More than 60 per cent women in South Asia do not participate in active politics for fear of violence. Poor implementation of laws and lack of support from the police and judiciary are further promoting the vice of violence against women, prohibiting them from participating in politics, which is already a rampant practice across the region, shows a multination study.
The study conducted by United Nations Women and Centre for Science and Research across India, Nepal and Pakistan studied and analysed the incidents of violence that occurred from 2003 to 2013.
The study addressed the nature, extent and reasons for violence that inhibits women’s political participation interviewed 800 respondents through the decade-long term. The researchers studied election commission officials, police, contestants, and families in urban and rural areas to get a pan society view of the situation.
The study shows that while the percentage of female voters and women candidates fielded by political parties has increased in all three countries, the percentage of female representatives in national bodies has decreased.
The study also highlighted physical violence, verbal abuse and threat of violence are higher in India, while character assassination was seen as a greater threat in Pakistan and Nepal.
Threats, kidnapping and killing were some other forms of violence quoted by women candidates. Almost 45 per cent of women candidates in India faced physical violence and threats in comparison to only 21 per cent and 16 per cent in Nepal respectively.
Almost 50 per cent of respondents felt that the decision on a woman’s participation in electoral politics should be taken by her family. “Almost 90 per cent of women in these countries feel that violence breaks their resolve to join politics,” said Dr. Rebecca Reichmann Tavares, Representative, UN Women’s Office for India, Bhutan, Maldives and Sri lanka.
“From our comprehensive review of laws on violence against women, it is clear that none of the three countries has legislation that deals strictly with offenders to prevent violence against women in politics,” she said.
“Except for a few chosen female politicians, most of the elected female representatives have a limited or marginal role in important discussions within their political party,” said Dr Ranjana Kumari, Director, CSR. The study shows that low awareness about politics and overall decline in moral values are also among reasons for violence against women.