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"RLEK will support openly with volunteers and other resources to the women contesting elections independently and those who feel that they require RLEK's support."
"The hill state of Uttarakhand was formed with much aspiration by the women, for a dream - the dream and vision of a sustainable society, one that would live in harmony with nature which envelopes the region. But the current political leadership of all parties is undermining the very existence and importance of the creators of this hill state - its Women" says Ruchi Kukreti, Chairperson, PRAGATI.
The Debate on the name Uttaranchal vs. Uttarakhand has taken presidence over the sacrifice of thousands of women martyr's who have long since been forgotten and whose memories conveniently buried. Women, the real creators of this state, have been pushed aside with men having invaded the political stage. Political Patriarchy is evident in under-representation and non-involvement of women at higher levels of governance. The undermining political condition and position of women goes unnoticeable before the eyes of so called Public Servants. At every stage, we face nothing but disillusionment for the sacrifices that we have made.
"Women have repeatedly proved their worth at the Local Self Governance. Transparency International has acknowledged, "Women's presence in political system has reduced corruption and has brought about development". But the growing nepotism and corruption have nipped the dreams and aspirations of women by giving them meager 4% of tickets whereas the sex ration of Uttaranchal is almost 47-48%. It is beyond our understanding that this state, which was glorified for women's movement, is impassive to the plummeting position of women" says Avdhash Kaushal, Chairperson, RLEK.
Today as Uttaranchal faces its second elections as a newborn state, the political fate of women looks bleak in the backdrop of National Political Parties shying away from giving them their rightful chance in elections. Gender Budgeting, Gender Planning, work against Gender Bias and Schemes for Women and Children seem like the anthem of today's National Political Parties but all this seems a farce when today we see women leadership being throttled at higher levels.
What we see before us is a picture of a democracy that is fractured and under represented in governance. The men decide the political fate of the nation despite proofs of their continuous incapability and failure to deliver. Despite the increasing literacy rates amongst women and talk about women getting empowered we are left with no option but to DEMAND 50% of reservation for women in the assembly as well as parliament elections.
The question to be asked is "are we not considered worthy of the responsibility or is it an underlying fear of us surpassing the standards they have set?"
"Are we unworthy of the handling the responsibility or are we seen as dangers by the patriarchal political setup?"
