Editorial
Two thirds of the poor people of the world live in South Asia amidst political corruption, criminalization, conflict and militarization in spite of having one of the world's largest democracies in the region. The South Asian countries have seen many elections - national and local in the past fifty years. The political system has given many forms of governments, democratic, socialist, military and monarchy but mostly without a clear-cut vision and directive for the development of minorities and the marginalized. With the result, the fate of marginalized and deprived groups such as women, Dalits, ethnic, tribal and religious and linguistic minorities in South Asia generally has remained untouched despite various political governance experiments.
The use of violence is also quite common, reflecting the existence of authoritarian tendencies across South Asian societies. As a result the marginalized and minority communities face exclusion and inequity. This has prevented the marginalized communities including women from participating in decision-making and political processes. Money, muscle and mafia being rooted in politics have promoted a ‘culture of violence’ alienating women specially professionals from actively participating in the politics. Despite of electing the world’s first woman President and subsequently electing many heads of the state, the region is therefore far behind the race of women's participation in political governance.
In Afghanistan, despite gains toward building a stable central government, a resurgent Taliban, continuing provincial instability and providing equitable and respectable space for women remain serious challenges. Peace and development along with status of women thus remained an issue to reckon with in this emerging democracy. Afghans are currently preparing for the upcoming Presidential election in 2009 and subsequent elections leading up to 2011. The reconstruction and development of Afghanistan requires the full participation of Afghan women in political, social, cultural, and economic life. Afghanistan’s Constitution guarantees non-discrimination and equality of women and men, reserves a 25% share of seats for women parliamentarians in the National Assembly. It pledges to promote educational programs and health care for women, and guarantees the rights of vulnerable women.
A general election was held in Bangladesh on 29 December 2008. Particularly for the women of Bangladesh, this election brought momentum for two reasons. Firstly, for the fist time in Bangladesh, the number of women voters exceeded the male voters. Secondly, 19 women, including the two top leaders Sheikh Hasina from Bangladesh Awami league and Khaleda Zia from Bangladesh Nationalist Party, contesting for 23 parliamentary seats won the election by defeating their male counterparts by huge number of votes. The parliament comprises 345 members, of which 300 members are chosen by the public while the other 45 reserved seats for females will be elected by the MPs. Now Bangladesh is preparing to hold polls to 45 parliament seats reserved for women on March 30. In 2004, Bangladesh's 8th parliament through 14th amendment to the constitution increased the number of seats reserved for women to 45. In present regime, besides a woman prime minister, important ministries like defense, foreign affairs, agriculture and labour are at the hands of women MPs.
In Nepal, the introduction of the proportional representation system in the Constituent Assembly (CA) election has successfully ensured 33% women representation in parliament. Nepal is on the historic phase of constitution building process. This is the critical phase and it needs to be discussed how women can contribute to the process of making a new constitution, ensure greater women’s representation and gender equality in politics and support the creation of an inclusive political environment in this crucial period of Nepal’s history.
General Election to its National Assembly held on 18 February 2008 were hailed as a triumph of democracy after eight years of military rule in Pakistan. Out of a total of 342 members, 74 have been women. A large number of women had turned out in the elections. In Sri Lanka however despite having highest literacy rate in South Asia, women are suffering more because ongoing political violence. India is ready for the next general elections drawing closer to elect a new federal government in India. India General Elections will be conducted in five phases, starting from April 16, 2009 to May 13, 2009.
With constitutional mandates for affirmative action, thousands of women are getting elected to institutions of local governance in all South Asian countries. Their performance in these public offices is beginning to change the discourse of electoral politics away from vote-banks, populism, religious and racial sectarianism to real issues of exclusion, deprivation and development. Given the entrenched nature of patriarchy in many societies and communities of South Asia, resistance to women's political leadership and empowerment is to be expected. Focusing on the issues of violence -in its myriad forms and sites, from the home to the streets and offices-against women in politics-provides a fundamental basis for addressing the agenda of deepening democracy in South Asia. The gender sensitive laws, policies and mechanism with affirmative actions only can create congenial environment to promote women’s safe, secure and qualitative participation at decision making level. Unless there is enough space for women to decide about their future the equality will not prevail in the society and state institutions, and justice will not triumph over gender discriminations.
