CURRENT AFFAIRS
RESERVATIONS AS A MEANS TO
EMPOWER WOMEN
Concept of 'fundamental rights first appeared in
the constitution of the United States of America,
it was termed as 'guaranteed rights'.
USA got independence on the 4th July 1776 and
subsequently their constitution was formed, and in the
18th century itself they also got their fundamental rights
too. But the women of of the USA got voting rights only
in 1920. Bestowing citizens with guaranteed or
fundamental rights itself was a liberal move which was
way beyond its time, still why did is founding fathers
deny women their right to vote? Well, the answer is,
social indoctrination. This world in general has always
been a patriarchal. Racism too is a result of social
indoctrination. Had the Africans colonized most of the
world like the Europeans did, would racism still be
prevalent? Yes it would have been prevalent but the
superior colour would have been the darker shade and
not the lighter. Just like the lack of parity noticed
between men and women in society a clear distinction
too has been created about the complexion.
India too over the years has been a patriarchal society,
but the constitutional framework showed acumen by
inserting positive discrimination to raise the participation
of women. However, the male dominated politics of
generations have yielded nothing but bare minimum
breathing space for women.
One of the most revolutionary and historic constitutional
amendments India has witnessed is the 73rd and 74th
amendment act. This ensured reservation of women in
grass root levels of democracy. Reservation as a tool is
a means to ensure representation. Ideally it should
create space for every colour in the spectrum. It may not
be enough but undoubtedly an integral step to bring forth
a segment of the society which has been socially
subjugated for ages. From times of the Matriarchal
society of the Indus valley civilization to the 'Sati' and
'Jauhar' to the need of being assertive and demanding,
Indian women have seen a long journey, from an era of
uplift and emancipation to the need of empowerment
today.
Political empowerment will radiate gender sensitiveness
in politics and increase awareness about rights at the
grass root. women's needs, problems and issues will be
highlighted in forums and discussion, only when women
in sufficient numbers manage to reach such forums.
Reservation will provide the initial thrust to overcome
the social barrier, reservation in major employment
schemes and political bodies will enhance the earning
capacity of households. In India economic
empowerment too is an essential as majority of our
population is in the evil clutches of poverty.
Reservation in forces would not only tap talent of
women in combat skills, but also generate healthy
competition in male dominated arenas. This will also
help in aligning some distortions of the society. The
demographic imbalance could be corrected if women
get a strong voice against the crusade of female
foeticide.
In the current scenario as members of a growing
economic giant like India, it is imperative that every
gender contributes and benefits from the growth of the
nation and not get blocked by the chains of social
fragmentation and stigma.
"Where the mind is without fear and the head held
high; Where knowledge is free;
Where the world has not been broken up into
fragments by narrow domestic walls;
Where words come out from the depth of truth;
Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards
perfection;
Where clear stream of reason has not lost its way;
Into the dreary desert sand of dead habit;
Where the mind is led forward by thee;
Into ever-widening thought and action;
Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my
country awake".
Rabindranath Tagore penned the solemn prayer in the
minds of every Indian as we marched on to achieve
independence, and the question this prayer in the form
of poem leaves us with is, how much have we
achieved?
article by Advait Nambiar