Report

Women Power

Pankaj Sharma

Women are battling it out in the political arena for a long time. Who is not familiar with the legendary accounts of Rani Lakshmibai and Razia Sultan? Women have always been in the forefront of Indian politics — be it during the freedom movement or contributing to building a vibrant democracy.

The constant increase in the number of women members in the Lok Sabha is a testimony to this. While the first Lok Sabha had 23 women, the current 13th Lok Sabha has 48 — the maximum by far. In 1993, an important step for women empowerment was taken by reserving 33 percent seats for women in ‘Panchayati Raj’ institutions. This brought in a revolutionary change and women participation in decision making increased at block and district levels.

A woman deciding to opt for public life has to address dual responsibility. She is expected to keep her home, family and children. Politics could turn out to be an ordeal, if you don’t have a supportive and understanding family. Like any other profession, politics has its pitfalls. There are people who would like to take advantage and one has to be careful.

To succeed in the political arena, women have to blend her striyatva (feminity) with shakti (strength). Women are natural fighters in the war against injustice, discrimination and exploitation. Other inherent attributes which make women suitable for the profession are mamata (motherhood), shaleenta (courtesy), madhurta (tenderness) and kindness, which are rare in men.

Politics is a technical subject as any other profession. One has to understand ethos, values and spirit of the country if one aspires to succeed in politics. It’s very important for a leader to inspire the confidence in people and country. It was this quality which made Indiraji a world leader and a role model for many.

Famous Ramayan Kathakar and saint Morari Bapu presenting the Gram Swaraj mandal Sewa Trust and Sitaram Sewa Trust Award carrying cash award of Rs. 101,000/- to Shri Savshibhai, MP, and his late brother Karamshi Bhai at Dhajala in Rajkot District for their dedicated work of uplifting the ‘Koli’ community in Saurashtra. Shri Savshibhai and Karamshi Bhai are from ‘Koli’ tribe and followers of Gandhian thought.

Some people argue that the policy of reservation for women in panchayat raj bodies has failed. Nothing could be further from truth. We often see women leaders making remarkable achievements in the development of their villages often resisting the pessure of vested interests with a lot of grit and determination.

In many cases they have been helped by voluntary organisations and people’s movements active in their region. In some cases enlightened family members, including husbands, have also encouraged them to realise their potential of initiating meaningful social change.

It is quite clear that when conducive conditions exist women play a leading and active role in decision-making at the village level thereby benefitting the entire village community. Increased participation of women is often associated with better utilisation of financial resources, greater harmony in village and prioritisation of some important but neglected aspects of development such as girls’ education and sanitation. Social reform measures such as reduction in alcohol consumption and domestic violence clearly get more prominence when women come to the forefront in rural communities.

Corruption has been one of the main problems of panchayat raj representatives function in an independent way, possibilities of corruption are less. Women are known to use money very carefully at home, and somehow manage the family budget even when income is low. Women show the same abilities when they manage the village funds. Women representatives has shown the capacity for increasing panchayat’s income to make the development work more self-reliant. Women are also generally known to have a greater capacity for resolving disputes, better implementation of water, sanitation, girls’ education, women’s health and maternity.

Thus, it is in the interests of not just women but the entire village community that women’s role should be enhanced. The 33 percent reservation for women in panchayati raj institutions is an important part of this empowerment. To further strengthen the efforts of elected - women representatives the government should provide greater security to women from the anger of powerful vested interest who try to harm and harass them in various ways. Voluntary organisations should also play a crucial role in helping and training elected women representatives.