New Delhi, Dec. 20, 2018: In a democracy with a male-dominated political system, a woman’s voice is rarely heard.
The National Women’s Party, which claims to be the country’s first national level women’s party, and which aims to ensure 50 percent reservation for women in parliament, was launched in Delhi on December 18.
It is led by Swetha Shetty, 36, who heads a non-governmental organization (NGO), Telangana Mahila Samiti, which boasts of 145,000 members in Telangana.
“I realized there was a need to be part of the system to change the system, I wanted to make this a national movement. We need higher participation in the Parliament to amend laws for the welfare and progress of women ,” Shetty said at the launch of the party in the national capital.
According to the 2011 census, India has 586.4 million women out of a total population of 1.21 billion. A total of 260.6 million women exercised their right to vote in Lok Sabha elections in 2014 according to the Election Commission of India, which gives any women’s party potentially the largest base among political parties.
Yet, there are only 64 women members in the 560-member Lok Sabha and 28 in the 244-member Rajya Sabha. There has been no progress on the women’s reservation bill, which promises to reserve 33 percent of the seats in Parliament for women.
“The creation of the all women party came only after we tried everything else to have at least 33 percent reservation for women in election seats from approaching political parties politely, going to the courts or putting pressure at grassroots level,” said Shetty.
Even men who agree with the ideology are welcome, she added.
Recently, a list was compiled on how most female politicians are subjected to sexist remarks irrespective of their contribution or standing in the political space, and turns out it is more common than you’d expect it to be.
“The political world in India has been majorly male-dominated and women have always felt excluded. The party will attempt to eradicate the present challenges as there is need for women participants who understand the subject more delicately. Women empowerment will be a fair play to persistent paradoxes of our times,” Shetty said.
the new party had begun its groundwork seven years ago with the aim of getting 50 percent reservation for female candidates in the Lok Sabha elections.
Shetty claims that they have applied for registration with the Election Commission.
“Even in 2018, women rights are avoided. I invite all the women, who feel the party can be a platform to improve the condition of women in present time, to join it,” Shetty said.
Shetty wants to contest the 2019 Lok Sabha elections and they will also seek support from like-minded parties. She also welcomes political support from men, “if they agree with our ideology.”
Source: The Hindustan Times