Bad politics or gender inequality?

BHARATI PAWASKAR

With dates for the forthcoming Loksabha elections being declared, the churning in the state constituencies has begun and possible faces possessing the potential to be a candidate are being shortlisted. However something is missing in the entire election process as far as the State of Goa is concerned. In a state where 50 per cent of the voters being women, there seem to be few among them who are keen on contesting the elections. What could be the reason for women not stepping forward to contest and be content with their role as mere voters?   

Goa talks of freedom in all aspects, and is less gender biased compared to other parts of the country. With the kind of power and liberty that women enjoy in decision-making here, the scenario should have been different, but it is a fact that women extend their support to their favourite parties or candidates of their choice, but are not willing to contest themselves.   

Social activist Dr Purnima Usgaonkar, proprietor, Usgaonkar Children’s Hospital, Ponda is of the opinion that to be active in politics is not everyone’s cup of tea. “There is no motivation for the women from within. But they are not to be blamed because they already are juggling on multiple fronts. The responsibility of home, family and their professional work takes most of their time. They are seen sacrificing their own ‘me time’ for others. Apart from being a diplomat, politics has too many demands - time, talent, money and support from the home front - which most may not have. Those in politics must have a steady source of income to fall back upon. Without all this/ it is not possible to think of contesting elections,” states Dr Purnima.  

Sarita Chauhan, an award winning chef from Margao admits declining offers by various parties to enter into politics as she thinks that politics is a dirty game and women are unable to handle it for various reasons. Sarita comments, “Instead of stepping into leadership, women are okay in supporting men who contest as they lag behind in competing with men when it comes to corruption, bribing or looting. Women who dare to contest the election and win often do not get support in day-to-day activities. Politics is not my cup of tea.”  

Psychiatrist and veteran actor Dr Meenacshi Martins is of the opinion that honest persons cannot make it big in politics as it requires thick skin to be a politician. She observes, “You have to step on other’s feet, undermine others to sustain in politics. This is typical psychopathic or sociopathic personality. Very few women have that kind of personality. It is seen in Goa that most women who contest on panchayat level are often shadows of their father, son, husband or father-in-law who handle their work once they get elected. Women are better policy makers and can think of the betterment of the society but to have cleaner politicians, one has to have a cleaner society first and that’s not going to happen so soon.”   

For Sabina Martins, founding member of Bailancho Saad, a women’s collective from Goa, it is a clear indicator of gender inequality in the state. “The current political scenario is intimidating for any sincere woman to get into it, as it is the money and muscle power that rules. Character assassination holds women back from entering into politics. Attending meetings requires time outside home which is quite hectic for a woman who shares home responsibilities as well,” points out Sabina.   

Since elections are a recurring process, getting elected once is not enough. One has to work consistently to keep up to the expectations of the people. It’s a full time job in itself. One cannot do justice to job or profession, once you enter into politics. And even if you get elected and work for five years, there is no guarantee that you will win again. Suppose you lose, and go back to where you came from, and embrace your earlier life, will your earlier source of income still be there to support you? These are the questions that loom and hold back a woman from becoming an elected representative.   

Lawyer and human rights activist Albertina Almeida feels that the scenario will not improve unless the stereotypes of what women are or should be, is not broken. “It is a patriarchal system and there is a tendency to malign the female sexuality which puts a woman off from entering into political field. And even voters find it convenient to choose a male contestant over a female one, thinking he would seemingly be a better option. Women are not spared of household responsibility. Their family does not accept spending more time outside home or mingling with other men,” shares Albertina.   

Women and child rights activist Auda Viegas feels it is the psyche of the society that makes path difficult for a woman. “Not only the voters find male candidates superior to female ones, but even women too prefer helping the men to contest the elections as they lack the type of clout that is required - manpower, muscle power and money power. There is no fair play. Also, one has to be the henchmen of some politician to get a ticket and upright women cannot opt to be that. It’s true that a woman has the capacity to change the society, but it’s her vulnerability that makes her shy away from being the leader. Bad politics is played, when she contests and stories are made of her. All kind of character assassination is done, she is singled out and even her own family doesn’t support her.”   

The world may boast of gender equality and freedom of expression but when it comes to giving women the right to rule, not only men but also women are reluctant. An old comment of the ex-chief minister of Goa sums it up - It is easy to give a woman a ticket but getting her elected is a challenge. In Goa, people want their MLAs to serve them at any odd hours, and for women it becomes difficult to take calls or rush to the spot to solve some issue - it will take another decade for women to make a mark in politics.