South Asian women and decision making
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The dawn of a new year usually brings about new resolve, enhanced purpose, renewed energy and new opportunities. My New Year dawned with a smattering of all of these things, particularly the latter: an opportunity to shape, enhance and further the cultural arts of our South Asian Region, in the form of the Deputy Director for SAARC Culture.
This foray directly into the world of South Asian culture and arts had me pondering the role of our South Asian sisters, not only in the sphere of the Arts, but overall and particularly in the area of decision making and if – in fact – the trials, tribulations, successes and victories that unite our actual region in other ways, truly affects our South Asian female population in the act of making a difference.
An interesting read in a blog about SAARC and Women’s Issues, says “South Asia is a region where women have ruled as Head of state; as Prime Minister and as President. South Asia is second only to Scandinavia in having had more women heads of government than any other region in the world. Women leaders are well empowered both in the government and in major opposition parties in South Asian countries, namely, Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh. Analysing the background of the most powerful women leaders of South Asia; most of them are from political families; either they are daughter or wife of a male political leader. Sadly however, even as a Prime Minister or President of their respective countries, their performance has been similar to their male counterparts: That they were unable to increase the participation of women in the politics; especially at the decision making level…”
The importance and participation of people in the decision making process has been emphasised time and again in the SAARC Region Universal Declaration on Human Rights 1948. It also mentions the importance of raising the social, economic and political status of women for sustainable development and good governance in the country. Participation of women at the decision making level is necessary for the overall development of women. It is vital. Democracy is possible through women’s participation at decision making level. In addition, political participation is a cornerstone to increase the proportionate representation of women at the decision making level. Representation in the government and in political decision making positions increases a women’s access to information and resources; which in turn can increase control over resources too.
It is sometimes thought that even though Constitutions of South Asian countries provided equal rights to men and women, gender discrimination has remained unchanged and has not diminished. There are even various laws that are still discriminatory. This all reiterates that there is very low participation of women at the decision making level in South Asia. In our own Sri Lanka, women hardly play any part in the important decisions that are passed in Parliament. As pointed out in “My Experience of Independence” in March 2016, “…There is less than five percent representation of women at present in Parliament. This is very telling about our democracy and the place of women in it. Particularly in a country which boasts the first female Prime Minister in the world, this was a most devastating realisation…”.
How can women’s matters and women’s issues be argued and solved effectively, if there are not enough women representatives to fight the good fight, and to present and highlight the specific and unique factors that need to be taken into consideration, in order to arrive at a satisfactory resolution, which actually benefits the women in question? Even in different spheres, such as marketing and production of consumer goods, I have often heard of male dominant production meetings, sometimes with only a couple of token females present, where the product under discussion is to do with women’s undergarments, toiletries or worse, feminine hygiene products…It seems almost laughable, but the fact remains that unless and until women see themselves as needing to be involved in things that directly affect them, it will not happen.
To add to this misery, even if there were a desire to be involved at the very significant level which actually makes a difference, there are other issues that need to be surmounted first – particularly in relation to South Asia, which makes their participation low in almost every sector. As stated in ‘SAARC and Women’s Issues’ factors such as ‘Low political awareness, the Patriarchal social structure, Violence against women, Religious Fundamentalism, Militarism, Armed Conflict, Lack of access to resources, Rampant Poverty, Illiteracy or lack of education, Lack of access to information and technology, Lack of capacity building programmes, lack of commitment by political leaders; Difficult to continue in politics/government after marriage, Generation Gap among officers and leaders, Work load, Lack of gender sensitive constitution, policies and programmes of political parties, Lack of coordination among women political leaders can also contribute to their vulnerability and lack of forwardness.
So, how does one combat this? According to a paper written over a decade ago, positive action should be seriously considered in order to increase women’s participation and empowerment in the region. Something we need to consider very seriously of course, is Proportionate Representation of women in all sectors including politics. It is almost vital to increase the number of women in the Parliament, political parties and local government. Proportional representation is the ultimate goal. In view of that, affirmative action needs to be taken to increase the participation of women in politics; Enhance cooperation and support to female political figures, with maternity provisions; Capacity building programmes for increased knowledge and skill; Amendment of the Constitution and Laws where necessary to provide justice to women; Increased opportunities for Employment; Constitution, policies and programmes of the political parties should be ‘female friendly’; Action campaigns to end violence against women from South Asia; a more inclusive approach should be formulated for female youth; Women’s unity among the South Asian countries to fight against women’s discriminatory laws; rooting out Patriarchal structures; educating the Girl child; Equalising the Wage Gap; Economic sustainability programmes for women – the list is endless.
Ultimately, since women make up half the population of the world, every big decision made in every governing body, affects half the population. Unless and until we get actively involved and at least attempt to partake in that process, we cannot complain about the outcome it brings. By the same token, it is essential that the system allows women to be involved in making these important decisions which directly affect them. Is that not the best way for us women to ensure that the ultimate result is fair, equal and has the best probability of working for us – especially taking into account the idiosyncrasies and particularities of the South Asian Woman?
So let’s start today, with this New Year. May it be filled with exciting new beginnings, affirmative action, strength of resolve and promises fulfilled – may this year be your most rewarding, involved and decisive one yet!
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Please email: KJWVoiceforWomen@gmail.com