Importance
Although in some countries of South Asia due to civil society pressure and sustained demand the respective governments have changed or are changing environment conducive for women’s participation and representation in political structures yet the road to a reasonable level of women’s involvement in all these major spheres of society and politics is still long and difficult.
However, in most of the South Asian countries, there is a growing realization for affirmative action to encourage women participation in governance systems of these countries. Reservation/quotas for women are being recognized as one of the major affirmative actions in this regard. With the exception of Sri Lanka, reserve seats for women have been adopted in all the other South Asian countries at different levels of government. Such affirmative treatments towards women have contributed to an increase in the representation of women in their governance structure. Despite some fallout of women representation at local government level, various positive effects are also evident. Several other affirmative actions are needed to enhance the quality and quantum of women’s participation in local government in South Asia.
Moreover the challenge is to improve the quality of women participation in different tiers of government so as to make a strong case for their better and greater role in governance in future. Combating violence against women in politics due to continuity of traditional sociocultural values in the region need to be systematically addressed. For this, government and civil society both have to work together to improve the skills, knowledge, information level and confidence among these women representatives at different levels of government.
Promoting accountability and transparency within systems will also benefit women’s qualitative participation and will enhance their confidence on systems. Similarly women in authority positions e.g. chief of the local council or head of the government functionary body will also enhance her role in the political decisions and government functions.
Notwithstanding multiple challenges, barriers and blocking forces that these women representatives, leaders and activists face in these systems they are truly aspiring to be future political leaders offering solutions and alternatives to their communities and society.
The problems facing women representatives in different tiers of governance (especially local government) range from lack of knowledge regarding their roles and responsibilities and functions, lack of initiatives to acquire such knowledge, lack of education and organizing capacities, lack of mobility and access to resources and above all lack of democratic and operational space and options to function properly. One analysis done in the South Asian countries shows that in the countries like Bangladesh and India an enhancement in their political credibility, self-respect and independent thinking, in Nepal, an increase in number of women voters, greater awareness of fundamental rights and willingness to participate in politics and in Pakistan increase in experience and awareness among women representation and greater acceptance of women’s role in public are some of the positive outcomes of the affirmative policies adopted towards women. Moreover women representatives are taking up women’s issues and women’s rights and challenges more actively in all the countries in the region.
SAP-International being a regional organization with a wide range of membership of national organizations, links with community groups and their networks, civil society organizations, social movements, livelihood struggles is already working towards strengthening women’s role in politics and policy. The three-year program under the title of ‘South Asia Regional People and Policy Program (SARPPP) has already laid foundation for an active and informed participation of women and other marginalized sections of the society. Moreover the 23 year work of national SAPs (in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka) has established credibility, linkages and essential experience for these SAPs to deal with this daunting challenge. The peculiar role of SAP system in mobilizing communities, organizing marginalized groups, developing their capacity to plan, manage and community development, advocating on behalf of poor and marginalized are all essential ingredients required for a long-term but strategic intervention in this area.
