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| Reserve seats for fair sex | | |
The just concluded election has elected 59 members in the 15th Lok Sabha which is over 10 per cent of the total strength of the House. It is the highest so far as in 13th Lok Sabha there were 49 women members against 46 in 2004 election. The 59 figure is quite small when we compare the female population of the country which is over 43 per cent. When the national scene is compared with the situation in Jammu and Kashmir one finds the clear glimpses of gender bias.In 2008 Assembly election in which three women were elected which means less than three per cent of the total strength of the House. If we account for the two nominated members the strength of the fair sex in the House is less than five per cent of the total strength of the House. The state has nearly 48 per cent of the women poulation and three to five per cent r epresentation in the Assembly is nothing but gender bias. For it both men and women are to be blamed. There are still vast areas in Jammu and Kashmir where women have to follow the advice of their menfolk as far as casting votes in favour of this or that candidate is concerned. It seems to be a world phenomenon. Take the example of last year's election in the United States. There are also not more than five to 10 women were elected to the Parliament. We have the example of British elections. Britain is considered to be the mother of parliamentary democracy and those women who get elected to the House of Commons can be counted on finger tips.It is not that women are not interested in politics and in election. They are but the menfolk do not encourage them, assist them and guide them. You have an instance of Panchayat election in Jammu and Kashmir where the Government had kept 33 per cent seats reserved for women to contest. But the last election that was held not many women were ready to fight the election. We have heard politicians talk loudly about women empowerment. Hitherto women empowerment has become a dream. To overcome this gender bias and denial of opportunities to women the Government should initiate constitutional measures which would provide at least 10 per cent seat reservation for women. Let there be over 10 per cent Lok Sabha constituencies and equal number in Assembly constituencies reserved for women. This could enhance women representation. If it is not done it would mean that the Government favours women for the hearth and men for the field.
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