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But a country cannot progress if half its population is enslaved
in the kitchen. India, on attaining independence, was among the
first few countries to grant universal franchise to women, on a
par with men. It was presumed that here rights would
automatically translate into the political life of the country.
The issue of women’s participation in politics cannot be
viewed in isolation from the general position of women in
society. Political status refers to the degree of equality and
freedom enjoyed by women in society and their involvement in
shaping and sharing of power. Political participation is a
process, while contesting elections is its highest form. Despite
their vast strength, women occupy a secondary position in the
political system. With a few exceptions, they have remained
outside the domain of power, governance, decision-making bodies
and political authority. This is precisely the central theme of
the book by Neena Joseph.
The 73rd
constitutional amendment providing one-third representation to
women in elected bodies as well as reserving one-third of the
offices of chairpersons for them will have far-reaching
consequences in Indian political and social life. This is indeed
a welcome, though delayed, gesture, for we cannot make democracy
meaningful in a traditional society like ours without the full
involvement of women. But a constitutional provision is only a
necessary step, which should be followed by effective measures
for women’s uplift in the country. To make women’s
participation in society and politics a reality, enormous work
remains to be done, given their present socio-economic
condition.
In India,
women-friendly development remains a myth. The indicators for
women’s development present a pathetic picture despite all the
rhetoric. It is quite frustrating to see the clock turn back in
our country. The glorious traditions of more than a century and
a half of the nineteenth century, the Gandhian ideology of women’s
emancipation, the guarantees provided by the Constitution of
India for gender equality, everything goes in vain, widening the
gap between rhetoric and reality.
The book also
brings into relief many gender-related problems, including the
issue of gross under-representation of women in political
leadership and the problems women face in the exercise of
leadership at a local level.
Women’s
emancipation is put forth as the solution to gender-related
problems. Various empowerment models are elaborated and the
quintessence of these models is generalised with the message
that an eclectic approach is needed to tailor-make an
empowerment model suited to the context.
The achievements
of several empowered women are described in the book. The
complexity of the task involved in empowering the multitude of
women is described, the ample opportunity to empower women in
panchayats detailed and the moral responsibility of women
leaders to work for women’s advancement is underlined. The
necessity and legitimacy of reservation of women in the local
bodies is argued. The significance of gender sensitisation and
the role of training in enhancing the effectiveness of women
leaders is highlighted.
The arguments are
supported by data. The case studies and observations quoted lead
the readers to the reality of gender discrimination in
day-to-day life, even at an emotional level. Although women’s
empowerment is discussed in the background of Panchayati Raj,
the ideas and logic expressed can be extended to any context
where there is striving for women’s development and where
there is exercise of female leadership.
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