Unequal Republic

Political parties make promises of equal represention to women, but patriarchy continues to dominate electoral democracy

- Md Asghar Khan and Kaveri Mishra

‘WOMEN candidates in record numbers in Jharkhand this time’, ‘Women march ahead of men in Jharkhand election’, ‘The BJP has given women the maximum number of seats in Jharkhand...’ These headlines, which appear frequently on national news portals, may make you believe that women and men are being treated equally in Jharkhand’s political arena for the first time this election season. However, when the figures are analysed, it is clear that this is far from true. Women candidates make up only 11 per cent—128 compared to the figure of 1,081 male candidates—which only goes to show that the promises of equal representation and women’s empowerment that parties across the political spectrum hold out are false. Patriarchy still continues to dominate democracy.

Well-known tribal intellectual Rose Kerketta expressed her views on the question of women’s representation in politics: “Democracy and elections have become the playground for men, and they love to play the way they want. They are still working on preventing women from participating in politics because if they come forward, democracy will not only become non-violent but will also achieve its true purpose and dignity.”

Last year, the Central government approved a bill to reserve 33 per cent seats for women in Parliament and in the state assemblies. It was believed that in the wake of this bill, political parties in the states where assembly elections were held would implement the 33 per cent formula in ticket distribution.