The Power Struggle for a women …Are we also Involved?
“Raajneeti…..Aurto ka kaam nahi hai”…..its nothing but just a simpler for women to handle her responsiblities at home and leave the politics to men,no?
In the view of the High point of the trailer of a recently released show on an OTT platform named”MAHAARANI”,that showcases the lead being shocked to see high proportions of men in the congregation ,saying”Is this a vidhan sabha or a men’s sabha”. let me take you through a ride telling about how we had entertained the role of women in politics in the past and are doing in the contemporary world too.
What’s in the past?
The social codes of Ancient Indian society tended to Straight-jacket elite women into domestic roles,denying them entry into the political sphere.but defying these codes,many women played indirect and sometimes even direct roles in the exercise of political power.
The ancient Indian text ,“Arthashastra” acknowledges women’s political agency, Also in the Mahabharat ,Draupadi plays an active role in the debate citing whether the Pandavas should go to war or not and in ancient Tamil dynasty of Chola, we see evidence of women having to hold certain crucial offices such as ambassadors,advisors and even bodyguards and Throne guards.
Centuries later in the Mughal India too,we get to see evidence of wives of Dynasts playing a prominent role in politics. For instance ,Babur -the founder of Mughal Rule in India was trained in lessons of warfare and diplomatic affairs by his grandmother ,Daulat Begum and years later in the 19th Century when the British annexed the Kingdom of Awadh,while Nawab Wajid Ali Shah fled Calcutta to seek Help,his wife Begum Hazarat Mahal who chose to stay on and Challenge the British and also became a leading face in the revolt of 1857.
But even though Women played unofficial roles in policy making and Diplomacy ,they were rarely given official opportunities in the political realm,This changed with the birth of print media in India and Women’s public participation in India’s first debates of law and Reform related to age of Sexual consent and child Marriage,
The further Nationalist Movement too encouraged the participation of Women especially after the agitations after the partition of Bengal in 1905 ranging from Rani lakshmi bai to the “home Rule” by Annie besant and a a push for active Participation in Indian politics including their right to vote was led by Sarojini naidu,Mithal Laam ,Herabai Tata and a lot more.
Between 1919 and 1929 almost all British provinces agreed to give Women to Vote but then this was encouraged by less than a percent of women,it was only after the drafting of constitution in 1948 that all could women Vote ,but still ,now women could vote but their participation was non existential.
The Contemporary
Even Today in the Current Indian Parliament only about 13% of women are there and a far less in the Current Cabinet,But why? its been 25 years since the introduction of bill for 33% reservation of seats in Parliament for women , but it is yet to be passed.Even now Political Wings either national or state don’t give more 20% of tickets to women for contesting Elections for MP or MLA.
This attitude stems from a monolithic patriarchal mindset according to which only men can be capable of a being good leader and we reinforce this mindset from a very young age,as young boys in low income group are encouraged to study,play and gain leadership qualities whereas their female siblings are encouraged to learn household chores and help domestically from a very young age.
In colleges and universities ,Unions and Presidential roles are often filed by men ,As women who do make it to the university level prefer to focus on their studies or stay away from Dirty Politics,This notion of politics being a dirty game plays a huge part in families and their support system, finding it dangerous or unsafe for young Women to get into politics,This adds to the vicious Cycle of politics continuing to be Male Dominated,a fact which is often Highlighted in the treatment of the few Women politicians we have . From what they wear and how they drape their sarees to how they talk and express themselves,everything comes under scrutiny,they are far more prone to Sexualisation and derogatory remarks about their merit and demeanour.
Cut The Clutter
But here’s the thing, There are established and growing evidence that Women’s leadership in politics actually improves Governance by increasing responsiveness to citizen’s needs,by improving cooperation between political parties and by prioritising long term development through education and healthcare,So maybe its time we make space for women in politics not just with these tokenistic gestures but by challenging and changing this “56-inch chest” hyper-masculine way in which politics takes place.and make the field of politics and the world at large better and a better governed place if we battle these biases that stop women from entering political roles.
