Abstract: The political representation of women in Parliament is much need of the hour. But the question that arises is whether political representation would empower the women of the country in letter or in Spirit? The discussion for the day would be outlined into three parts. First it will look at the global dynamics and the wave that is instrumental in giving political representation to women. The Second part would look at the global dynamics. While the third part will look at the 73rd and 74th Amendment Bill and the issue of proxy women and the ‘Sarpanch Pati’ culture that has usurped this effort. Finally, thematically, the discussion will conclude with the discussing the large idea of quota within quota and whether this bill is an essential effort in uniting the social cleavages that exist in society or is it just a lip service that is being offered to the masses. The discussion would also look into the timing of passage of this rather crucial bill and the reason why there was constant political apathy regarding the same, despite decade after decade and term after term every party mentioning the same in their political manifesto. It will also look at the political debates and viewpoints put forth by different political parties on the same issue and what led to a stalemate leading to the Bill not seeing the light of the day for so long.
About the speaker: Dr. Pournamy, is an Assistant Professor at CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bengaluru. She has previously worked with Centre for Policy Research, New Delhi and prior to that with UN Women South Asia office, where she developed the interest in the issue of Women’s political empowerment. She finished her PhD and M.Phil from Centre for Political Studies, JNU, and her Master from Lady Shri Ram College for Women, University of Delhi and Bachelors from Jesus and Mary College, University of Delhi. She always has a keen interest in her the stream of Political Science and appreciates all discussions pertaining to the same.