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The Women's Reservation Bill And Empowerment
Sandeep Bansal
After nearly 15 years when the Woman's reservation bill was first discussed, it looks set to be passed in the Rajya Sabha. This is my second post on this issue. There were some broad questions that came to mind. I have tried to answer each of them in this post.
- Do we need reservation for women?
- Is reservation really needed at the highest level?
- Are reservations really going to make any difference?
- Do we need sub-quotas?
Do we need reservation for women?
Moreover how do we achieve it within the constraints that democracy poses us.China had a cultural revolution from 1966-78, which was imposed on the entire population and was not at all peaceful. In India, any acceptable change has to be brought in an extremely careful manner.
Therefore reservation is one way to empower women. Since 1993, 1/3rd of the seats in panchayats have been reserved for women. This has been referred to as "the greatest social experiment ever". Upon adding the numbers, there are more women elected representatives in India than the rest of the world.
Skeptics might argue that it is still the men who take most of the decisions and women are mere proxies. Most probably it is true. But at least it has brought some amount change in the general attitude of the people towards women. This has got them an entry point, something that would not have been possible without reservation. Changing the rural mindset is not easy. A young boy in a remote village grows watching his father ill-treat his mother. He begins view this as acceptable and is more likely to do the same when he grows up. With such a system in place, it would at least stop such outdated ideas from percolating to the next generation.
Today there are a large number of NGOs that are helping women sarpanches in performing their duties These sarpanches are slowly making their presence felt. They known to focus much more on basic issues like drinking water, sanitation and education. They are much more honest. Since then, the reservations for women have been increased to 50%. I would go on to suggest that this number should be further increased to 75-100% in areas such as Haryana and some part of Punjab where Gender ratios are extremely poor and female infanticide is prevalent.
Moreover, reservation is important because it has been observed that once the seat is dereserved, almost 40% of woman choose not to contest. India's poor record on HDI index can expect to receive a boost in the long run. A professor(with over 25 years of teaching experience) of mine was once discussing this issue. He recalled, how over all these years the psyche of female students changed. While female students of the 80's and 90's would be vocal and aggressive about their rights, the present day female students almost expect equality.As they say, this is how democracy works, slowly.
Is reservation really needed at the highest level?
Reservations at the bottom is needed to bring about social change but is it really needed at the top. Or should merit prevail as we should be more bothered about who is more qualified to lead the country?
India's biggest strength is its democracy and diversity. The idea of India is unique because of its unity in diversity. It has been a tradition in India since the very beginning to have representations of all communities and regions. So all Union Cabinets formed till date have ensured that all communities are well represented. With its abysmally low 10% of elected women representative doesn't goes well with its idea of World's Largest democracy.
"Ninety countries have some kind of quota..That's half the countries of the world. On one level you might have a political party adopting its own informal quota—in the UK —on the other level you can have a legislative quota. You can see combination of those in different countries." (Source)
One of the major reasons why women are so under-represented is because they have their family responsibilities. This has been well recognized by nearly half of the world and it is time that we also consider this option seriously. Let us not forget that even in the best and most admired companies in the world, the female representation in the boardrooms is extremely low despite good gender ratios at lower levels. The most important reason for this that is again the family responsibilities. In something as important as nation building, it is important to give women their due representation.
Are reservations really going to make any difference?
Reservations are not a panacea and mere reservation is not going to solve everything. Furthermore, just looking around at women politicians Most of them are from political families. Women Empowerment does not means election of such women from political families. In fact such reservations could reduce merit. Wives, daughters, mothers, daughters-in-laws of politicians could be running the show. Another option is that a certain tickets from political parties are reserved for women. The counter-argument given to this suggestion is that women shall be given only losing seats.
Another risk is that this reservation may extend to perpetuity. The caste based reservations introduced in 1950 were supposed to last only 10 years. They have been extended regularly. It is quite possible that the women reservation might take a similar course. Presently this reservation has been made for 15 years, but most probably it shall be there for a long time. In my opinion, there should be a clear road-map to gradually reduce the % of seats reserved for women to around 15%. This would make a balance between merit and social inclusion.
