The recently declared results of the
elections to the Assembly in Karnataka show that only three women have
been elected to this prestigious democratic body. Of a total of 224
members, this is a miniscule 1.34 per cent. A total of 110 women
contested from various constituencies as against 2,134 men indicating
that the number of women contestants were also minimal.
In Mysore district, for example, of 123 contestants who were in the
fray, only four were women. One represented the Sarvodaya Karnataka
Paksha and the others were independents. Obviously, none of the
nationally recognised political parties deemed it fit to “put forth”
women candidates.
And in areas where they were backed, it was for reasons such as
“proving astrologers right”, as in the case of Mamatha Nichhani and S G
Anupama, both first-timers in politics.
Gender stereotypes define roles that women play and exclude spaces for
women in the domain of politics. Worse, when women are “allowed” to be
a part of the political processes as in Panchayat Raj institutions,
accusations are hurdled against their non-participation or proxy
participation by their spouse.
Women’s participation in the electoral process is limited to the
casting of votes. Around 64.24 per cent of eligible women voters in
Mysore district attended polling. The corresponding percentage for men
is 69.64.
Women’s attendance at polling is however not indicative of their
decision making powers. Most often they are told “whom” to vote for.
The political parties often approach women groups such as Stree Sakthi
to lure them with sarees and providing cooking gas connections.
Political leaders find it easy to reach a group of women through
networks.
The ambience in the proximity of the polling stations is also a matter
of discomfort, especially for rural women. Political party
representatives “men” gather in large numbers near polling stations.
The Code of Conduct specified that there should be no tables within 200
meters proximity from polling stations. The strict enforcement of this
rule enabled women to vote with a happier frame of mind. Separate
queues for men and women at the time of voting were also appreciated.
Officialdom is however not always sensitive to introduce changes that
would make the electoral process pro-women. In Mysore district, the
24x7 control room, to register public complaints, did not make an
attempt to note down the gender of the caller. The reason given is that
not many women called anyway. Similarly, in the pseudo ballot paper
created to demonstrate how to use Electronic Voting Machines, all seven
names listed are those of men.
That women can get into the political arena only if seats are reserved
for them is apparent by the limited number of seats that they have now
come to occupy in the Karnataka Assembly. The higher percentage of
women’s representation in the rural and urban local governments is also
proof of this. The rural and urban local governments have a sizeable
number of women’s representation owning to reservation.
Women form a sizeable percentage of population and should be made
inclusive in the political processes, if overall progress and
development is to be achieved. The notional value of being equal to
men, by exercising their franchise that many women hold, should get
replaced with concrete changes, if “free and fair” elections should
have value for all citizens in India.
http://www.deccanherald.com/Content/Jun42008/panorama2008060371501.asp
