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A woman politician in India plays a pivotal role in empowering women by addressing women's issues more actively than men say #WomenOnTheMove.
A woman politician in India plays a pivotal role in empowering women by addressing women’s issues more actively than men say #WomenOnTheMove.
Conventional politics has always been dominated by men. Women and their issues were largely ignored given the dismal numbers of women representatives in the political circle. However, in recent years, the world has witnessed a phenomenal rise of women politicians across countries and continents. The growing numbers have resulted in an increased addressal of women’s issues and passing of laws aimed at empowering women.
Women suffrage came early in India. Indian women never saw a mass political movement, unlike Western countries, for getting their voting rights. Women had always played an active role in politics in India. However, the post independence Parliamentary reforms helped Indian women to achieve an unprecedented political break-through — reservation of seats in gram panchayats and other public bodies. The reform accentuated the role of women in Indian politics. They participated in voting, ran for public offices and political parties at lower levels more than men.
That said, although rural governance saw a massive increase in women representatives, the numbers in comparison to men in State Assemblies and Parliament were extremely low. While the global average for Women in Parliament stands at 22.4%, India has a meagre 12% representation.
Last week, we had our weekly #Womenonthemove chat over at Twitter, where we discussed the factors resposible for this dismal picture, despite the reservation, of women politicians in India. This is what they said.
(If you’re not yet following Women’s Web on Twitter, do now, and you can come over for the chat too, every Wednesday 6-7PM IST).
@womensweb : No, its difficult for women to be leaders at political front than business. — rucha (@Rucha_Ira) December 7, 2016Never miss real stories from India's women.Register Now
@womensweb : No, its difficult for women to be leaders at political front than business.
— rucha (@Rucha_Ira) December 7, 2016
Not at all radically different barriers #WomenOnTheMove https://t.co/UpMhXYGgG1 — anupama (@anupamaskapoor) December 7, 2016
Not at all radically different barriers #WomenOnTheMove https://t.co/UpMhXYGgG1
— anupama (@anupamaskapoor) December 7, 2016
I think tough for anyone in india but harder for women. Still very much the ‘exception’ #womenonthemove https://t.co/3w5DBIIimt — Aparna V Singh (@editorsahiba) December 7, 2016
I think tough for anyone in india but harder for women. Still very much the ‘exception’ #womenonthemove https://t.co/3w5DBIIimt
— Aparna V Singh (@editorsahiba) December 7, 2016
@womensweb the challenges are always lopsided in politics and life. — Pooja Sharma Rao (@IAmSufiZen) December 7, 2016
@womensweb the challenges are always lopsided in politics and life.
— Pooja Sharma Rao (@IAmSufiZen) December 7, 2016
@editorsahiba @womensweb probably also because politics is dynasty based and prefers male heirs. — Pooja Sharma Rao (@IAmSufiZen) December 7, 2016
@editorsahiba @womensweb probably also because politics is dynasty based and prefers male heirs.
@womensweb #WomenOnTheMove Yes. They are expected to be tough yet ‘feminine’ in the traditional sense. Should not be mutually exclusive! — Sandhya R (@sandhyarl) December 7, 2016
@womensweb #WomenOnTheMove Yes. They are expected to be tough yet ‘feminine’ in the traditional sense. Should not be mutually exclusive!
— Sandhya R (@sandhyarl) December 7, 2016
@womensweb Yes they are. Women in general are up for scrutiny much more than men, that extends to politics too.#WomenOnTheMove +1 — anupama (@anupamaskapoor) December 7, 2016
@womensweb Yes they are. Women in general are up for scrutiny much more than men, that extends to politics too.#WomenOnTheMove +1
Also at grassroots level I think it must be harder for women simply to travel safely, move in crowds etc https://t.co/3w5DBIIimt — Aparna V Singh (@editorsahiba) December 7, 2016
Also at grassroots level I think it must be harder for women simply to travel safely, move in crowds etc https://t.co/3w5DBIIimt
Yes. parties give fewer women tickets since they are perceived as less likely to win #WomenOnTheMove https://t.co/iXYjkdoXEg — Aparna V Singh (@editorsahiba) December 7, 2016
Yes. parties give fewer women tickets since they are perceived as less likely to win #WomenOnTheMove https://t.co/iXYjkdoXEg
@womensweb the meaning of ruthless changes drastically from biz to politics.Else we would see a larger women rep in politics #WomenOnTheMove — anupama (@anupamaskapoor) December 7, 2016
@womensweb the meaning of ruthless changes drastically from biz to politics.Else we would see a larger women rep in politics #WomenOnTheMove
@womensweb yes because politics is socio-economic too and also about psychological perceptions of gender — Pooja Sharma Rao (@IAmSufiZen) December 7, 2016
@womensweb yes because politics is socio-economic too and also about psychological perceptions of gender
@womensweb Business gives her the respects she needs from Day-1 but in politics she is been treated adversely if not from a known family. — rucha (@Rucha_Ira) December 7, 2016
@womensweb Business gives her the respects she needs from Day-1 but in politics she is been treated adversely if not from a known family.
@womensweb Not entirely,in a sense the Corporate world is ensconced in a shell, #WomenOnTheMove as a politician,a billion fangs bared +1 — anupama (@anupamaskapoor) December 7, 2016
@womensweb Not entirely,in a sense the Corporate world is ensconced in a shell, #WomenOnTheMove as a politician,a billion fangs bared +1
@anupamaskapoor @womensweb however often women are just signatories and actual decision making is done by husband/father often. — Pooja Sharma Rao (@IAmSufiZen) December 7, 2016
@anupamaskapoor @womensweb however often women are just signatories and actual decision making is done by husband/father often.
