Women in Indian Cinema

 

Pradhan On Papers – India’s Failure in Providing Political Equality to Women

India, often celebrated for its vibrant democracy, has made significant strides in various areas of social, economic, and political representation and leadership, the country presents a paradox. Despite the increasing presence of women in politics their roles often remain nominal, restricted to symbolic leadership without substantial power or influence. This article delves into the multifaceted reasons behind the phenomenon of women being leaders only on paper in Indian politics, exploring historical contexts, social norms, political structures, and the challenges that women leaders face.

Asking WHY WE FAILED TO PROVIDE EQUAL POLITICAL OPPORTUNITY TO WOMEM?

नारी का जब हो उठान,

राजनीति में आए बदलाव महान।

सत्ता के गतलयारे जब वे चलें,

समानिा की राहें िब सजें।

होों सशक्त, दृढ़ सोंकल्प वाली,

नई तदशा दें, देश की हर गली।

मतहला शक्तक्त का हो सम्मान,

देश बनेगा तिर महान।

The history of women's political participation in India is marked by notable figures who have made significant contributions. Leaders like Indira Gandhi, the first and only female Prime Minister of India, and Sarojini Naidu, an influential freedom fighter and the first woman to become the President of the Indian National Congress, paved the way for future generations. However, these exceptional cases are not reflective of the broader trend.

Historically, Indian society has been patriarchal, with deeply entrenched gender norms that limit women's roles to the private sphere. The political arena, considered a male domain, has been particularly resistant to change. Despite constitutional guarantees of equality and affirmative action policies like the reservation of seats for women in local governance (Panchayati Raj institutions), the participation of women in politics at higher levels remains disproportionately low.

In this context I have written a poetry:-

वो औरि हैं,

सोंसद में हमें, कहा उसकी ज़रूरि है।।

वो अबला बेचारी है,

वो िो घर में रहने वाली है,

घ ोंघट और तहजाब में उसे ढाोंक दो,

घर और बाजार वाली कह कर बाोंट दो,

वो िो बस मदों की भ ख तमटाने वाली है,

वो औरि हैं,

सोंसद में हमें, कहा उसकी ज़रूरि है।।

उसके हाथ में सत्ता न आने पाए,

करछी और भाजी कही छ ट न जाए,

वो िो पैर की जुििी है,

उसकी हाों, उसकी चुप्पी है,

चुत़ियोों को कलाई में उसकी तजम्मेदारी बिाओों,

बच्चे पैदा करने से पालने िक उसका फ़ज़़ बिाओों

ररश्ोों में हमें उसे बाोंधना है,

क् ोंतक वो औरि हैं,

सोंसद में हमें ,कहा उसकी ज़रूरि है।।

वो माों, बहन, बेटी, पत्नी है,

उसे मि कहना तक कुछ खुद की भी अपनी है,

सारे सामातजक बोंधन उसे तनभाने है,

उसे सारे ररश्े तनभाने है, घर चलाना है,

मि कहना गलिी से भी,

के,

उसका भी हक़ सदन में बराबर का है,

प्रधान, तवधायक, मोंत्री,

वो भी हो सकिी है,

पर

मि कहना उसे,

वो क्ा है न,

वो औरि हैं,

सोंसद में कहा, हमें उसकी ज़रूरि है।।

उसे तसलाई, कढ़ाई में व्यस्त रखना,

उसका.... ये िो िलाने की लुगाई है..... से आगे कोई पररचय न देना,

वो गर प्रधान बन भी जाए,

िो उसका पति ही प्रधान है,

वो औरि हैं,

सोंसद में हमें कहा उसकी ज़रूरि है।।

Many women who do enter politics often find themselves in tokenistic roles. They are frequently appointed to positions without real power, serving as figureheads while male colleagues wield actual influence. This tokenism is evident in various political parties where women leaders are showcased for electoral gains but are rarely entrusted with significant decision-making authority. For instance, many female Members of Parliament (MPs) and state legislators find themselves relegated to committees and roles that are considered less influential. Even in cases where women hold ministerial positions, they are often assigned portfolios perceived as 'soft' or less critical, such as social welfare, women and child development, or education, rather than key areas like finance, defense, or home affairs.

As of 2024, women constitute about 14.4% of the Lok Sabha (the lower house of India's Parliament) and 11.6% of the Rajya Sabha (the upper house). While these figures have improved over the years, they are still far from reflecting the gender composition of the population. The low representation of women in Parliament is indicative of the broader systemic issues that hinder women's political participation.

