Features

Do women in politics actually empower other women?

15 Nov 2013 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

We have always heard how important it is to have female representation in politics. Having given the world its first female prime minister, we have perhaps initiated a path for women in politics much earlier than others.

We have had several female Members of Parliament (MPs) and continue to do so but the question that remains is whether having women in politics and in key state positions has helped women on the whole.

Asian woman
In Asia and particularly in South Asia women entering politics or politically powerful leadership roles is often equated with men in power. Gender roles do not really come into play and consequently, the women elected are not always expected to let the benefits of having gender-based politics trickle down.

Even though Indira Gandhi was the all-powerful Prime Minister of India for a long time, her era did not particularly uplift the standard of women there. Today, although Sonia Gandhi overlooks the Congress dynasty, things don’t seem to have improved for Indian women with accusations of rape and other acts of gender discrimination taking place regularly.

According to IPU statistics, Rwanda has the highest number of female representation in parliament – with well over 30 percent. Sweden fairs well with women occupying 156 out of 349 seats in parliament.

Sri Lanka is at the bottom of the list but our topic at hand today is not why the numbers are lacking for women engaged in politics but whether having them there, whether in small or big numbers, help other women.

Women are still struggling with areas they have been traditionally associated with, no matter how empowered we like to think we have become since burn the bra days. Ask the most powerful chief executive officer (CEO) and she will tell you she still has to ensure the kids are taken care of, the home looked after and the chores done.
She may not do it in person but unlike in the case of a man, she has to ensure a certain degree of supervision. I don’t believe that any one of those power women, married with children, can walk out of the house every morning without taking check of the household status.

That applies to the very top and to the very bottom, albeit at different levels. So, we all know that better child care facilities would help. Can we expect women engaged in legislative issues to understand this central fact and maybe get something done about it? Not really.

Eve-teasing menace
Eve-teasing, to use the decent term, is rampant in our public transport systems. The other day, in response to Gender Talk, one gentleman sent me an e-mail hoping that I would raise the issue in this column sometime. Young and old, women are harassed sexually in unbelievable ways every day by men who nurture sick fantasies.
Most keep silent, suffering but some opt to hit out at the culprits. To the credit of most men, once such a sicko is identified, the commuters take it upon themselves to deal with him.

We could have lobbied for better treatment of women in public transport and maybe ask for women only buses or women only compartments in trains. Having women MPs bristling about the power corridors haven’t helped Sri Lankan women deal effectively with this menace, it seems.

Domestic violence is a key issue that still is somewhat swept under the carpet. Although women-centred desks are installed at police stations and abused women can expect a fair hearing from the law enforcement officers, there are still hundreds of women who dare not walk out of an abusive marriage for fear of being ostracized by society and the family at large.

Is there more to be done by women in legislature concerning such women – yes there is. We could have more shelters and half way houses for such victims and develop a system where they can move back into society without being trapped in violent circumstances.

We have a great majority of women toiling away in the Middle East, often suffering at the hands of their masters. Some are sent home disabled and abused while others face torture and virtual imprisonment. Are we doing enough for such women?

Is there more than can be done to engage and empower the families they leave behind, where family lines can become blurred and often, with alcoholic fathers abusing their own daughters? Yes there is. In fact, there is plenty to be done.

Sexual objects
We may not have child brides and gang rapes on the same scale as Yemen and India but we have a society that calls women by derogatory terms. There are otherwise decent men who will not hesitate to call a woman ‘baduwa’ or ‘kalle’ (piece).

They forget that they have a mother, a wife, a daughter or a sister who can also be addressed using the same term. Of course, there are decent men out there too but every time someone uses that term to address a woman, I personally believe he is insulting his own mother.

Can our women MPs help such men change their viewpoint of women as sexual objects – yes they can. They can develop mechanisms and programmes that will help such men change their perceptions that often arise out of some inadequacy in their lives. Of course, the list goes on and on but for want of space, let’s stick to some of the basic issues here.

In conclusion, until and unless they move in a manner that can utilize measurable, actual and hands-on activations that can have a direct impact on women in society, having women in greater or lesser numbers in legislature really does not help as far as women are concerned.

(Nayomini Weerasooriya, a senior journalist, writer and a PR professional, can be contacted at [email protected])

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Do women in politics actually empower other women?

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