LOCATING THE SILVER LINING

(Wrote way back in 2020)

2020 has garnered most of our attention for being the annus horribilis. With lockdowns, unemployment, sky-rocketing mortality ratios, etc. it becomes hard to locate a ray of hope. One such ray can be seen in the political arena that gave a relatively larger space to women in 2020, standing out mostly as exceptions though. With the records being broken in some elections and a stellar performance by women in fighting the battle against the virus, the political world seems to gradually acknowledge the space women deserve.

Feminism accounts for equality of opportunity in social, political and economic spheres. Only via equal representation of women in politics and thus in the policymaking can we ensure just and fair policies in other sectors as well. While reserving seats for women has been advocated as one of the most effective ways to tackle the problem of lack of representation in the legislature, social changes at the grassroots level are still needed. Seeing women participate in political dialogue is important for their overall emancipation.

Political representation helps the women community in realizing their suppressed gender consciousness, inspiring them to strive towards achieving the feminist ends. It also helps in formulating gender-sensitive policies and in taking inclusionary measures in social and political fields. A significant increase in their representation is essential to break the glass ceiling, challenge the existing patriarchal frameworks and dismantle the prevalent stereotypes about women.

The article attempts to highlight the currently visible silver linings in the field of politics across the world that would make women hopeful for the better days to come.

1.  EMERGING AS A COMPETENT RIVAL:

Belarus witnessed a historic election in 2020 when the incumbent president Alexander Lukashenko was given a tough fight by Svetlana Tikhanovskaya. Svetlana is a teacher and an interpreter herself and wife of activist Sergei Tikhanovskaya who was about to contest the election but was put behind the bars. Sergei is known as the prisoner of conscience by Amnesty International.

Svetlana made this fight her own and stood up for fighting elections despite no prior experience. It is said that she garnered a majority of votes but was reduced to just 10% of the total votes via fraudulent measures. She had been receiving death threats even while she stood up for the elections. Having risked her family life and despite being forced to let her children out of Belarus, she remained committed till the end to fight with might. She has urged the European countries to acknowledge her win and let her preside over the presidential post. Svetlana has not only emerged as a courageous leader for women of Belarus but for everyone who believes that they can fight for truth and democracy across the world.

Her grit has helped in sending out the message, loud and clear, that - 'Democracy is worth fighting for'.

    2. THE FIRST ONE:

                                     

Kamala Harris added a few significant firsts in her name after she was named the Vice-President-elect following her massive victory in the US elections. By becoming the first woman ever, in the history of the world’s largest democracy, to be elected for the post of Vice President, she has not only highlighted the obstinate nature of patriarchy that blocked women’s entry to the higher posts but has broken this glass ceiling in the most exemplary way. She is the first person of Indian descent and also the first Black American to be holding the position of Vice-President. She has previously served as the attorney general of California. Her presence in politics and that too while she holds a coveted position will serve as an inspiration for generations to come. She is a true example of a woman’s emancipation through education and courage.

 

  3. ENDURING INCUMBENCY:

                                     

Jacinda Ardern won the election in 2020 after she spearheaded the fight with her ‘Be Strong and Kind’ mantra. She gathered majority votes, forming a government without a coalition, unlike the last time. Ardern is known for her progressive attitude and liberal outlook. She did a commendable job of controlling COVID-19 cases by applying strict lockdown and by ceiling the borders. Her popularity and acceptance have risen not only in New Zealand but also worldwide. She considers politics as a means to create a kinder world. She also became one of the very few women to give birth to a child while in the Prime Minister’s post, setting an example that women are free to choose their careers and plan a family simultaneously without one adversely affecting the others.

  4.THE GREEN HANDKERCHIEF MOVEMENT:

                                     

Argentina became the fourth Latin American country to legalise abortion. The move came after the incessant demands of pro-choice groups for making abortion legal. Earlier only the rape victims or those women who struggled with severe health risks could opt for abortion. The law is a result of the green handkerchief movement that gained fillip after women across Argentina realized the lack of their reproductive rights. Green, generally known as a symbol for health, has now become the symbol for women’s reproductive liberties and healthcare. While many countries in Latin America allow abortion only in dire cases such as rape or risk to life, some have banned abortion altogether. However, the Green Handkerchief Movement is only a beginning of a larger green wave to assert legal, safe and choice-based abortion across Latin America. Abortion laws favouring a woman’s choice will certainly bring down the female mortality rates and create space for women’s autonomy.

 

5. INDIA GETS HER YOUNGEST MAYOR:

                                      

                         

21-year-old Arya Rajendram became the youngest Mayor of India after winning her seat in Kerala’s local body elections. Her win comes as a beacon of hope for young women who aspire to join politics and make a difference. 50% of seats are reserved for women in Kerala’s local body elections which resulted in increased participation of women. Several women candidates have also won unreserved seats. Though the lack of adequate representation remains a challenge at the assembly and parliamentary levels. Arya’s stint as a mayor will serve as an indelible expression for youth and women of India to pursue their interests. Her commitment to society and her education sends a positive message to every woman across ideological lines.

Furthermore, many women who are MGNREGA workers not only participated in the elections but also went on to win them.

From the approval of the permanent commission for women in armed forces to awarding death sentence to Nirbhaya case culprits, 2020 saw some significant judgements in women's favour. A bench ruled that daughters will remain beneficiaries of the coparcenary rights irrespective of the fact that her father is alive or not. Overruling the 2006 SR Batra judgement, the Honourable Supreme Court held that the wife is entitled to the household that is shared and belongs to the relatives of the husband.

Thus, an equal space for women is a constant battle. While many countries have women as the head of the states, many are still battling for equal representation. Women leaders have shown exemplary performance in tackling the pandemic. It is because of their grit and merit that they have continuously fought the battles against patriarchal institutions. The exercise of coming out of this systematic anonymity and suppression is a continuous one and the above examples give a long-lasting hope that with commitment everything is possible.