Societal Norms and Cultural Barriers

• Patriarchy and Gender Roles

The patriarchal structure of Indian society imposes rigid gender roles that discourage women from participating in public life. From a young age, women are socialized to prioritize family responsibilities over personal ambitions. The expectation that women should be primary caregivers and homemakers often limits their ability to engage in politics, which requires significant time, energy, and mobile.

• Stigma and Stereotyping

Women in politics face considerable stigma and stereotyping. They are often judged more harshly than their male counterparts and are subject to scrutiny regarding their personal lives, appearance, and conduct. This hostile environment can deter women from entering politics or push them out once they have entered.

•Violence and Harassment

Violence and harassment, both online and offline, are significant barriers for women in politics. Female politicians frequently encounter threats, intimidation, and abuse, which can undermine their confidence and effectiveness. The lack of adequate support systems and legal protections exacerbates these challenges, making it difficult for women to sustain their political careers.

Political parties in India are predominantly male-dominated, with patriarchal structures that limit women's participation. Women often struggle to rise through party ranks due to a lack of mentorship, support, and opportunities. Decision-making within parties is usually controlled by male leaders, who may be reluctant to share power with women. The electoral process itself can be a barrier for women. Campaigning in India is a resource-intensive and often physically demanding endeavor. Women, particularly those from marginalized communities, may need more financial resources and networks to mount a successful campaign. Additionally, the prevalence of vote-buying and muscle power in elections can disadvantage women candidates. While the reservation of seats for women in local governance has increased their participation at the grassroots level, similar measures have not been implemented at the state and national levels. The Women's Reservation Bill, which proposes reserving 33% of seats in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies for women, has been pending in Parliament for over two decades. The lack of political will to pass this bill underscores the resistance to gender equality in political representation.

Challenges Faced by Women Leaders

•Balancing Personal and Professional Responsibilities

Women politicians often struggle to balance their personal and professional responsibilities. The double burden of managing household duties and fulfilling political roles can be overwhelming, leading to burnout and reduced effectiveness. Unlike their male counterparts, women are rarely afforded the same level of support from their families or society in balancing these responsibilities.

•Limited Access to Networks and Resources

Networking and resource mobilization are crucial for political success. However, women often have limited access to the informal networks and patronage systems that dominate Indian politics. This exclusion from influential circles can hinder their ability to gain support and resources necessary for their political careers.

•Underrepresentation in Leadership Roles

Even when women do enter politics, they are often underrepresented in leadership roles within their parties and in government. The concentration of power in the hands of a few male leaders makes it difficult for women to advance to positions where they can influence policy and decision-making.

To address the issue of women's underrepresentation and symbolic leadership, legal and policy reforms are essential. Passing the Women's Reservation Bill would be a significant step towards ensuring greater representation of women in Parliament and state assemblies. Additionally, implementing measures to combat violence and harassment against women in politics, providing financial and logistical support to female candidates, and promoting gender-sensitive policies within political parties can help create a more inclusive political environment. Efforts to change societal attitudes towards gender roles and women's participation in politics are crucial. This can be achieved through public awareness campaigns, education, and the promotion of positive role models. Encouraging families to

support women's political ambitions and challenging patriarchal norms that confine women to the private sphere are necessary steps towards gender equality in politics. Building and strengthening networks of women in politics can provide the support and resources necessary for their success. Mentorship programs, leadership training, and platforms for women to share experiences and strategies can help them navigate the challenges of political life. Political parties should also create internal mechanisms to support and promote women leaders. The media plays a significant role in shaping public perceptions of women in politics. It is important to ensure that media representation of female politicians is fair and balanced, focusing on their professional achievements rather than personal lives or stereotypes. Highlighting the contributions of women leaders and challenging negative portrayals can help change societal attitudes and inspire more women to enter politics.

While there have been notable successes and progress in women's political participation in India, much remains to be done to ensure that women are not just leaders on paper. Addressing the systemic, societal, and institutional barriers that hinder women's political leadership is essential for achieving true gender equality in Indian politics. By implementing comprehensive legal and policy reforms, changing societal attitudes, strengthening women's networks, and ensuring fair media representation, India can pave the way for more women to take on meaningful and influential leadership roles. Only then can the country fully realize the potential of its vibrant democracy and the contributions of its women leaders. Even if we stand by the current result of the Loksabha 2024 what we find is a part disheartenment, the participation of women is still less, and even if some women are there in politics either they have a family background or have switched their carrier from being actresses which helped them to gain support rather than this there is barely anyone women in the current Indian central politics who got the fair means of support from the society to participate in this most fundamental part of our country’s destiny.

Written By: Diksha Madhukar

Content Associate