Voices
We cannot ensure participation of women in politics unless they have access to basic fundamental rights. In order to sustain women’s political participation, we must value and follow the rule of law. We do not want women in democratic governance to replicate the criminal process. We want a new world.
-Savithri Goonesekara
Emeritus Prof. of Law, University of Colombo,
Sri Lanka
Discrimination is one of the major forms of violence. In the local government level, it is very difficult to make a distinction between discrimination and violence. If a woman who wants to vote in an election is not given the opportunity, it is a denial of her political right. Although one of the acts in India categorizes mental torture as a form of violence, the media highlights only physical violence as political violence.
-Prof Susheela Kaushik
President, Centre for Development Studies and Action
India
Even state agencies like police are not very positive towards women’s participation in Text Box: politics. However, amidst all these negative experiences, there is a lot of hope. Women are fighting against all hindrances to get into politics. In Bangladesh, after women were given the right to be elected directly in the local government election, they are no more interested in reserved seats; they fight for the general seats
-Dr. Zarina Rehman Khan
Professor, Dept of Public Administration
Bangladesh
If women can run her house she can run the parliament. Our mind set and even our democratic system is totally feudal and patriarchal. We excuse the mistakes made by male MPs but we judge those mistakes very critically in case of female MPs. Given an opportunity women can prove themselves to be far better than the men.
-Mr. Mohammad Tahseen
Executive Director, SAP-Pakistan
Sri Lanka
When women come into politics, they become very vulnerable. Character assassination is one of the main impediment because of which women may not inter into politics. And even if they inter, this is the main reason to drop out.
-Dr. Padma Ratnayake
Executive Director, SAP-SRI
Pakistan
Discriminatory practices are also a form of violence. When women come in meetings and other public affairs, the pressure they face and the obstacle they bear is so subtle that we overlook it and miss to recognize it as violence. Our policies and practices are not women friendly.
-Ms. Martha Farrell
Director, PRIA
India
In public affairs and meetings, most often, the chairperson or the moderator ask men to speak first; women speakers have to snatch the mike to get heard. Even the media is not very friendly towards women politicians. When women leaders are there, no media covers the news. Even if they cover, the section of women politicians is tampered with.
-Ms. Zakia Arshad
Manager Advocacy and Networking, SAP Pakistan
Pakistan
33% representation of women in parliament is a very encouraging factor. However, since most of them come from weak socio-economic background, their capacity development is pivotal. Giving responsibility to an individual that is beyond his/her capacity may bring a feeling of humiliation, ultimately resulting in psychological violence. Civil society needs to work on uniting and assisting CA members in developing their capacities.
-Mr. Narendra Joshi
Social Development Director, SAP Nepal
Nepal
Mental torture not only existed in pre or during election periods. Women are facing mental torture and psychological violence even after getting elected. They are in a position to hold responsibility but their existence and capacity is not getting the deserving value. They are not mentioned anywhere just because they are women politicians.
-Ms. Taleya Rehman
Founder and Executive Director, Democracy Watch
Bangladesh