At this point of time, it is impossible to predict whether reservations can bring about any major difference.
Do we need sub-quotas?
Some of the parties like JD(U) and RJD are calling sub-quota for minorities and OBC's. Even though reservations are supposed to eliminate differences, they actually end up doing exactly the opposite. Caste based reservations are a classic example of the same. Reservations based on religion is therefore a dangerous territory.
However, this suggestion mustn't be rejected outright without examining whether there is a need for such a reservation. There is no doubt that women across all communities face numerous hurdles to rise. However, it is incorrect to assume that this is homogeneous across all communities.Women in some communities face much more hurdles than other because some communities are more orthodox than the others. The following statistics clearly indicate this.
So while women reservations bill will benefit the women in SC's and ST's, Muslims and OBC women are not likely to benefit much and their representation in Parliament is likely to remain low. For e.g., presently out of 543 members in Lok Sabha, there are only 3 Women Muslim members. If one tries to think of prominent active Women Muslim Politicians, the only name that comes to mind is Mehbooba Mufti. But even she comes from a Political family and she is more likely to take up issues on Kashmir rather the empowerment of Muslim Women.
Furthermore, reservations for OBC's and Muslim women is not easy because there aren't any seats reserved for these communities. Moreover, Muslim population is varies across the country and hence the formula cannot apply across all states. One possible solution is increasing number of seats in Rajya Sabha and nominating members from these communities. Another important thing is that with 33% reservation, the total reserved seats would go upto 48% (22.5%+33%-(22.5/3)). Any further increase to reservation would mean that less than 50% seats are available in the unreserved category.
While the real empowerment of Women can take place at the grassroots level, women leadership across all communities needs to be created at the highest level so that they can take up women issues. Therefore, I believe there is a need to examine the feasibility of sub-quotas within quotas.
Conclusion
There is an old adage, when you educate a man you educate an individual when you educate a woman you educate a whole family. However, reservation is an easy shortcut. Without proper backup steps, it is unlikely to make any significant impact.
Happy Woman's Day
The Women's Reservation Bill And Empowerment
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Bell Bajao
URL
March 7, 2010
07:48 AM
Wonderful and brilliant thoughts. I must say that reservation for women is a step forward towards better future. As you mentioned the success of reservation in panchayat's has helped, i'm pretty much sure that this step will also improve the situation.
We can't be sure if this will be a success or not ... but the hopes are only on the positive side as in last decade - many women have made India proud!
srikanth
March 7, 2010
09:02 AM
sandeep,
"There is an old adage, when you educate a man you educate an individual when you educate a woman you educate a whole family."
So, if a woman empowered whole family empowered, her husband can take decision instead of her, may be her son or daugter. Perhaps we don't need these kind of empwerment.
How about this, I can't elect the person whom i wanted to elect because of these reservations. That means i am deprived of the right that is very fundamental in democracy. Forget about our nethas who are men. Consider the people. they have to elect some one who they don't want, sometimes.
Reservations upto some level will be fine. But it should not cross the limits. And nobody opposing the women if they want to contest in election. There is no descrimination in politics. Women are treated something special in politics. Indeed, men afraid to face women politicians. Then why they need reservations?
Sandeep Bansal
URL
March 7, 2010
09:28 AM
Srikanth
I think u haven't read the article and u seem to merely commenting on the conclusion part.
First of all, I have clearly given examples of how even the best companies in the world have low levels of female representation in boardrooms.This is becoz they have family responsibilities. And moreover over 90 countries have some form of quota.
As far reservation is concerned, the reserved seats will be rotated. So the seats will be reserved only once every 3 election.
srikanth
March 7, 2010
11:05 AM
And men don't have family responsibilites, right? I read your article, my first point may be on the conclusion but remaining are not. Reservatoin for women exists in every elections may be the rotation system or lottery system used to decide constituency. But every time some people loss their democratic fundamental right.
