As part of Good Governance Day being celebrated in India on 25th December every year which is the birth anniversary of former PM of India Atal Bihari Vajpayee, let’s dive deeper into the importance of inclusiveness of women in governance. Political participation of women is a fundamental prerequisite for gender equality and genuine democracy. It facilitates direct engagement of women in public decision-making and is a means of ensuring better accountability to women. Inclusion refers to the practice of including individuals from diverse backgrounds, irrespective of their differences, in various aspects of society, such as education, the workplace, and politics. It recognizes the need for representation but often falls short of ensuring that those included have an active role in decision-making processes. Inclusion focuses mainly on creating opportunities for the groups which are underrepresented so that their participation is encouraged and their presence is valued. It initiates providing access and representation, but their perspectives may or may not be integrated into policies or decision-making.
Inclusiveness in case of governance goes beyond mere representation to actively involve marginalized groups, such as women, in policy design, implementation, and evaluation. It entails creating an environment where diverse voices are valued, respected, and integrated into all phases of the policy-making process.
The inclusiveness of women in governance strongly enables equitable participation, recognizing the unique experiences and needs of marginalized groups. It ensures that their perspectives are heard and actively shapes policies, fostering more inclusivity.
Good governance is a fundamental pillar of any thriving society, and inclusiveness is a key component in ensuring that the benefits of governance reach every segment of the population. In recent times, there has been a growing recognition of the vital role that women play in contributing to and shaping good governance. The inclusion of women in governance processes not only upholds principles of equality and justice but also enhances the overall effectiveness of governance structures. This essay explores the significance of women inclusiveness in good governance, highlighting the positive impact it can have on society. Women inclusiveness in governance is a matter of basic human rights and equality. In a just and democratic society, every individual, irrespective of gender, should have the opportunity to participate in decision-making processes. Historically, women have been underrepresented in political and administrative spheres, leading to a lack of diverse perspectives in policy formulation. By actively involving women in governance, societies can move towards a more equitable distribution of power, fostering a sense of justice and fairness.
It is impressive how Indian film industry has encouraged participation of women in politics. For example, the TV series “Maharani” starring Huma Qureshi has enlightened on how a housewife conquers the world when questioned about her capabilities. The TV series motivates young minds on how the government doesn’t just look or feel clean but also works clean under the governance of a women. Similar to this is another good piece of Bollywood movie called “Dasvi” starring Nimrat Kaur. These movies aren’t baseless. These movies have been inspired from powerful, smart, courageous women who have had great roles in governing the country.
While progress has been made in promoting women inclusiveness in governance, challenges persist. Gender stereotypes, discrimination, and societal expectations can hinder women's active participation in political and administrative roles. To address these challenges, there is a need for comprehensive policies that promote gender equality, address systemic biases, and create an enabling environment for women to participate in governance.
Speaking of today, our honourable President Droupadi Murmu is an epitome to all the women. Murmu has broken all the myths and stereotypes and has imprinted hope in all our hearts and minds that - “ if we gather up the courage to do it, every obstacle feels like an opportunity to achieve greater goals in life.” Sonia Gandhi is the backbone of the Congress party. She has played great role in binding the Congress party together and has made the Congress party one of the most competitive political party till date.
Have you heard of Mayawati? She is the most powerful Dalit leader in India till date. She has served as the CM of Uttar Pradesh for 4 consecutive years. She is affiliated to the Jatav caste positioned towards the upper end of the scheduled castes and communities. Her role as a powerful leader over the UP's political spectrum has been admired by not only the other political leaders but also the common crowd.
The ideal characteristics of women makes her inclusiveness in politics an embellishment to country’s good governance. The patience, smart decision within short period of time and an unlimited list of possibilities to run a government efficiently, especially during hard times is a child's play for women. If running the household efficiently by women is the need of the hour then why is running a government efficiently by women not the talk of the times? A woman is born and expected to have the qualities of patience, perseverance, forgiveness, honesty, loyalty, kindness etc then inclusivity of women with these qualities is a must to ensure the stability of the country. Women are experts as makeshifters and women makeshifters are the best leaders who could run country in the most efficient manner possible.
