Public perception towards women in politics changing?

Atono Tsükrü Kense 
Kohima | February 8

With an average of 9 percent, representation of women in the state Legislative Assemblies in India is far from comforting.  In the state of Nagaland, since the first general elections were held in 1964, there has not been a single women representative in the state Assembly. 

There have only been two instances of women entering Parliament, the first was in 1977 and the other, only in 2022. 

In 1977, Rano M Shaiza defeated the then sitting Chief Minister Hokishe Sema of the Indian National Congress (INC), making her the first woman member of the Lok Sabha from Nagaland. 

In March 2022, S Phangnon Konyak became the first woman to become the Rajya Sabha Member from Nagaland as the candidate of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) composed of the BJP and the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP).

Women, who have dared to contest the Assembly elections, have not had as much luck, in a field regarded as a male domain. In the last 2018 election, there were five women contenders— two from the National People’s Party (NPP), one each from NDPP, BJP and an Independent candidate. The votes polled were 1.79 percent, 2.22 percent, 45.77 percent, 7.21 percent and 20.45 percent, respectively, as sourced from the Report on the General Election to the 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) 2018 by the Chief Electoral Officer.

This time too, three political parties have fielded four ‘potential and capable’ women candidates viz Hekani Jakhalu (NDPP) in 3 Dimapur-III A/C; Salhoutuono Kruse (NDPP) from 8 Western Angami; Kahuli Sema (BJP) in 32 Atoizu and Rosy Thomson (INC) in 6 Tenning for the general election 2023.

Lack of support 
Women, who have made unsuccessful forays in the past, have attributed the lack of success to a number of factors, including but  not limited to lack of resources, “co-voting” and a perceptible lack of confidence in women as electoral winners. The women to whom The Morung Express spoke wished to remain anonymous. 

A candidate narrating her experience of the last elections in 2018 said that she faced obstacles at every step beginning with her announcement to contest in the elections. 

She recalled how people discouraged her from contesting, even to the extent of barring her from campaigning.  

“I faced lots of problems from within the community,” said she. As politics is perceived as a men’s game, she said that many of the men were apprehensive of her intent, and displayed no trust and confidence in the idea of a woman politician.

“There were times when I stood up to speak, people just walked, and the other half couldn’t understand what I tried to say,” she recalled.

Although there were some men who were very supportive and welcoming the idea of women in the arena of politics, she observed that many still doubted. Besides, she noted that lack of resources and “co-voting” were the main challenges.

Basing on her experience, she noted that no matter how capable a woman is, how genuine her intent, or how good she can speak “at the end of the day money talks.” “We are so used to our politicians promising something and not fulfilling them, so no one really seems to care what you say or do.”

Another former candidate faced opposition from “undergrounds,” who were averse to the idea of women foraying into politics, besides the apparent lack of support from the men.

Nonetheless, she maintained that over the years the mindset of the masses have undergone tremendous change. “This time our women candidates are so promising and am very happy for them,” she remarked. 

As hectic preparations are on for the elections, this newspaper further interacted with two candidates to understand their foray into politics and their ideals and visions.

Gender equality, equal development primary focus
Salhoutuonuo Kruse, who has served in NGOs for more than 24 years, said her late husband’s unfulfilled vision and dreams, enthused her to venture into politics.

To bring equality and transformation in the society, women have to be in the decision making body, she asserted, while adding that women’s participation in politics is paramount today for ensuring accountability and social transformation. 

“My primary focus is to help and uplift our people,” said Kruse adding that her vision is also for equal infrastructural development and representation in both urban and rural areas, to create a model constituency, youth and women empowerment, skill development and employment, among others.

Unlike the past, Kruse said the men folk have been supportive and assisting her towards achieving the “collective dreams” for the society.
A veteran member of the INC for over 30 years, Rosy Thomson said she has been very interested in politics since her younger years and this inspired her to stand in the elections.

With a vision for village development, fighting poverty, good governance, and equal opportunity for the educated youth and gender equality, she said that “women in the northeast region are so deprived.”

“Women are no lesser than men, and given a chance we can do and achieve so many things,” said Thomson, whose primary focus is women empowerment.

She viewed that men have been running the affairs of the state all these years and that women should be given the chance to demonstrate their competence. 

Source: https://morungexpress.com/public-perception-towards-women-in-politics-changing