Of course,Women are not representin in boardrooms of biggest companies aslo. Then what you are suggesting, a reservation in boardroom just like in sweden? Or what about electing only women for 20 or 30 years? Barring men from contesting? May be women will empower in India like nowhere.
Sandeep Bansal
URL
March 7, 2010
11:30 AM
Srikanth
"And men don't have family responsibilities, right?"
Thats a ridiculous argument. The concept of housewife is common but that of househusband is unheard of atleast in India. It is difficult for women to get that kind of support from families. They cannot devote as much time to public as men can. Don't the likes of Mayawati, Jayalalitha and Mamta, all are spinsters.
Why do you think that so many other countries have reservations for women? As far as reservation in boardrooms is concerned, no I am not suggesting that. Reservation in boardrooms is not as important as reservations in nation building.
srikanth
March 7, 2010
11:57 AM
sandeep,
"Thats a ridiculous argument."
may be in olden days. Not now. These days men are also sharing duties in the home, espicially if women also doing job. That's what i mean.
"Why do you think that so many other countries have reservations for women?"
I never said that. If you mean to say "why don't you think that so many other countries...", I bother about my country because i will be affected by the rules or system in my country.
"As far as reservation in boardrooms is concerned, no I am not suggesting that."
Somebody will definitely do that. It's not the end.
srikanth
March 7, 2010
12:10 PM
And please read your previous comment. You said, women are not representing boardrooms because of they have family responsibilities. For that i asked that to you. (men don't have family responsibilities,right?) Not the context you explained later.
Any women came to politics don't bother about household work. They have enough servents for that. Then how the marriage affect their carriers? Do you think all these women are wake-up early morning and prepare break fast for whole family and arrange luch box for their kids and husband and then come to parliament?
Sandeep Bansal
URL
March 7, 2010
12:48 PM
"I bother about my country"
There are 90 odd countries who have reservations. The ones that do not have are worse in terms gender inequality and HDI indexes. So is that just a co-incidence. A co-incidence that has occurred as many as 90 times.
"Any women came to politics don't bother about household work. They have enough servants for that."
That may b true for upper class women but not for lower class or rural women. And even in upper class, there is women seldom enjoy the same kind of freedom as men do. Many middle-class family do not send their girls to study outside the hometown. It is these obstacles that I am talking about.
Mamta, Jayalalitha and Maya....all remained single throughout their lives. Ofcourse you can criticize each of them, but you cannot ignore the fact that many few women have made it to the top, their number has been fewer for those without any political family background.
srikanth
March 7, 2010
01:15 PM
Sandeep,
What is the basis of this HDI and gender equality? If the motive behind these studies are promoting these kind of reservations then how they can be trusted? they are considering only number of women in good positions.
Japan have very less number of women representation in lower house compared to India. Nepal has better percentage than India. Does that mean japan is not developed or nepal is more developed?
If you go through the statistics, Nepal which is in 17th place having 197 women for 594 seats having 33.2%. which is higher than US and japan and India. So, women in japan are enjoying the gender equality better than america and japan. can we believe that?
Sumanth
March 7, 2010
03:56 PM
I belong to a men's rights group. In our internal discussions we have spoken about 50% representation to women and we have called for higher representation to women in higher judiciary.
It is due to integrity and a matter of principles than due to anger, guilt and a sense of revenge that women were discriminated for centuries.
The present bill denies 11 crore men the right to contest in election. So, if the Govt has such a comfortable majority, then it should redraft it to:
"Any political party, which does not give more than 30% reservation to women will be automatically derecognised and all its candidates will be disqualified".
They can do it even now and this will not damage democracy. Germany does exactly the same and each political party there gives 30% tickets to women in any election.
What they are doing now is a breach in integrity and mutilation of constitution and hence they will never be comfortable or confident out of this victory. When you win without integrity, it does not make you happy or successful.
If sandeep or ideologues in organisations like "bell bajao" think that oppressing males or denying males the civil rights or democratic rights will create a just society, then they are terribly mistaken. It will only lead to a bitter gender war.
