numbers speak Unequal share of fair sex in Assembly

 

 

 

 

Women voters turn out is achieving new heights in the State. Moreover, all parties here are taking credit to push and support the Women’s Reservation Bill in the Lok Sabha despite all this tall claims and blames, it is not translating in to representation in the State Assembly. But their representation is far from achieving the one third mark. In view of active participation of women on ballot paper, Congress and BJP has tried their best to woo women voters along with tribals to come into the power in this assembly elections. But, none of the major parties in the State displayed liberal approach to give a equal share to the fair sex. With 2.67 crore women voters, it constitutes 48.36 per cent of the total 5.52 crore voters. But they are under-represented in politics. According to the Election Commission data, there is a steady increase in the turnout of women voters over the decades. It has increased from 29.01% in 1962 to a record high of 74.01% in 2018. Only 21 women were elected to the 230-member legislature in the last assembly election. In this election, around 58 women candidates are in the fray.

 

BJP has given tickets to 28 women while Congress to 30 till now which is far from Women Reservation Bill’s criteria although the law will be enacted only after delimitation but it presents a glimpse and zeal of prominent political parties towards women candidates. After the acceptance of resignation of former Deputy Collector Nisha Bangare after much drama in the State capital, now there are reports that she will be fielded from Amla constituency on Congress ticket or may contest as an independent candidate. With this the total number of women candidates from Congress will become 31. Even if she gets a ticket the number will be too low to touch the level of 33 per cent (76 seats should be reserved in 230-member Houses). Talking to ‘The Hitavada’, Congress MLA Vijaylaxmi Sadho said “UPA-I government led by Congress, again introduced the bill to reserve seats for women in Lok Sabha and Legislative Assemblies in May 2008. Then Congress government had taken several measures to empower women in the State.

 

Social activist Ruby Chouhan from Jhabua spoke to ‘The Hitavada’ about the issue and expressed deep regret and said “the percentage of women MLAs in the State is increasing at snail’s pace. Women face a number of challenges that affect their ability to participate in political life and become political leaders and even they are lagging behind from getting party tickets. Many grassroots women leaders have demonstrated their leadership and brought about visible change in their communities.” A good legislature is truly and meaningfully ‘representative’. It must include diverse voices, especially of those who were marginalised earlier. This implies greater presence and participation by women in Parliament, she added.