Women's Rights a Societal Stigma or Political Stunt?

Women's Rights a Societal Stigma or Political Stunt?

Women are portrayed as god-like, angels, and savior throughout history and in many religions. In many cultures women are supposed to be leaders in the home and in the community. However, that is often not the case. Women make up 49.5 % of the global population. However, their participation is socio-political spectrum is very dismal. In this era; it will be foolish to exclude women from participating in socio-political spectrum and ignoring women’s issues. I doubt any family is happy and strong without a woman (but there are exceptions). What we see now is a pre-dated topic called Women's Rights. I call it “pre-dated” - because Women’s Rights have long been discussed and fought about.  Recently though, Women’ Rights have become a political tool or seen as a stigma for many politicians.

Republics and Democracies are (arguably) the best forms of governance when compared with dictatorships, military rule, and authoritarianism. But as much we praise republics and democracies, we still have not attained its perfection because of a lack of inclusiveness. Women, the poor, people of color, and other minorities still struggle to be part of the system. These people want and need access to the system so they can get the things for their community.

Societal Stigma:

Since invention of the republic and democracy, women’s participation has been low to non-existent. However, the concept of a rule of the people or a just society –a Republic—was Socrates’ concept, gave equal role to women. Plato, a student of Socrates, stated that, “the function of guardianship is to be performed by men and women alike (451c-457b)”. 

Now that we have democratic-republic nations, I wonder why we ignored the basic concept and evolved it to favor men and oligarchs? Evolution of a society is a must as it develops, but exclusiveness is not a right evolution. Since the US democracy,  one that we call as the oldest functioning democracy, there have been less than 35 female head of states in the World and held that position 85 times till date. Ironically, the first women head of state was not from the Western world, but came from the Far East. Sirimavo Bandaranaike of Sri Lanka was the first female head of government in modern history; followed by Indira Gandhi of India. Margaret Thatcher of the UK was the first head of state from a western nation.

With women making up 50.4% of the population in the US, women’s legislative representation is severely lacking. We brand ourselves as the most developed and strong nation, but the lack of women in government tells another story. I think it's our notion that men and oligarchs are the best choice to rule and that women are just bystanders. Women in US congress starts with Representative Jeannette Rankin of Montana in 1917. Since then there is progress in women participation, but again not satisfactory. The 115’th Congress, we have only 109 elected women representatives, including both House and senate among the 435 House and 100 Senate members. The first female Presidential candidate in 2016 was a dream that did not come to fruition. In India, the largest democracy in the world, 48% of women make up the population but there are only 66 female members in the lower house - Lok-Sabha- among the 543 total members. The upper house has only 27 among the 244. However, since 1996 the Indian parliament has been trying to pass the Women’s Reservation Bill, which would reserve 33% of the seats for women. It has derailed continually since it introduction.

A society and nation cannot realistically call itself developed if there is not equal participation and representation of the genders in government. Western nations are out performed by African nations when it comes to having women in leadership. The Rwandan government has over 60% women in elected positions. To add credit to women legislatures, they have a remarkable economic growth (World Bank Data: Recovering from the 2012 aid shortfall, the economy grew 7% in 2014 and 7.5% in 2015, up from 4.7% in 2013). So bringing women into mainstream will, to a certain extent, help get their needs heard and noticed.

Political Stunt:

Making women a priority is often touted as a priority among politicians. More often it has only been a political manifesto rather than a strong policy initiative. The fight between Indian political parties about the Women’s Reservation Bill is an apt example and has been on-going since 1996. The only benefit was for those parties who marketed well. If they were so keen in establishing a women's reservation, why wait for a bill? Just give!!

In the US,  see this as stunt between Pro-Life and Pro-Choice. Recently in the US, the Women’s March is a stunt organized by Democratic Party and their affiliates to allegedly promote Women's Rights. This, to me, is absurd and political. Where were these hundreds of thousands women who showed up to the March on November 8th 2016? Without a doubt they could have turned the Presidential result towards their side if all these women had voted. If women feel that only another woman can understand them, then there is a deep misunderstanding because 42% of women voters supported for Trump on Election Day.

The issue of women’s rights is political stunt, because on the Democratic side they bargain for the Right to Choose, or Pro Choice, but on the Republican side they have Pro-Life demands. It is long overdue in an educated and developed nation to have elected officials sit and finalize women’s issues. Health care for women is a common issue and depriving them health care, to me, is a heavenly sin. The Affordable Care Act helps women a lot and so does funding Planned Parenthood. However, the repeal of ACA and defunding Planned Parenthood would be hugely detrimental to women. Not to mention the myths spread by the Republican Party about Planned Parenthood, like that the clinic mostly provides abortions.

However, I do support the Pro-life supporters who are against abortion. When I see 16-year-olds and 18-year-olds getting pregnant and then going for abortion, I believe that they, should be punished by law. It’s not that they are ignorant of getting pregnant, but it has now become fashionable. In 2014, there were 24.2 births for every 1,000 adolescent females ages 15-19, or 249,078 babies born to females in this age group.[1] Nearly 89% of these births occurred outside of marriage, according to the Health and Human Services Department. However, state and federal governments have taken steps to educate teens about sex and pregnancy. The pro-life argument is a very relevant one. In 2013, 664,435 legally-induced abortions were reported to CDC from 49 reporting areas. The abortion rate for 2013 was 12.5 abortions per 1,000 women aged 15–44 years, and the abortion ratio was 200 abortions per 1,000 live births, according to Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

I believe both sides can come together on this issue. I would impose serious penalties for teen pregnancy and even stop any governmental assistance to pregnant teens and for anyone who gets an abortion. Having said, I am not pardoning the man behind the issue. He is equal to more responsible for it. I will, in no way,  put blame completely on woman. She is often on the receiving end of humiliation and insult. I will go rigorously on men. However, it is time to come out of social misbehavior. It is the responsibility of the parent, educational system, and the government to educate them. I will ask every government despite of political ideology to promote the words of Michelle Obama, “There is no boy, at this age, that is cute enough or interesting enough to stop you from getting your education…If I had worried about who liked me and who thought I was cute when I was your age, I wouldn’t be married to the president of the United States.” Those words might work magic on few girls. Especially African American girls, whom according to CDC, is second to Hispanic teens in teen pregnancy rates. Having said that, I do understand that abortion is carried as courtesy to those who are raped and or carrying a fetus with a severe illness. In case of illness or deformity, I think we try early medical interventions to avoid abortions. But in severe illness cases, like those with pain, then I oblige to the sentiments of the parents.

            With a growing female population and their stronghold in politics and social activism, I salute

the women. Women have achieved so much and done so mostly without male support. History has

shown us what strong and powerful women can do. I doubt we lack such women now, but hope for a

better and more just society.