Just the way, it is unethical to deny 50% of people their political representation, same way it is unethical to deny 50% of people their civil and democratic rights and impose fascism on them.
If this bill is passed, then fascism will make a mark in Indian history.
leela appaiah
URL
March 8, 2010
03:45 AM
33% women power give little weight may be instead of being proxies.
Sandeep Bansal
URL
March 8, 2010
04:39 AM
Srikanth
This is more of a cultural issue. As far as Japan is concerned, it was once had matriarchal societies, hence the sensitivities towards women exist. In our society, we call women as laxmis, but we also have widespread dowry. We are in general much more conservative society.
Reservation is not a complete solution. There is nothing like education and awareness. But these are much slower.
Take the case of Blacks in US. US got independence in 1776. The likes of George Washington and Jefferson talked about freedom but never gave it their slaves. After the civil war in 1860's slavery was banned. But this did not stop racial discrimination in US. Discrimination was profound in US as late as 1960's and 70's. Casius Clay became Mohammad Ali. We finally had a black president in 2009. That was 233 years after independence. But even today, there are more black teenagers in jails than in colleges.
The bottom line is that education and awareness are slow in making an impact because it takes more one generation to remove our prejudices. So either we have an option of waiting 200 more years or reservations. However, let me insist once again, reservations alone are not going to solve our problems, particularly if those women will the likes of Mayas.
Sumanth
I have mentioned this option of political parties reserving tickets. However, this may not work in India becoz it is feared that women will get only losing tickets. A simple example would be suppose BJP putting up only women candidates in the south. It hardly has any presence there.
Sumanth
March 8, 2010
07:30 AM
"However, this may not work in India becoz it is feared that women will get only losing tickets."
Sandeep, Govt policies must not be on the basis on fears.
If women were given losing tickets, then how come people elected 1 out of 12 women and 1 out of 15 male candidates in last elections?
11 crore men will be denied their right to contest elections and that is against democracy.
One can not manipulate democracy for so called social justice. Govt is already putting men in jail considering women's words as absolute truth.
There are massive civil rights violations. The courts have gone berserk and police extorts and puts innocents in jail.
What does the fucking Govt want?
A massive revolt?
Is not Congress satisfied with Punjab, Kashmir, LTTE and Maoists every where?
Who stopped Sonia from giving 100 seats to women last election? She has neither integrity nor courage. She is dancing to the tunes of her western agencies, UN and UNIFEM and doing everything to harm Indian family system. Has she even said a word about rising divorces and children's problems (as done by many political leaders in US and other countries)?
The suicide rate of men has increased steadily in last 16 years. Every 9 minutes a married man commits suicide. And this is celebrated as a glorious activity.
There is no respect in this country for human life, for law, for fairness, for integrity, for responsibility and civil liberties.
50 years have passed since anti-dowry law is enacted, even today there is no national toll free helpline.
This is height of hypocrisy. The feminists are funded by foreign agencies, who are afraid of losing funds, if all problems of women vanish overnight.
-----------------
All these politicians deserved to be in jails for their attack on democracy. They have no right to deny any citizen from contesting in elections, whatever may be the excuse.
There was one partition of country on the basis of religion, now another one third is to be partitioned on the basis of gender just because Sonia Maino failed to give 150 tickets to women in elections in 2008.
Sumanth
March 8, 2010
07:46 AM
Did Laloo, Mulayam or I stop Sonia Maino from giving all Rajya Sabha nominations (from Congress) to women?
Why did she wait 14 years?
So, Sonia does not want to take risks of annoying male MPs, but she wants you and me to take risks of having a mutilated constitution.
It proves Sonia is incompetent. What was she doing last 14 years?
Borna
URL
March 10, 2010
05:20 PM
"11 crore men will be denied right to contest elections"
how many of those 11 crore men exercise their right to vote ?
Juggling with numbers is easy, checking ground realities is hard.
