A movement seeking rightful place for women in democracy

Seventy-five years after independence, Indian democracy is still functioning at half its strength. Women, who make up more than half of the population, are virtually invisible in the country’s law-making arenas. The numbers tell the story clearly: the first Lok Sabha in 1952 had 5% women; Today, after more than seventy years, the representation rate has reached only around 15%. Three quarters of a century for a ten percentage point increase.

Thulya Prathinidhya Prasthanam, a women-led collective fighting for equal political representation, says this long-standing injustice must end. Their demands are direct: Political parties should field at least a third of women candidates in the upcoming Assembly elections, instead of waiting forever for the implementation of the Women’s Protection Act.

The president of the movement, Prof. “From the family to political parties and social institutions, it is deep-rooted male domination that keeps women out of political power,” says Kusumam Joseph. “If 52 per cent of the population remains a minority in legislatures for three quarters of a century, this is proof that India’s democracy is not healthy.”

Today, there are only 8.5% women in the Kerala Assembly. National figures are no better.

“A House of 128 men and 12 women, a Lok Sabha of 469 men and 74 women and a Rajya Sabha of only 39 women – if that is representation, then democracy is operating with half its strength,” says KM Rema, executive member of the movement.

Author and Kerala Sahitya Akademi president K. Satchidanandan calls this a democratic crisis. “Democracy can only become democracy when the invisible becomes visible and the unheard voices are heard. Among the invisible and unheard, there are the faces and voices of countless women. Ensuring representation proportional to the female population in all elected bodies is a fundamental democratic right,” she says. “This is also the path to stable and balanced development.”

By signing the landmark Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women in 1995, India committed to equal rights in political participation, including the right to be elected and be part of shaping government policy. “India has yet to take meaningful action to fulfill this promise,” the organization notes.

Even after the much infamous Women’s Reservation Act was passed, it took 27 years. It remains unimplemented and falls short of the requirements of any other law. “All political parties are united in keeping women out of power,” says Ms. Rema.

Neighboring countries have come ahead when women are in elected positions. Nepal has 33.1 percent, Sri Lanka 33 percent, China 26.5 percent, Pakistan 20.5 percent, Bangladesh 21 percent, and India only 13.6 percent.

“It is time for women to organize against this political injustice that continues even after 75 years of freedom,” says M. Sulfath, the organizer of the movement. “Political parties cannot wait for the law. They must be determined to ensure that women represent at least 33 percent in the next Assembly elections.”

The organization insists that equal representation is a constitutional right, not charity. “Political power is a women’s right guaranteed by the Constitution,” the group says. “Women, who make up half of the voters, deserve the seats they deserve. Parties must accept that the positions they hold are not privileges granted to women, but areas that women have as equal citizens.”

As the movement intensifies, its message becomes clear: Democracy cannot be whole unless women are equal legislators and have equal political power. Thulya Prathinidhya Prasthanam is holding its State meeting in Thrissur on Saturday to meet their demands.