Professor Sheila Bunwaree
Could the recently introduced Women’s Reservation Bill in India be an inspiration to Mauritian political leaders so that they ensure a better and more adequate representation of women in parliament by fielding more women candidates in the next general elections, thus addressing a historically persistent democratic deficit ? India must be congratulated as it has successfully moved from the 33% of women representation in the panchayats, to getting its women on the national agenda too, thus showing its determination for the advancement of women’s political rights. The latter are most essential to the deepening of democracy and making the latter more meaningful.
Commenting on the bill, Ms Ferguson, UN Rep for India notes:
“India’s bold step sends a clear message to the world that the path to gender equality is not only essential, but attainable.”
Could the Mauritian PM go the extra mile and introduce a piece of legislation to this effect, thus making Mauritian democracy more representative, just, equitable and inclusive ? Such a step could be modelled on what the country did in the context of local elections when Hervé Aimée, the then Minister of Local Government, brought the necessary amendments to the Local Government Act, to ensure a better representation of women in local government. I have often argued in these very columns and elsewhere that there is absolutely no need for electoral reform to address the underrepresentation of women in parliament. Associating the latter with electoral reform is a false debate. Of course, we need an electoral reform to address various other failures of the current electoral system but women’s under representation can be addressed by a very simple piece of legislation independently of electoral reform. It is mere patriarchal hypocrisy at work when these two continue to be linked.
Opposition and extra parliamentary opposition parties in Mauritius have often defended the cause of women. Some of their members including certain male figures, are proven feminists and will no doubt support such a bill. Mauritius is preparing for the next general elections. A lot of internal discussion and ‘fighting’ about candidatures and tickets is bound to take place. Let this be an opportunity for all political parties to address this grave democratic deficit of Mauritius. They can and must do so if they are truly committed to the long term interests, welfare and democratic consolidation. A relevant bill being introduced or not, they should go ahead and field more women candidates. There are enough studies across the globe showing that a minimum critical mass of 30 per cent representation by women in parliament can make a difference, resulting in positive outcomes for All. Moreover, this can help us to respect the various regional and international protocols that we have signed and ratified to this effect.
Another false debate around the question of women’s underrepresentation in politics is the question of quality versus quantity. Moreover, this same debate hardly ever rises when it comes to male politicians. All this is reflective of a mindset which is resistant to change as well as some seeing potential women candidates as a threat to those wanting to preserve their places. True, no Mauritian in her/his right mind would want “parliamentary dolls”, “Yes women” or those who are simply content with their own positionings and show no effort in changing the lives of people at the grassroots. I am confident however that the nation has a rich pool of talents, capacities, competencies amongst its women that political parties can draw from, if they are serious about making a difference.
Many of the Republic’s women have significant academic credentials, are credible, full of integrity, empathy, compassionate and authentic – qualities that are necessary for effective and ethical leadership. RUPTURE that we often hear of should start here, since women have alternative and different perspectives on every aspect of life, as recently expressed by Sheila Ujodha, Director of MIoD, amongst others. If women are given the chance to bring their voices to the decision making table, formulating policies, designing relevant laws, engaging in effective gender budgeting, and implementing programmes, giving credence to the notion of diversity, will make them exceptional contributors to the advancement of SDG goal 5-gender equality and thus allow our small, resource poor, vulnerable island state to leapfrog to greater heights. Gender equality’s crosscutting nature means that SDG 5 is central to the achievement of all other SDGs and can assist in bringing new levels of prosperity and development, leaving no one behind.
I agree more with Mahua Moitra, the brilliant, energetic, Indian woman parliamentarian from the Trinamooll congress opposition party, who, responding to the Women’s reservation Bill, notes: “…We hold up half the sky, give us at least a third of our earth….’’ But Without wanting to be greedy, I strongly believe that we need parity. One third is just a transitional step – all those concerned, cannot procrastinate any more. It is more urgent than ever before to re imagine and recalibrate our societies with women’s lenses, if we truly want to build back better, in this increasingly complex and challenging world. The Voices of the many women that Fam Ape Zwenn(FAZ) met and engaged with during the last year, clearly illustrates this. More on these encounters later.