Increasing Participation of Young WomenIn Electoral Process:

A Presentation by:

Dr. BhagbanprakashSenior Advisor, IIIDEM

Election Commission of India

The International Convention on the Political Rights of Women, 1952

Article 1-Women shall be entitled to vote in all elections on equal terms with men, without any discrimination.

Article 2-Women shall be eligible for election to all publicly elected bodies, established by national law, on equal terms with men, without any discrimination.

Article 3- Women shall be entitled to hold public office and to exercise all public functions, established by national law, on equal terms with men, without any discrimination.

Yet, women in India and outside, are ill represented in various decision making structures.

According to a survey by Inter Parliamentary Union ,India lags behind the world average with 10.8% women representation in the Parliament,

while it is 27.7% in Afghanistan , 33.2% in Nepal , 22.5 in Pakistan , and 19.7 in Bangladesh.

However, the fact remains that women, across the

world are known to be better managers than

men.

They have a clear focus and can relate public

policies to the people more effectively.

They are more logical and rational, have the

ability to communicate and share their concerns with

people across board and from all walks of life.

can analyze lot of information and get things

done quicker than others.

They are more consensus driven, less

adversarial and more human centric.

Societies are less violent and more

peaceful with women playing leadership role.

Where are these 44.18% women electors who did not vote in 2009 and why?

How many of them changed mind in assembly elections and how and why?

How to identify and include them in the electoral process.

Is their lower literacy level (65.46%, as per 2011 Census) is a disabling factor?

If in Manipur , Goa ,Uttarakhand, Punjab and several Assembly elections,(2012-13) women voters out numbered the men, how this could be replicated in respect of other states and how?

Are young women less involved citizens or less interested than young men to participate in political activities?

How often do they discuss public affairs among themselves?

Are there participatory opportunities, both formal and informal for young women in Indian society, why young women are under- represented in public institutions?

And wherever they are represented, do they have the freedom to think and act on their own?

Are there inhibiting social norms disabling women from participating in electoral process?

Are they put off taking part in acrimonious, noisy campaigns.

By male hostility, by the family sacrifice they have to make, by the enormous finance required ?

Why is it that in slum, in community, in religions, academic institutions and civic organizations young men have larger representation than young women?

To increase political awareness among young women.

To increase their interest in public affairs. To promote and increase their participation in

democracy.

Informing and educating young women about values of voting and participatory democracy.

Encourage them to articulate their political views and join politics for change and development.

Train women in public speaking, public contact, policy planning, campaign management, lobbying, assertiveness, time management, social change and leadership.

Target and train Anganwadi Workers, ASHA workers and Mahila Mandals, Women’s SHG Groups, NSS, NCC female units, Guides of BSG, workers in women empowerment programs for motivating young women for voting.

Address marginalized women groups about their civic responsibility to strengthen democracy by voting.

Organize innovative programs and develop inspiring materials.

Link women’s voting age with end of adolescence and legal entry into age of marriage.

Celebrate the “golden five” achievements of young women – biological, legal, social, political and demographic i.e. puberty, age of marriage, end of adolescence, voting rights and entry into adulthood.

Establish “Young Women Voters’ Monitoring Committees” to evaluate and work for voter awareness.

Organize discussion groups on what electoral democracy has done for young women, how laws enacted in Assembly and Parliament reflect their voice, choice, opinion, rights, freedom and equality,

Design communication campaigns targeted specifically art young women.

Roll out exclusive women specific awareness programs

for registration, issues of Electoral Photo Identity Cards (EPIC) and voting rights.

Encourage young women in taking lead in this process.

Thank you.