Introduction:
Reservation means setting something aside for a particular purpose.
Women’s indulgence in politics over time has improved but not at the pace which we would like. For the 21st century and comparing it with other countries, India is behind. Some countries have made an impressive increase in women’s participation in politics like Africa (Sub-Saharan) from 11 to 23.7 per cent whereas Arab states have 3.1 to 17 per cent as of 2018.
With the slow increase in the number of women participants in politics, it has increased the need for reservation of seats for women. In recent years, we saw that women around the world are establishing themselves and are coming forward for elections more and more, ultimately their numbers are nonetheless far behind than men. Even though it is widely believed that a country cannot be changed without equal representation of its people but still women are side-lined even though they have the capability.[1]
One of the aims of UN Women’s work is improving women’s political participation and good governance, to ensure that decision-making procedures are participatory, responsive, equitable and comprehensive. Accomplishments are directed through strategic entry points that can advance the significance of women.[2]
The main question which arises is why women don’t participate in politics. It’s not just India but many other countries face similar problems and the available answers aren’t too satisfying.
In our country reservations at panchayat level for women is available but when it comes to the centre and state level it isn’t.
In this, we will study the need for reservation of seats in politics for women.
Requirement
The committee which submitted Surrogacy report in 2017 had only 5 women out of 32. That is less than 20 per cent and this report has more impact on women than men.
Similarly, the report submitted by the committee regarding ‘issues of women safety had 2 women out of 32 members. The report submitted by the Committee on Sexual Harassment of Women in the Workplace had only 3 female members out of 31. The above mentioned are few examples only there many other committees which are constituted for women welfare but don’t include women in their formation.
Studies show that the involvement of women in Parliament contributes to more focus on women issues. The main reason for their requirement is to reduce inequality in society. The differences have to be reduced in the mainstream. Studies claim that of more women are part of policymaking more emphasis is laid on the quality of life and family, women. Behaviour towards women competitors are still greatly portrayed by deeply entrenched conceptions, and political opponents will often use those stereotypes to question women’s potentials. It enables women’s immediate engagement in public decision-making and is a means of assuring a better commitment to women.
Kofi Annan stated, “study after study has taught us, there is no tool for development more effective than the empowerment of women. No other policy is as likely to raise economic productivity or to reduce child and maternal mortality. No other policy is as sure to improve nutrition and promote health, including the prevention of HIV/AIDS. No other policy is as powerful in increasing the chances of education for the next generation.”
In a letter written by Jawaharlal Nehru to his Chief Ministers dating May 1952, said: “I have noticed with great regret how few women have been elected. I suppose this is so in the state assemblies and councils also. It is not a matter of showing favour to anyone or even injustice, but rather of doing something which is not conducive to the future growth of the country. I am quite sure our real growth will only come when women have a full chance to play their part in public life.”[3]
Over time many males have understood the requirement of women in politics. The remorse against women in politics is still very much active. They proceed to face structural, socioeconomic, institutional and cultural obstacles. Handling these deterrents requires exertion with regard to each factor of society whether it is government, common society, the media, the informed world, the private area, youth and men.
In 2017 according to the United Nations and Inter-Parliamentary Union Report India ranked 148th globally in the representation of women in Parliament. India can learn a lot from Kenya’s constitution where according to Article 2(78) the state has to take legislative and other methods to ensure that not more than two-thirds of same-gender occupies the seats which means every gender should not exceed more than the two-third ratio.[4] India should also pass its women reservation bill which has been pending for so many years.
India’s Women Reservation Bill
The bill was introduced in Parliament on September 12, 1996, by United Front Government, it failed to get the approval of house and was recommended to Joint Parliament Committee.
In 1998 NDA-I government reintroduced the bill but was rejected again simultaneously it was introduced in 1999, 2002 and 2003. UPA-I government in May 2008 introduced Women’s Reservation Bill in Lok Sabha and Legislative Assembly wasn’t passed.
On March 9th 2010 it was reintroduced and was passed in Rajya Sabha and not in Lok Sabha. It’s been more than 20 years since the bill was 1st introduced but till now it hasn’t been passed. Without the reservation, women’s representation will remain low.[5]
The bill proposes 33 per cent reservation of seats for women’s in Lok Sabha and all State Legislative.
If the present government tries it can pass the bill in Lok Sabha because it has majority.
The bill introduced in 1996 has been rejected on various occasions one of the main reason is that at that time many people didn’t support the idea and number of women’s was low and those women themselves didn’t support the idea by stating that it will hurt the dignity of women and that they are capable of getting elected themselves. So many years have passed and till now the percentage of women hasn’t reached 20 per cent. Last year in 2019 Lok Sabha praised itself because the participation of women reached 14 per cent which is the highest recorded in India.
- Women’s don’t receive party tickets easily from political parties. Even leading political parties are hesitant to give tickets even though they have high chances of winning polls. For example, 2019 elections of Lok Sabha BJP gave only 12 per cent of its tickets to women and Congress gave 13 per cent of its tickets to women whereas other small parties like Trinamool gave 37 per cent of its tickets and BJD gave 33 per cent of its tickets to women.[7] Majority of time women have to contest elections independently or from small parties.
- Women’s reservation topic in India is a bit confusing. It is confusing in the sense that although they don’t have any quota at the centre or state level but they are provided with a quota at a lower level.
Through the 73rd Constitutional amendment Act in 1992 33.3 per cent, the reservation was made for women’s in Panchayat. Which ensured women’s participation in governing at a lower level. The percentage has been increased to 50 in many states like Andhra Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Bihar etc. Even after reservation some women’s are used as a proxy by their male family members.
Reason for Bill not being Passed
The bill since it was introduced has been brought up for discussion various times but still has not been passed. Many parties do support the bill and many have pushed for the bill to be passed.
In 2017 BJP stated that it will try to get the bill passed this statement was criticised widely by many parties and activists. Now it’s 2020 and the bill is still pending. Which resulted in only three females made it to the Cabinet in the 2019 year and only 78 women won in Lok Sabha. Out of 543, only 78 seats were won by women’s. If the Women Reservation Bill had been passed, the Lok Sabha would have 179 women.
Many parties (like RJD, JDU, Samajwadi party) state that they want quota within quota which means they want reservation of seats for backward women’s within the reservation which is proposed. “Did Sonia Gandhi or Indira Gandhi require a reservation to come to Parliament?” JD(U) founder Sharad Yadav commented.
Another reason which I can think of is that male don’t want women to enter into politics. And want to dominate the area.
The question is BJP has majority and if it tries it can pass the bill.
Conclusion
In order to promote gender equality, it is important that equal rights are given to women’s. In many countries, the women’s had to fight for the right to vote and in 2015 only the whole world had universal suffrage.
Many studies show that if women’s actively take part in politics and become a member of Parliament or State Legislative implementation of rules and regulation is going to be stricter and only women can highlight or understand the issues faced by other women’s which will help in improving the laws made for women.
India has to pass the bill in order for women to become part of politics. The reasons given by politician or women’s themselves that bill is not required then if women had the opportunity then they would have now become part of politics and the difference between male and female would not have been high. They don’t have opportunities, they aren’t given tickets by the parties if the reservation is available then the parties will be compelled to give tickets. Many countries have made it compulsory so should India.
Male and female officials must cooperate so as to take care of the heap of issues in their nations. So as to meet overall advancement objectives and fabricate solid, manageable popular governments, ladies must be energized, enabled and upheld in getting solid political and network pioneers.
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