Poor representation of women in State politics
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: May 03, 2012 -

AK Mirabai lights the inaugural candle at the International Women's Day 2011 & Women Expo-2011 :: Pix - Hueiyen Lanpao

Three women MLAs in a House of 60-member!

That too, in spite of women voters outnumbering their male counterparts and many women actively canvassing for every political party during election time. Yet we say, it is a history in the political annals of Manipur.

A classic case of irony! Yes, comparing to the last General Elections where only one out of the 6 women candidates in the fray got elected, it was definitely an impressive show to have three women MLAs in the State Assembly this time.

Even more appreciable is the fact that out of these three women MLAs, one of them has been inducted into the Ministry as the Minister in-charge of Social Welfare and Co-operation.

So, the high expectation of her kinswomen from Minister AK Mirabai is understandable. When asked 'what they expect from the lone woman Minister', many of the respondents conveyed their desire to see improvement in the status of Manipuri women and put in place some mechanism to put an end to the rising crimes against women.

Some of the respondents also felt that it is up to Minister AK Mirabai now to take Manipuri women to higher level of political participation as well as in decision making process through her success in the task entrusted upon her shoulder. It is not that there were no women Ministers before Mirabai in Manipur.

But she is simply a cut above the rest who ride the tide on the popularity or influence of their husbands or family background, and consequently high expectation from the woman Minister from Patsoi Assembly Constituency is natural.

While sharing the sentiments of the respondents, one pertinent issue we would to raise here is the low participation of Manipuri women in politics.

Down the years, we have seen and learnt how Manipuri women contributed immensely to socio-economic transformation of the society.

In addition to mythological/historical personalities like Queen Laisana, who headed the women's court (Pacha); Queen Linthoingambi, who defended the kingdom from invaders in the absence of her King husband and Queen Gomti, who showed high political strategy, common Manipuri womenfolk have shown their mettle and exemplary courage in taking up the cudgel of fighting against social injustices and social evils afflicting the society.

We take pride in recounting the heroic deeds of these women during the two Nupi Lans (women agitatons) as well as over their Meira Paibi movement.

So, what is stopping them from making foray into politics in large number or at least elect more women candidates to ensure sizeable representation of their own kinswomen in the State Assembly?

One may cited many factors ranging from domestic responsibilities to lack of financial clout, from rising criminalization of politics to threat of character assassination, etc that are making it increasingly difficult for women to join active politics.

All these reasons are fine. But what is even more important is the mutual support and co-operation among themselves.

Until and unless, the women themselves come out in support their own kinswomen contesting in the election, no amount of seat reservations for women would ensure more representation or participation of women in politics.

Just as one swallow cannot make a summer, appearance of one AK Mirabai or O Landhoni or an occasional Nemcha Haokip in the Assembly cannot be called empowerment of women, politically.