Women attained voting rights nearly a century ago and they comprise half of the population in most countries. It is a matter of supreme irony that in terms of representation in all spheres of life, they are far behind men.

Since the heralding of the observance of International Women's Day in 1975 by the UN, women have relentlessly articulated their inalienable rights through Mexico, Nairobi, Cairo and Beijing conferences and declarations. On December 18, 1989 the UN General Assembly adopted the Convention on Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). What the women's fora have persistently demanded is an end to all forms of discrimination, be it in factories, offices, society or at homes. They want equal rights, status and remuneration with men. Particularly deplorable has been their poor access to decision-making positions.

So abjectly unconscionable and self-defeating (for the human race) has been the continual denial of their legitimate rights that the latter are regarded now as part and parcel of the universal human rights imperative. But the human rights perspective is a recognition of the obvious. What is important is that the national governments and societies rise to the occasion by re-codifying their laws so as to fully conform to the needs of the women's situation.

Democracy is far from fulfilled if they don't have effective representation in the state and corporate sectors; more importantly, in the local bodies and the national parliament. It is a great pity that one of the most fundamental and strategic demands of the women, namely that they should be MPs through direct election rather than selection has fallen on deaf ears. Regrettably, for the last two and a half years there has been a foot-dragging on the issue and now a law is on the offing designed to increase the reserve quota for women MPs. Essentially, it's going back to the old formula where handpicked nominees of the ruling party will add to the latter's strength in the legislature without being directly elected public representatives, a deviation from the basic spirit of the Constitution. We want the anomaly set right.

Source: The Daily Star: Editorial, March 2004