Women in Indian Cinema

 NAME - PRAKRITI CHAUDHARY

DEPARTMENT - b.A.[HONS].PHILOSOPHY

COLLEGE - LADY SHRI RAM COLLEGE FOR WOMEN

TOPIC - “EMPOWERING SHE IN POLITICS: CHALLENGING ORTHODOX

NORMS FOR WOMEN’S POLITICAL PARTICIPATION”

“…Her wings are cut and then she is blamed for not knowing how to fly”

- Simon de Beauvoir

The above quote gives us an impression how we fail as a society to give a path to success to our women.

How on each and every step of her success we try to cut their wings and pull them down.

We as women have come a long way. Fought and earned our rights in many fields. But then there are some

areas like politics which we still have to conquer. Women established themselves in many occupations,

however women’s advancement and participation remains sluggish around all the regions and cultures,

particularly in decision making positions.

The good news is that women’s political representation is increasing all over the world the world . The bad

news is that it is still not nearly enough. Women still constitute only a small minority of parliaments seats,

and the rate of increase is very slow. The impediment to women’s participation in politics begins within their

house. At early stages it starts with not providing the same amount of education as compared to their sons.

Due to lack of finance or because of the stereotypical thought that they are going to marry someday. At later

stage seeking permission from their spouse. Some spouses do not allow their wives to engage in campaign

when their children are young and as always there are some societal norms which are mainly advocated by

men that women are made for household chores.

Many times women quit themselves cause they don’t get any support from their spouse or in laws and it

becomes really very hard to juggle between family and professional life.

Political parties are the key vehicles for women to enter the electoral office and political leadership positions.

Politics is always dominated and controlled by men. Men created and set the criteria for assessment. The

continuation of this male dominated model results in Women often loosing their chance to get the ticket and

getting questioned on how they are going to mange campaign and household. The consequence of this is

lower interest and involvement of women in politics.

In the political arena women suffer and fear from getting discrimination, abuse and violence during election.

Media fails to form a good impression of politics on women.

Mass media plays a significant role in generating public attitude and consciousness. The way media portrays

women most of the time and female politicians, in particular have significant influence on their participation

in politics. The media spreads stereotypes of traditional roles for women rather than conveying a positive

image of women.

Violence against female politicians looking for political space is very common. Women suffers from

harassment in parliament like S.Jayalalitha has been through. We talk about only one story but there are

many more untold or hidden stories which women hesitate to share with society.

Finance is essential in politics as it is virtually impossible to fund a campaign without some money.

Campaign finance has been identified as a central component for achieving gender equity in political realm.

Since, men control wealth in most of the families and it is difficult for women to raise or obtain loans.

Women candidates are bound by the permission or support of their husbands for funding.

One of the recent apparently positive global trends is of introducing gender quotas. No doubt, it is a very

favourable step taken in elimination of discrimination against women in politics or to support women

representation in political arena. It is important to stress that electoral quotas do not solve all the problem for

women in politics. Nor do quotas overturn a male dominated political system once and for all.

In addition to all the problems above, isolating women from the world under the guise of ‘safety’ leads to

lack of public confidence and the skill of socialisation. This becomes a major hindrance in their journey of

conquering the world of politics.

Women are struggling for a very long time whether it is the field of politics or any other profession. It all

begins within ourselves by being confident and courageous enough to stand in a male dominated place and

by raising our voices. Cooperation from their family especially from spouse and in-laws is vital for women

to participate in politics. Family members can look after children and household chores so that interested

women can manage time for politics and have larger number women in political parties.

Government Should ensure more women in decision-making and at other senior positions from where

women might make their transition into political leadership. Government bodies can also introduce more

women friendly policies like free child care center, convenient meeting time and provide ways to overcome

the domestic responsibility. Also, financial support should be offered to women in need while campaigning

for election.

Mass media can bring a drastic change in people’s perception by bringing broadcasting shows which are

breaking stereotypical norms and portraying Female protagonists in a way that brings a positive mindset.

There has to be bring a lot of changes but we have to do it as a society rather than doing it as an individual or

one community.