Mahanth Thakur-led Tarai Madhesh Democratic Party (TMDP) has floated 50 percent reservation for women in all state bodies. The party further says in its manifesto that the women from oppressed groups have not been getting proper justice and representation as women from elite class get all the opportunities.[break]
“All forms of violence against women, including dowry, are social stigmas,” reads the manifesto of the party.
Rajendra Mahato-led Sadbhawana Party (SP) has said their party would take an initiative to draft "special rights" for women to ensure equal representation in all state mechanisms. As per its manifesto, women would get proportional representation in all state mechanisms, including legislature, executive, judiciary, army and police. The manifesto further envisages separate court for women and child court.
Similarly, Upendra Yadav-led Madhesi People´s Right Forum-Nepal (MPRF-N) has said that the women should get right on ancestral properties. “The women should get at least 33 percent reservation in all state mechanism,” reads the manifesto of the party. The party has further demanded formation of a more "effective women´s commission."
Analysts say the agenda of reservation for women is an imported idea. “Madhesi parties have floated the agenda of reservation for women taking inspiration from the Chief Minister of the Indian state of Bihar Nitish Kumar,” said political analyst Chandrakishore. He further said the political parties have now realized that unless they clearly spell out their agendas for women, they can´t impress them.
In Bihar, the Chief Minister Nitish Kumar´s “Mukhyamantri Balika Cycle Yojana,” under which thousands of school girls were provided bicycles, was a game changer in the 2010 assembly elections. The chief minister had also promised to ensure 50 per cent reservation for women in all state agencies.
However, the women activists and analysts believe that the parties have floated the populist programs merely to win the trust of women voters. Women activist Rupa Jha has accused Madhesi parties of not living up to their words. “Madhesi parties had proposed lofty plans aimed at women in the previous election as well, but they did not fulfill their promises,” said Jha. She further added that the candidates even offer short term incentives for the women voters to attract them.
For instance, in a breach of electoral code of conduct, TMDP candidate for constituency 1 of Saptari, Jay Prakash Thakur, had distributed saree to women voters on Saturday. Similarly, Madhesi People´s Right Forum (Republican) Chairman Raj Kishore Yadav, who is contesting from constituency 6 of Siraha, distributed sewing machines, pressure cookers and cycles to women voters. The Election Commission had sought clarifications from them.
“A candidate gave away pressure cookers merely to woo women voters,” said Jha. “The best attitude politicians adopt in dealing with women is that of patronization. Instead of focusing on women´s empowerment through education and awareness, politicians distribute sarees, cookers and sanitary napkins,” added Jha.
She further added that it was time for political parties to think of the impact their policies will have on women. “Promises of more jobs, better education and tackling domestic violence are all part of election manifestos, but how will they explicitly target obstacles faced by women?” she questioned.
Jha further said that handpicking women candidates just to fulfill the proportionate representation quota will not have sustainable effect on the situation of women. “They need better education, security and opportunity to thrive on their own instead of just a few seats in the state mechanisms,” she maintained.
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