of Basavanna who fought gender disparity way back in the 12th century the women representation in parliament and assembly is far lesser than the national average.
Irrespective of political parties the unwillingness of the male leadership to share power is slowly distancing women from politics and forcing them into exile. Opportunity, exposure and access leads to growth, unfortunately these are a distant dream for most women in Karnataka politics. With women reservation being far from reality, today when women politicians demand for a fair share of opportunities, they are mocked with a reply that government is giving Rs 2000 and free bus travel for women. Not just in Karnataka assembly, council, boards and corporations, the women are disappearing from the party offices, tv debates, political banners and administrative structure.
In the patriarchy driven system, its desired for men to hang around with the leaders and get access to administrative set up. Out of the 33 ministers in Karnataka not even a single minister has appointed a party woman as OSD or advisor or media in-charge, unfortunately the lone woman minister has no woman as part of the core administrative team and women continue to be outsiders even in administration.
In the rampant dynasty politics in Karnataka the talented and independent men and women both are losing out but the lack of exposure and access is driving away the talented and self-respecting women further away from the system. The hesitancy to even claim a deserving seating at a party meeting and unwillingness to fight for their rights is sending back women to homes, when most senior women have given up, few others continue to fight a losing battle and the younger ones are struggling to carve their paths against all odds.
The challenge of lack of opportunities, exposure and access on one side, facing brutal character assassination, intolerance towards bolder and intelligent women on the other. Women are looked down upon, judged and are not considered as serious politician, rarely one can see political conversations and decisions where women are involved.
One can witness a woman leader of a political party being stopped at Vidhana Soudha where as chamcha of a male leader walk past the security without scrutiny, such is the power of exposure and access. The lopsided presence of only men in the power corridors have never been welcoming of women.
50% of the population in the world largest democracy has just 15% Landholders, 13% in Bureaucracy, 20% Business Owners, 32% in Workforce, if this statistic has to change the politics has to become inclusive and not just representative.
Patriarchy should not have a place in new age politics, it’s important to end the political exile of the women. Parties have to demonstrate political will and empower women politically; through opportunities, exposure and access and realize that women are no political pariahs!
Kavitha Reddy www.kavithareddy.in