My Thoughts on the Women Reservation Bill: The Sad Reality on Ground

In 1986, I embarked on a journey to empower women across diverse strata - poor, low income, middle income, and higher income - across the vast landscapes of rural, tribal, and urban India. This endeavor led to the establishment of the International Centre for Entrepreneurship & Career Development (ICECD), a non-profit organization dedicated to spearheading small and micro-enterprise development. Our global footprint emphasized gender issues, resulting in thousands of women now proudly steering their own businesses, actively contributing to India's economic growth, all made possible through Enterprise Development and Capacity Building.

Moving ahead to 1992, a transformative moment unfolded with the passage of the 73rd amendment, reshaping the role of women in rural governance (Panchayati Raj). This amendment mandated the reservation of one-third of seats for women in village councils, catalyzing a substantial surge in women's involvement in local governance. From holding positions as Sarpanch (village head) to becoming integral members within the panchayats, it's disheartening to observe that even after 30 years, the majority of the reserved seats for women are puppets, with husbands running the office. The facts remain that villages are in a pathetic condition, including the status of women. However, it's been comprehended that although members have received training, it has not translated into effective performance.

A recent study conducted by the newspaper chain 'Divya Bhaskar' has shed light on a concerning issue. Out of the 34 AMC Corporators interviewed, the findings indicate that a significant number of them lack awareness of their responsibilities and are, in reality, being managed by their husbands in their roles. This underscores a prevailing issue where women in positions of authority still grapple with dependency on their male counterparts.

However, in spite of the reservations for women, the bureaucracy remained predominantly male-dominated, and Gandhi's vision of Gram Swaraj encountered resistance. Despite its transformative potential, reservations led to a complex interplay of power dynamics and unintended consequences, resulting in a lack of gender equality in practice. The infusion of funds into grassroots panchayats frequently faced bureaucratic obstacles, leading to corruption.

Well, our women leaders have certainly failed in village governance and yet we have not learned anything! After a span of 31 years, the critical question that arises is: Have we conducted a performance study of our women Panchayat leaders and members?

The recent introduction of the 33% women reservation bill for parliament raises questions and concerns. How can we gauge the contribution of women in society without adequate grooming and capacity building? It becomes imperative to scrutinize the reality of our Panchayati Raj women leaders and government women leaders, before even jumping to reserving 33% of the seats in the parliament.

Now, as we delve into the intricacies of the bill, a critical question still emerges: Does it carry a commitment to prepare these women for their roles? Many may lack the capability to fulfill their duties, especially tribal and rural women. Do comprehensive plans exist to equip them with the necessary knowledge, experience in the development field, and a profound understanding of the direct linkage with the people, especially the women of India? The effectiveness and efficiency of governance hinge on these crucial considerations, ensuring that the empowerment of women transcends mere representation, culminating in tangible and positive societal impacts.

This is a heartfelt appeal to our policymakers for a 33% reservation for women in parliament to ensure that women are not relegated to token roles, as only then can this reservation truly have a significant impact!