women in politics gender studies notes
Believing that women cover half the sky, do you think we need equal no of women in the public domain, especially in politics?
Outline
1. Introduction
2. Why
there should be equal no of women in the public domain
3. Critical
analysis
4. Conclusion
Introduction: Equality, a consistent
demand of feminists
Equality in the socio-political sphere has been a consistent demand of feminists
since the late 18th century. The perpetual marginalization,
ghettoization, and the nature of issues of women demand separate and equal representation
of women in public domains, especially in politics. In this way, inclusive
development can be ensured.
Why there should be equal no of women
in the public domain, especially in politics
i.
Development
without the inclusion of women increases their ghettoization and marginalization:
In a report published by
World Bank, it has expressed consensus over ignoring the gendered aspect of
development. The World Bank says:
“If development is not
gendered, it is engendered.”
(World Bank)
ii.
It
is in line with women’s demand for universalism and WID:
1920s
demand (1st wave)
Equity
Civil
rights 1970s
Universalism
WID
The concept of women
empowerment started with Equity in the 1920s and reached universalism leading to the women in the development approach. Hence, equal no of women will ensure
universalism and incorporate women in the development perspective.
iii.
It
will fulfill the dream of women's autonomy:
Autonomy vs integration
has been the heart of gendered discourse. However, equal no for women will lead
to complete autonomy for women.
Illustration:
Autonomy
 |
Women quota Preferential policies More representation
iv.
It
will address intersectionality:
The women's issues are inherently
intersectional in nature. Hence, an increasing the proportion of women leads to more
representation of women from marginalized regions. Hence, it will address the
issue of intersectionality.
Illustration:
Ø More
access to resources for women in marginalized areas.
Ø Improvement
in literacy, health, etc.
v.
Materialization
of equity through equality:
The equal no of women
will not only ensure a long-standing dream of women's equality but also achieve
equity in resolving the issues of women. In this way, the socio-economic
conditions of women can be improved.
vi.
Formation
of pro-women policies:
Women know their problems
better than men. Hence, equal representation will lead to the emergence of more
women in leadership. It will lead to the formation of pro-women policies in
the world. The pro-women policies will in return lead to the socio-economic uplift
of women.
vii.
Completion
of the universalism of women:
The demand for universalism calls for
the removal of gendered disparities in the socio-economic sphere. It calls for
attention to the unpaid domestic labor of women. It also calls for the same extent
of freedom for women as well as demand an end to women's objectification.
Illustration:
Ø Equal
wage of women as that of men.
Ø Same
freedom as that of men.
Ø Right
of abortion to be given to women.
Ø No
objectification of women.
viii.
Mitigation
of patriarchal culture:
Equality of women in the socio-political
sphere will mitigate the patriarchal culture. It will espouse a culture of
empowered womanhood with equity.
Critical Analysis
Equality in numbers for women
appears an inclusive idea on paper. However, owing to deeply entrenched poverty
and the structural nature of inequalities, only a certain percentage of women's quota
is viable. The world has not yet materialized the dream of universalism but the women in development approach have opened many avenues for the gendered development
of women.
Conclusion
To sum up, equity with
equality is the only solution to empowering women with autonomy. It has not
been fully achieved yet but the WID approach has given direction towards it.
Comments
Post a Comment
If you have any doubts, Please let me know.