I think using the term reservation is wrong, it is about representation. The same reason why different states have different number of seats in the parliament. The representation of women in parliament is not commensurate with the population. The bill may not be the ultimate solution, but is a good first step. India is a great democracy, in many ways it is much much more magnificent than great democracies like USA. It is time to teach teach the world another lesson in respecting and propagating democracy.
Sandeep, its a great article. Is there any place I can read the provisions of the bill in its entirety ?
Sumanth
March 10, 2010
11:55 PM
"India is a great democracy, in many ways it is much much more magnificent than great democracies like USA."
Yeah. Its a great democracy because:
1) 800 million live below $2 while a handful have billions of dollars.
2) 40 lacs (out of 68 lacs) are arrested every year for reasons, which are unjustified and unnecessary.
3) 8 Bills are passed in 18 minutes in parliament with no discussion.
4) Bills are passed to deny people the right to contest in elections.
5) 2 month old child applies for bail for some crime, which she did not commit.
5) It will take 350 years to dispose all pending cases.
6) People are killed in police stations or driven to suicide by police. Women raped in police stations.
================
Hail Great Democracy.
Fuck it.
India is a terrorist state. It sponsors terrorism against its own citizens.
===========
We did not celebrate August 15. We do not sing national anthem at any function.
We do not consider India as an independent democratic country.
===========
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/site/Story/57739/Unhappily+harried.html?complete=1
Desi Aadmi
URL
March 12, 2010
01:01 AM
--The representation of women in parliament is not commensurate with the population. The bill may not be the ultimate solution, but is a good first step--
There is no evidence to prove that "commensurate" representation would lead to better economic and social progress. It is just the direct offshoot of small minded ideology that fails in appreciation and negotiation out of the narrow group and gender identities. All the women oriented bills have been framed by chivalrous and powerful men.
The worst part of affirmative action is that it drives the capable and efficient to broad minded societies. So the society with the affirmative action fails miserably. India has always been a feminine society that favors human relations instead of perfomance. As such , this society in a long run would become inefficient and parochial.
Your opinion smacks of comedy capers
Sandeep Bansal
URL
March 12, 2010
02:20 AM
Desi Aadmi
"There is no evidence to prove that commensurate representation would lead to better economic and social progress."
-- So many people criticize Women's reservation but no one comes up with any other solution. Plzz don't come up with rhetoric's like more education and awareness. Reservation is nothing but positive discrimination. Read this then comment:
http://www.tehelka.com/story_main43.asp?filename=cr200210no_mad.asp
"India has always been a feminine society that favors human relations instead of performance."
--Feminine, really. Then why are their social evils like sati, dowry, female infanticide, burkha....the list goes on.
In my article, I have point by point reasons with supporting logic and data. You have merely said that you dont agree without any clear reason and logic. It is your opinion that is smacks of comedy capers.
aadesh
April 5, 2010
03:24 PM
in public offices, yes.
in corporate boardrooms, no.
sweden isnt a good example to follow in this regard.
sannu
July 25, 2010
01:01 PM
Hi, I really don't feel that there should be any kind of reservation in the parliament.
I know that women should get a better world to live but giving reservation is not the only key.
They should be well educated, there should be groups..working for their rights.
Parliament is the place that represents us. We elect people we like
U cannot make us to chooose from those which we don't wana to be our leader.............we are free to chooose our leaders, that's our fundamental right.
Reservation is not the only key.
Reservation in parliament will make our democracy much weaker just think how much risk we are going to take.
If you think opposite just tell me I will clear all your doubt or u clear mine.
Thankyou!
Sumanth
July 27, 2010
05:16 PM
"I know that women should get a better world to live...."
So, should men keep dying and live miserably to serve the women?
Titanic was a patriarchal male dominated ship. So, 75% women survived compared to 20% men.
Men need a better world, not women.....
Its time men realise where their ass is before it gets roasted fully....
Utpal Kumar
August 10, 2010
11:44 PM
After SC/ST reservation we have women reservation, next we need reservation for OBC and all those who are not represented in parliament. It is immaterial whether people belonging to these categories are capable or not. All these is for getting votes by undermining merit and banning people from general category from even standing for election. What a democracy.
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