Women and Democracy

Building Bridges for Equality – Mediating for Human Rights of Women
When we affirm our rights, we should do it ourselves not through the proxy of a male. If women have the power to affirm their will, and if women can articulate their individual rights clearly, then women would not be under the shadow of de-facto male relations……..
This is an attempt to review the bases of women’s historic exclusion from development processes and outcomes, and identify internal and external factors and conditions that hinder women’s participation in formal structures and processes. Women’s contribution in development processes and decisions remain insignificant even though women constitute more than half of the world population.

Traditionally, women are kept outside the public domain of politics as she is considered fit only for domestic roles in the private sphere. And private sphere is considered non political and always kept away from the purview of public. Though women in 20th century had the right to vote, they were not able to impact public policy as they remained confined in the private sphere.
Women need abilities
· to enter public sphere and negotiate for greater role in the politics
· to build a strong women’s movement and strengthen civil society
· to achieve greater democratization of society and decentralized governance
· to mobilize resources from a range of organizational domains – from the immediate family n kinship to the more distant community, market and state which enable women claim space and participate in the decision making process.

It is equally critical to understand and take advantage of various government programmes that specifically address women development. It is also crucial to create spaces and utilize existing spaces to come together, network, communicate and mobilize action.
But this exercise should not be confused with or limited to asking for inclusion in politics.
The struggle to achieve equity in development is a political project and it is essential to think strategically about it. It should be borne in mind that these inequalities or exclusions are deeply institutionalized and are unquestioned, hence require immediate, tactical moves from our side.
Let us take this opportunity of the upcoming elections to bargain for meaningful role, where we can decide on our future. Most of us present are well experienced in working on the rights of women. This forum is planned to help us put our experiences together. The need of the hour is to think, learn and fight together for our rights. To realize our objectives, we have to think collectively.