History is a deponent of all the injustice and unequal circumstances women has had to face. Hence, having had to face inequality and diverse problems just because they belong to certain gender curbs all the capabilities of women to emerge as great leaders. Therefore, inclusivity of women in governance is a great opportunity for the country to bring political inequality to an end and make the country grow economically with peace and harmony. Change in perspectives and change in the way of ruling can help the country grow and earn a good name in terms of equality and governance.
Arunachal Pradesh is one of the noted states in India for being committed towards the safety and progress of women and children. In Arunachal Pradesh equality reigns supreme and women are highly admired for their invaluable contributions to the society. Whether it is excelling in agriculture, academia, or preserving cultural heritage, females are held in high regard, matching their male counterparts in strength, knowledge, and societal impact.
Inclusivity of women in governance can help young girls dream and work hard for a goal which would benefit their country and to become the country's torchbearers. This would inspire women to gain not just financial freedom but also a meaningful purpose of their lives. Political accountability to women starts with increasing the number of women in terms of decision-making positions but it doesn’t end here. What is essential is the gender-sensitive governance reforms that will make all elected officials more effective at promoting gender equality in public policy and ensuring their implementation.
The inspiring story of Kiran Bedi, former Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry enlightens us all on how women when given an opportunity to be the core of the government can bring impeccable changes to the country. Kiran Bedi is the first IPS (Indian Police Service) officer of India who has contributed greatly to the betterment of the country. Her journey to become the IPS officer had innumerable hurdles but she didn’t give up because she was determined to have a great impact on all of our hearts and minds. She has personally impacted the stereotypical sector of Indian society where women are discouraged to join the Police service. She broke all the barriers stopping women from holding high governing country positions and proved how hard work, patience, perseverance and an aim to have good impact on commoners can take you to greater heights and would bring out the best version of yourself you never even imagined of.
Having women in governance would uplift the importance of both the genders and would give women the opportunity to prove the world that their capabilities and guts are beyond the roles of a mother, sister, wife, daughter, caretaker etc. If there are more women in governance then women would feel safe to walk, run and earn their country. Give women the opportunity and you’ll definitely see how she wins majority of the hearts through her qualities. The inbuilt motherly nature of women would always shape her to be the best mother to their country. Hence, women in power i.e. inclusiveness of women in governance would definitely make the governance good since women would take care of their country like they’d care for their child and women are the best mothers till date.
Women are frequently powerful change agents encouraging others to take action, assert their rights, strengthen their communities, and protect the environment. Their involvement is essential to democracy. Their witty minds, daily hustles and gender fears are some of the reasons the women understand the problems in detail and find the best solution possible. There’s a quote stating that “Women are great detectives and hardcore passionate people.” So, if a woman is so passionate, observant and best caretaker of her loved ones. Imagine her governing a country which she is emotionally attached to.
Women are great binders of members in a family. Hence, they can prove to be the trunk which holds all branches together. Women are significant decision makers of family. And, most importantly handles finances like a cake walk. If trained and given opportunity, finance would be in better hands i.e. hands of the women.
Inclusive governance benefits from diverse perspectives and experiences. Women bring unique viewpoints, priorities, and problem-solving approaches that may differ from those of their male counterparts. When women participate in decision-making processes, they contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of societal needs and challenges. This diversity of thought enhances the quality of policies and programs, making them more responsive to the needs of the entire population. Studies consistently show that societies with greater gender equality are more likely to experience higher levels of social and economic development. When women are actively involved in governance, they champion issues such as education, healthcare, and social welfare, which are crucial for the well-being of communities. Empowering women economically and politically not only strengthens their individual capacities but also contributes to the overall progress of the society. Women's inclusiveness in governance has been linked to improved governance outcomes. Research suggests that organizations and governments with a balanced representation of men and women are more likely to achieve sustainable development goals and effective governance. Women often exhibit qualities such as collaboration, empathy, and inclusiveness, which can lead to better decision-making and more responsive governance structures.
As we move forward, it is crucial to continue advocating for policies that empower women, break down barriers, and create a more inclusive and equitable governance framework for the benefit of all.