@womensweb #WomenOnTheMove A lil shaken by #Ammas stories of 1980s,shocking only the #thickskinned survive & boy what a rockstar she was +2 — anupama (@anupamaskapoor) December 7, 2016
@womensweb #WomenOnTheMove A lil shaken by #Ammas stories of 1980s,shocking only the #thickskinned survive & boy what a rockstar she was +2
@womensweb #WomenOnTheMove Businesses, politics – all based on the male model of work. Maybe time to be more inclusive? — Sandhya R (@sandhyarl) December 7, 2016
@womensweb #WomenOnTheMove Businesses, politics – all based on the male model of work. Maybe time to be more inclusive?
@womensweb Certainly #WomenOnTheMove bring the right perspective,all the same they also need to fight hard to be heard — Mamta Jain (@mamtatwits) December 7, 2016
@womensweb Certainly #WomenOnTheMove bring the right perspective,all the same they also need to fight hard to be heard
— Mamta Jain (@mamtatwits) December 7, 2016
@womensweb #WomenOnTheMove While this is expected, it might depend upon the politician herself – her policies and actions. — Sandhya R (@sandhyarl) December 7, 2016
@womensweb #WomenOnTheMove While this is expected, it might depend upon the politician herself – her policies and actions.
A3: It does if the women politicians are smart and fearless. They tackle women issues more vehemently. #WomenOnTheMove https://t.co/0DaVzIKR7u — Tarang Sinha (@TarangSinha) December 7, 2016
A3: It does if the women politicians are smart and fearless. They tackle women issues more vehemently. #WomenOnTheMove https://t.co/0DaVzIKR7u
— Tarang Sinha (@TarangSinha) December 7, 2016
@womensweb it’s not guaranteed as a woman can be patriarchal. But it can really help if the woman feels strongly about women empowerment. — Anupama Dalmia (@Anupama_Dalmia) December 7, 2016
@womensweb it’s not guaranteed as a woman can be patriarchal. But it can really help if the woman feels strongly about women empowerment.
— Anupama Dalmia (@Anupama_Dalmia) December 7, 2016
@womensweb yes! Women understand women’ issues better & are more likely to come up with appropriate steps to tackle them. #WomenOnTheMove — Meghana Pawar (@MeghanazExpress) December 7, 2016
@womensweb yes! Women understand women’ issues better & are more likely to come up with appropriate steps to tackle them. #WomenOnTheMove
— Meghana Pawar (@MeghanazExpress) December 7, 2016
@womensweb Yes women politicians can empathise with the issues better, sensitive issues can be handled well #WomenOnTheMove — Sakshi Dutt (@sakshi2487) December 7, 2016
@womensweb Yes women politicians can empathise with the issues better, sensitive issues can be handled well #WomenOnTheMove
— Sakshi Dutt (@sakshi2487) December 7, 2016
@womensweb safe & secure equal opportunities from the grassroots, no mere signatory for men behind them, non-political background encouraged — Pooja Sharma Rao (@IAmSufiZen) December 7, 2016
@womensweb safe & secure equal opportunities from the grassroots, no mere signatory for men behind them, non-political background encouraged
#ReservationBill needs tb passed,campaigns on #GenderEquality from a willing govt should help,more new young parties #WomenOnTheMove IMHO https://t.co/wEmYRkNVdk — anupama (@anupamaskapoor) December 7, 2016
#ReservationBill needs tb passed,campaigns on #GenderEquality from a willing govt should help,more new young parties #WomenOnTheMove IMHO https://t.co/wEmYRkNVdk
A4: Mandatory seats for women. Not just tickets, but positions/rights/freedom and support to work fearlessly. #WomenOnTheMove https://t.co/UEsPWT19hm — Tarang Sinha (@TarangSinha) December 7, 2016
A4: Mandatory seats for women. Not just tickets, but positions/rights/freedom and support to work fearlessly. #WomenOnTheMove https://t.co/UEsPWT19hm
@anupamaskapoor @womensweb lots of pro-women in politics laws already there,implementation is where we falter as a nation — Pooja Sharma Rao (@IAmSufiZen) December 7, 2016
@anupamaskapoor @womensweb lots of pro-women in politics laws already there,implementation is where we falter as a nation
And relevant education and training #WomenOnTheMove https://t.co/zzs9TrwH02 — anupama (@anupamaskapoor) December 7, 2016
And relevant education and training #WomenOnTheMove https://t.co/zzs9TrwH02
Politics is the only place where the term ‘Reservation’ (for ‘Women’) makes sense. @womensweb #WomenOnTheMove — Tarang Sinha (@TarangSinha) December 7, 2016
Politics is the only place where the term ‘Reservation’ (for ‘Women’) makes sense. @womensweb #WomenOnTheMove
@womensweb More opportunities at the grass root level #WomenOnTheMove — Sakshi Dutt (@sakshi2487) December 7, 2016
@womensweb More opportunities at the grass root level #WomenOnTheMove
@womensweb equal opportunities and encouragement. Also awareness needs to be spread as a lot of them do not get to know much about politics. — Anupama Dalmia (@Anupama_Dalmia) December 7, 2016
@womensweb equal opportunities and encouragement. Also awareness needs to be spread as a lot of them do not get to know much about politics.
Image sources: Google
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