At the “We Women Want Festival & Awards 2024”, a panel discussion titled “Women in Politics” featured Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate and political analyst Neerja Chowdhury.

The discussion, moderated by Priya Sehgal, explored the historical journey of women in Indian politics, their leadership roles, the challenges they face, and the persistent gender biases within political parties, particularly Congress. Both panelists highlighted the progress women have made over the years, while also acknowledging the systemic obstacles that continue to hinder their full participation.

 

Discussion Highlights:

Praise for Sonia Gandhi’s Leadership

Supriya Shrinate expressed her admiration for Sonia Gandhi, particularly for her leadership during the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) years. She described Gandhi as empathetic and graceful, underscoring her significant role in shaping crucial reforms alongside Dr. Manmohan Singh. Supriya noted that her personal interactions with Gandhi enhanced her respect for the Congress leader, particularly appreciating her sense of humor which added a unique charm to her leadership style.

Supriya also contrasted her connection with Sonia Gandhi to ‘Indira Gandhi’, recognizing that many in her generation, including herself, did not experience Indira Gandhi’s era firsthand, making Sonia’s influence more personal and impactful.

 

Historical Overview of Women in Politics

Neerja Chowdhury provided a historical context regarding women’s political engagement in India, tracing back to the freedom struggle. She emphasized that Indian women gained voting rights earlier than their Western counterparts. “Indian women had a head start,” she stated, citing Mahatma Gandhi’s appointment of ‘Sarojini Naidu’ as Congress president in 1924, despite the literacy rates among women being only 1% at the time.

However, Neerja highlighted that women have often been sidelined in post-independence politics. In the first Lok Sabha, only 5.4% of members were women, a figure that has increased to 13.4% today. While progress has been made, it remains insufficient for achieving gender parity. She pointed out that women in politics are frequently judged by different standards than men, where competence is often overshadowed by perceptions of morality or family background.

 

Priyanka Gandhi’s Political Position

A significant focus of the discussion was on Priyanka Gandhi’s role within the Congress party. Neerja questioned why Priyanka was not given a seat to contest in Uttar Pradesh, particularly in the Congress strongholds of ‘Amethi’ and ‘Raebareli’. She argued that Priyanka’s exclusion from these constituencies reflects deeper biases within the Congress party that hinder the rise of prominent women leaders.

Supriya defended the party’s strategy, stating that Priyanka’s national campaigning was prioritized over contesting a single seat. “We did not want to fall into the trap of the BJP,” Supriya explained, arguing that restricting Priyanka to one constituency would limit her effectiveness across multiple states. She expressed hope that Priyanka Gandhi would soon find her place in Parliament, where her assertiveness and leadership could make a greater impact.

Social Media Abuse and Gender Bias

The discussion also addressed the severe issue of social media abuse directed at women in politics. Supriya, who oversees the Congress party’s social media operations, pointed out that the nature of online trolling is often gendered. “The only threat and the only abuse that a woman gets on social media is sexual in nature,” she stated, emphasizing the specific forms of harassment that women encounter, which are rarely faced by their male counterparts.

Despite the challenges, Supriya mentioned that she has developed resilience over the years but draws the line when it comes to attacks on her children, recounting how she has taken legal action against trolls targeting her daughter.

 

Gender Inequality Within Congress

Neerja raised concerns about the treatment of women within the Congress party itself, despite its liberal stance. She cited the example of Kumari Shelja, a prominent Dalit woman leader, to illustrate ongoing gender biases. While acknowledging these issues, Supriya noted that Congress has implemented a recent constitutional amendment mandating that 50% of all office bearers must come from SC, ST, OBC, minority, and women groups under the age of 50. This, she argued, demonstrates the party’s commitment to improving representation for marginalized groups, including women.

Women’s Reservation Bill

The panel discussed the recently passed “Women’s Reservation Bill”, which aims to reserve 33% of seats in Parliament and state assemblies for women. While Supriya welcomed the bill, she criticized the BJP for delaying its implementation by linking it to future delimitation and census exercises, effectively pushing the bill’s enactment to at least 2034. “It’s a carrot that women can’t consume,” she remarked, expressing frustration that the bill is being used as a political tool rather than a genuine commitment to gender equality.

Despite the setbacks, Supriya urged political parties to avoid mudslinging over women’s issues, emphasizing the need for bipartisan cooperation to advance women’s rights across the political spectrum.

 

Conclusion: The Path Forward for Women in Politics

The discussion highlighted both the strides made and the ongoing struggles faced by women in Indian politics. While women have made significant inroads in various fields, politics remains an area where representation and recognition are still limited. As India progresses, the call for greater representation of women in politics intensifies. However, as both Supriya and Neerja concluded, achieving meaningful change requires more than rhetoric; it demands structural reforms and a cultural shift that values women’s leadership on par with men’s.

 

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