It is a historical trend that still persists in Himachal Pradesh, with men continuing to dominate the state Assembly. In the face of male monopoly reigning supreme, the struggle for equal participation is still a distant dream, far from being realised.
The situation has not improved as representation of women in the state assembly continues to be dismal, like many other states in the country over the last six decades. Few women contest the elections and even fewer manage to win.
In the recently held Assembly elections in Himachal, of the 68 MLAs elected, only four are women. These include three from BJP and one from Congress, one more than last time. They are Sarveen Chaudhary (sitting MLA from Shapur and now a four-time MLA), Reeta Dhiman (lost the 2012 elections) who won from Indora Assembly constituency, Kamlesh Kumari from Bhoranj all from BJP and a lone Congress heavyweight and now six-time winner Asha Kumari (sitting MLA) from Dalhousie. There were 19 women contenders from across the state, with the Congress fielding three, the BJP six and the remaining contesting from other parties or as independents.
In previous Assembly elections in the state since 1972, there has been no significant rise of women in politics. The largest tally of women winners was in 1998 at 7 (4 Congress and 3 BJP). In the 1972 elections, there were 5 women winners, one in 1977, 3 each in 1982 and 1985, 4 each in 1990 and 1993, 4 in 2003, 5 in 2007 and 3 in the 2012 Assembly elections.
In 2012 Assembly elections there were 34 female contenders, out of which 3 managed to win, in 2007 out of 35 there were 5 winners, 4 out of 31 in 2003 and 6 out of 25 in 1998.
Vidya Stokes (89), an eight-time MLA, is known to be the tallest woman legislator in Himachal and has also served the people of the state as cabinet minister during different regimes of the Congress government.
There are two new women faces this time, Reeta Dhiman and Kamlesh Kumari, both of BJP. They have risen through sheer hard work from the grassroots. Panchyati Raj institution (PRI) has helped in paving their way to state elections.
The legislation introduced by Himachal Pradesh assembly in 2008 (reservation of 50 % seats for women) to improve women’s participation in local body elections is said to have borne fruit for them.
The reservation of seats in PRI elections was a revolutionary landmark in the history of participation in politics in Himachal. The input of women in state politics has however, been more vibrant as the electorate, almost equal to men voters and sometimes even outnumbering men.
In the highest ever turnout recorded in Assembly elections this year at 74.61 %, there were as many as 19, 10,582 female voters against 18,11,061 male voters. In 48 out of 68 Assembly constituencies, the polling percentage of women was higher.
The number of women voters has been on the higher side in each successive Assembly election. In 2012 women’s participation was 76.20 as against men at 69.39 %; in 2007 women were at 74.55 % while men were at 69.67 %; in 2003 75.92 per centy women voted and 73.14 % men; and in 1998 women voters were at 72.21 % and men at 70.26 %.
Despite the percentage of women voters being on the higher side, their entry into state politics can be of help only if equal participation is granted even as contenders, said the women.
Reeta Dhiman (41) said, “My rivals left no stone unturned to question my gender role. They went around raising doubts about my capabilities, just because I was a woman. However, my party stood with me and helped me in winning the seat from where there were 5 males and one female contender.”
“Having got elected as a Zila Parishad member in 2000 and a Pradhan (2016), ity has helped me in connecting with the public. This is the first Assembly election I have contested, “said Kamlesh Kumari (47), who put up a tough fight against five male contenders.
Echoing Reeta Dhiman, Kamlesh Kumari said, “Reservation of women in Assembly elections can help in realising the dream of more winners making it to the state Assemblies, which will also to an extent help in empowering women in the country.”