[india today]Opinion: The Maharashtra Model of Women’s Reservation

 The Women's Reservation Bill introduced in the Lok Sabha is a welcome development, and if passed by both the houses in the Special Parliament Session, it would unquestionably be a step in the right direction.

It is important to remember, however, that this is not the first time there has been an attempt to address this issue. Notably, in 2010, the UPA Government (now INDIA alliance) managed to secure the bill's passage in the Upper House of Parliament, marking a significant milestone. Personally, it is a matter of pride that it was Maharashtra that set the ball rolling by being the first state to have successfully adopted a comprehensive women's policy in 1994.

Following Sharad Pawar's tenure as the Defence Minister of India (1991-1993), wherein he successfully instituted an 11 per cent reservation for women in the Army, Naval and Airforce, during his fourth stint as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, he relinquished the home portfolio and took over the social welfare department, with the sole objective of transforming the Women's Bill into a reality in Maharashtra.

The bill provided for 33 per cent reservation for women among elected representatives in all local government bodies. His underlying philosophy that shaped the bill, developed with stakeholder consultation, was expressed by him: "If 50 per cent of the country's population was suppressed and kept out of the mainstream, how could we hope to stand up to the developed world where women walk shoulder to shoulder with men in every department of life?"

After engaging in no less than 21 rounds of meetings with academicians and activists, and inputs from elected representatives of all parties, eight meetings of the state cabinet, the bill was passed in a late session of the assembly.

On June 22, 1994, the policy document was officially released by Vice President KR Narayanan at a function held at Nehru Centre, Mumbai. This pivotal step in 1994 holds significant political relevance even today. It helped tackle the initial inertia and resistance in the political class against the reservation. This achievement was accomplished through bold and unwavering policy implementation and also serves as a functional and efficient model for the rest of the country to witness.

The undeniable significance of the Women's Reservation Bill arises from the Constitution's promise of gender equality and affirmative action. Despite these constitutional guarantees, women have not fully enjoyed the advantages of welfare initiatives. The high rate of crimes against women, discrimination, unequal pay, feminisation of the unorganised sector, skewed sex-ratios and lack of financial independence are still issues that plague the length and breadth of this country.

As recorded by activist Tara Krishnaswamy, it is observed that a sexist landscape continues to hinder women's progress in the political sphere with an imposed false notion suggesting that women lack political interest and acumen to justify their low participation. But, in reality, they face a mountain of obstacles when attempting to contest elections.

These range from familial disapproval to a lack of support from political parties, making it extremely difficult for them to engage in politics. Thus, to level the playing field and bridge this gap, this bill is crucial.

In rural areas, where gender segregation is visible, women have been observed to prefer to approach a female-elected representative with their grievances, rather than seeking assistance from a male representative, simply due to the way rural Indian society is structured.

Therefore, to provide political representation is the first step in addressing their grievances, which would remain unheard if not supported by the system. Another aspect highlighted by my dear friend Kanimozhi Karunanidhi in her essay, "Gendering Parliament", in a patriarchal society that India largely is, to truly establish equality in India, we must address the dual disadvantages faced by women, ensuring they have a fair chance to contribute to Indian politics.

Thus, implementing Women's Reservation becomes not only a matter of justice but also a step toward a more inclusive democracy.

The nail in the coffin is when we look at the current 17th Lok Sabha, which boasts the highest number of women parliamentarians ever, while actually translating to a mere 14 per cent of the total seats in the lower house.

This is evidence enough for the need to actively provide spaces for women to engage and join the political space. Perhaps more succinctly put forth by Ruth Bader Ginsburg, "Women belong in all places where decisions are being made. It shouldn't be that women are the exception."

(Supriya Sule is the Working President of the Nationalist Congress Party and currently a Member of Parliament - Baramati Lok Sabha Constituency, Maharashtra.)

(Views expressed in this opinion piece are that of the author.)