Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network- Mangalore (DV)
Mangalore, Sep 13: "Representation of women in politics means participation and involvement in politics with Constitutional guaranteed rights," said Indira, professor of Sociology and Director, International Center, Mysore University.
She was addressing the inauguration of the two day National Seminar on 'Women and Political Representation in India' held at University College here on Friday September 12.
Presenting her keynote address as a panelist in the seminar, she said, "While speaking on 'reservation for women,' right from family to society at large, in the patriarchal ideology and values prevail in this society, we assume that the reservation are given to women. Reservation to women is a channel. Representation means presence, presence is not in numbers but beyond numbers. In my dimension, representation means actual participation in a democratic process in the governance structure, be it political or bureaucratic."
"Constitution has itself created space for representation of women. Though there is a Constitutional guarantee of equal opportunity, women are neither coming forth nor are allowed to come forth to contest elections or participate in politics; that is why reservation cannot be put into being. There is equal opportunity, but utilization of equal opportunity is never guaranteed. Presence means actual meaningful participation. Component of women representation in politics can make their presence meaningful. In many political institutions, women are there but they do not participate. Lending voice to the voiceless refers to the right to speak," she added.
She also said that there are 20% women in global politics; representation does not only mean voices can be heard, but also refers to participation and visibility.
Professor P S Yadapadithaya, Registrar of Mangalore University who presided on this occasion said, "Participation of women in politics and in democracy will help to achieve political synergy. To achieve good results in administration, coordination, collaboration, consultation, commitment, counselling and conscience will be helpful. Enactment should be enforced or else it will lose its importance."
College Principal Sathyanarayana Mallipattana welcomed. Professor P L Dharma, Latha K C and others were present on the occasion.