By itself, the decision of the United Progressive Alliance government to increase the reservation for women in all tiers of the panchayati raj system from one-third to at least half is a progressive step. But seen in the context of the government’s part-inability, part-unwillingness to push through one-third reservation for women in Parliament and State legislatures, this initiative loses much of its gloss. The success of 33 per cent reservation for women in the panchayats should have been reason enough to extend it to the elected bodies at the highest political level. However, in the face of strong opposition from several political parties, including supporters of the government, the UPA clearly lacks the political will to do the bold thing. The experience of States that already have at least 50 per cent reservation in panchayati tiers is that the local administration becomes more gender-sensitive and accessible. An increase in the number of women politicians at the grassroots level directly and indirectly leads to women’s empowerment in several fields. Greater participation of women in decision-making fortifies the overall democratic process, and makes the functioning of the elected bodies more meaningful.
The increase in reservation for women in panchayats is to be followed by a similar increase in urban local bodies. What is involved is an amendment of Article 243 of the Constitution, which provides for caste-wise and gender-wise reservation. As Members of Parliament have no direct stake at the lower levels of governance, and as States have powers to decide on the extent of reservation in local bodies, the amendment to facilitate 50 per cent reservation for women is unlikely to face any hurdle. Although major political parties such as the Congress, the Bharatiya Janata Party, and the Left have voiced support for the Women’s Reservation Bill, a small group of noisy diehard opponents have formed an impenetrable wall. The two major parties must accept a major share of the blame for the non-passage of the Bill. In the name of an elusive political consensus, the Congress and the BJP let matters drift, pretending virtuously to be for the big change but going along with the no-changers. This stance suits their MPs and MLAs, many of whom, quite hypocritically, have opposed the Bill in private while toeing the party line in public. The benefits of reservation in a profoundly inequitable society such as India’s are evident to all. The Manmohan Singh government has no excuses left for staying with the soft option and not mustering the political will and the parliamentary numbers to see the Women’s Reservation Bill through.
Comments:
I do not think that you are going far enough. We should also amend the constitution and remove the word democratic and insert the word "50% reserved for women republic". We should create laws so that 50% of newspapers, private business etc. should be owned and operated by women starting with The Hindu first. Our laws should state that 50% of the drivers on the road should be women. I am not against women but where is this policy of getting votes based on reservation going to end? Why are we dividing our society based on sex, caste, religion etc. Let's look at income, wealth, living conditions, health etc. as criteria for helping the needy. The 50% reservation for women will result in the wife's, girlfriends, mistress, and other female relatives and friends of current politicians taking over. Is that what we want. What is this policy based on? Is there any data to show that increasing the quota from 33% to 50% will increase the rights of women in this country?
This is a great step taken by UPA. Women empowerment is very necessary for overall development of the country. All political parties should shed their difference and vote for a cause
Its really a welcome move. Gender inequity has been a major hindrance on our path to overall development. With this move of the government, women who constitute almost 50% of population will be more encouraged to participate in the state mechanism of growth. One very good thing about involving more women is that it will pave way for their empowerment and at the same time reduce the amount of corruption in the system (which is a serious concern of Administrative system of India). At the same time the state should encourage more women below poverty level to participate so that the benefits reach the needed ones. We should also be careful that this 50% reservation is not misused, there are been instances were seats are occupied by women of higher class and caste who are controlled by their husband and thus again depriving the deserved. If this condition can be tided over then this reservation bill is for a prime cause of women empowerment and definitely the road to inclusive growth. With this ideology of good governance and people participation UPA government is doing a good job and no political party who supports India’s development can go against this bill.
Empowerment of women is possible only through their participation in the electoral process. This is a welcoming nod, but should be ensured that it serves the purpose.In general these reservations helps only the politicians and their great grand children.
Doesn't make sense. Why reservation? I mean... it's ok when people say, we give reservation to women because they were neglected by earlier generations. But, what does it mean to say "Empowerment of women is possible only through their participation in the electoral process"? Is the electoral process a tool for empowering women? How is having compulsorily 50% women in administrative posts better than allowing an unbiased and free way of electing leaders, irrespective of their gender? There is no way that women leaders lead to lesser corruption. Please understand. Women's empowerment is not the issue. The issue is the dedication and leadership skills of the people's representatives and beraucrats.
When are conditions in India going to change? When are we going to come out of this reservation system and be a state where all would be treated equally? Allotting quota to a one or other category considering that would uplift the country as a whole, is the biggest of all mistakes.