Issues

The matter of fact is that women rank very low in the social and political scene in the countries of South Asia. Although their struggle to get equal share in socio-political and economic spheres is now quite old yet their legitimate demand is not met properly. Although in some countries constitutional and legal provisions have been made to ensure equal status of all citizens, representation of women in all these countries in all levels of politics and state affairs is still dismally low. However, the existing socio cultural realities restrict mobility and hinder women participation in active politics.

 

Representation of women at national level ranges between 20.3% in Pakistan to 2% in Bangladesh; at state / provincial level from 16.9% in Pakistan, to 3.2% in Sri Lanka; and at the local level, the representation of women in Bangladesh, India and Pakistan is 23.31%, 25.97% and 30.12 % respectively, while representation in Nepal and Sri Lanka is 8.5 and 1.97 % respectively. Representation of women in Nepal’s lower house of representatives was 5.89% in 1999. In Sri Lanka, women members of parliament constitute only 4.44% of the total number of representatives.

 

The key factors that hinder women’s active participation in governance and decision-making process are:

i. Social and cultural norms which patriarchal systems and consequent male domination in all spheres of society and politics
ii. Nature of politics and political environment which is marred with politics of hoodlums, slandering, violence, corruption and power games thus restrict women spaces in politics and democratic institutions
iii. Inferior economic status of women within family that deny their access and control over resources thus lead to their dependency on male members of their family, clan or society.
iv. Growing religious fundamentalism and ethnic conflicts also impact on progressive and free participation of women in social and political spaces.
v.  Low literacy and unequal access to education
vi. Lack of political will for promoting inclusive governance processes
vii. Lack of support systems which could help, guide and support women in politics and governance positions.
 
All these factors and more are the reasons of restricting options and spaces for women to play and constructive and active role in the politics from national to local levels.