Suddenly there is a surge in the announcements of welfare schemes for women from almost all the existing governments (State as well as Centre) across India. State governments like Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Tamilnadu have lately announced many schemes for women keeping elections in mind. Recently, in a special parliament session held in the new parliament bhavan, the women’s reservation bill is passed with 2/3rd majority in Lok Sabha. Every party is trying to encash the success of this bill by taking the credit. It seems politicians are in a hurry to lure women voters before next elections in 2024. What has changed now? The 2019 general elections’ data says it all about growing power of women voters as 67.18% women casted their votes than 67.01% men.
The latest women centric bill which was passed recently, actually should have been passed long back. In 1996 the bill was first proposed by then PM Shri H D Devgowda as the 81st Constitutional Amendment Bill in the Parliament, which proposed to reserve 33% seats in Assemblies and Parliament. “Though the Reservation Bill was passed in the Rajya Sabha, it was referred to the joint select committee by the Lok Sabha. A number of political issues stalled the passage of the bill. During Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s regime also it was tabled but couldn’t be passed because of lack of numbers in the parliament. In 2010, the Singh cabinet approved the Bill and it was also passed in Rajya Sabha. However, it never came up in Lok Sabha and ultimately lapsed again after the Lower House was dissolved. Looking at the coming general elections 2024, it can be termed as the master stroke for the Modi government as gender equality card is expected to benefit NDA alliance immensely.
Numbers show the meagre women representation in the parliament (2023) – 15% of Lok Sabha MPs and 13% of Rajya Sabha whereas state assemblies (2023) having average 9% female members out of total assembly seats, trailing way behind developed countries of the world. BJD and TMC have respectively 42% and 39% female MPs in the Lok Sabha putting both the parties in the highest slots. Currently, only few female politicians can be seen in the highest political positions such as Draupadi Murmu, Mamta Banerjee, Sonia Gandhi, Nirmala Sitaraman, Smriti Irani, Anandi ben, Sushri Anusuiya Uikey, Dr. Najma Heptulla, Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan, Baby Rani Maurya, out of which only three are elected representatives.
Politics is the game of image, perception and projection and always revolves around vote bank politics. Policies are made on the basis of the power of voters and communities. True intent and determination to implement those policies are missing somewhere. 1971 election was fought and won by Mrs Indiara Gandhi with the theme and slogan “Garibi Hatao Desh Bachao”. After 52 years of this slogan, governments couldn’t control over the demon of poverty with 14.96% multidimensional poverty in 2023 (MPI as per Niti Ayog). Though, unofficial figures might be higher than this. All the political parties time to time use this card with all convenience without having an ounce of guilt. Likewise, many more slogans, themes are given by political parties in the past, proved to be empty words. Similarly, many people may have the reservation about the successful implementation of this bill.
Looking at the pathetic situation of female representation, it can be taken as first step ahead in the positive direction and will be proved as morale booster for the cause of gender equality. Although many glitches are in between to make it really happen. First and foremost is census is to be done to redefine the constituencies as per the new population numbers. Delimitation is another lengthy process. When it is going to happen is not still certain. Therefore, we have to wait for the implementation of this bill. Another question comes to our mind about the political intent, determination, and sincerity about the implementation of this bill, or it is just another election gimmick.
While tabling this bill in the parliament prime minister Modi ji termed it a tool to empower women. Will this really be a game changer for the cause of women empowerment? Ideally women politicians should be nurtured and groomed well in the political parties before contesting the elections so that they could efficiently handle any political responsibilities be it member of parliament or state assemblies or any ministerial responsibilities. Would political parties sincerely do that or women work as rubber stamps? These are serious questions before all the political class.
Some may criticised the timing of this bill as general elections are round the corner. Even though there may be political agenda behind the passing of the bill but a silver lining is that a long pending and much awaited bill has finally passed with the support of all the parties and is going to give more representation to our women in the legislature assemblies of centre and state. This would be proved a milestone for gender equality, and women empowerment in coming future. As it is said “The riskiest thing we can do is just maintain the status quo.” Therefore, by breaking the status quo, we can step forward towards transformation of lives.
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