Women in Leadership

Women of the world want and deserve an equal future free from stigma, stereotypes and violence; a future that's sustainable, peaceful, with equal rights and opportunities for all. To get us there, the world needs women at every table where decisions are being made. This year, the theme of the International Women's Day - being observed on March 8 - is "Women in Leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world." This day intends to celebrate the tremendous efforts by women and girls around the world in shaping a more equal future and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and highlight the gaps that remain. Women's full and effective participation and leadership in all areas of life drives progress for everyone. Yet, women are still underrepresented in public life and decision-making, as revealed in the recent report of the UN Secretary-General. Women are Heads of State or Government in only 22 countries, and only 24.9 per cent of national parliamentarians across the world are women. At the current rate, gender equality among the Heads of Government will take another 130 years. Women are also at the forefront of the battle against COVID-19, as frontline and Health sector workers as scientists, doctors and caregivers, yet they get paid 11 per cent less than their male counterparts globally. An analysis of COVID-19 task teams from 87 countries found that only 3.5 per cent of them had gender parity. When women lead, we see positive results. Some of the most efficient and exemplary responses to the COVID-19 pandemic were led by women. And women, especially young women, are at the forefront of diverse and inclusive movements online and on the streets for social justice, climate change and equality in all parts of the world. Yet, women under 30 are less than one per cent of the parliamentarians worldwide. It is important to note what UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka has said on the eve of International Women's Day. She said, "We need women's representation that reflects all women and girls in all their diversity and abilities, and across all cultural, social, economic and political situations. This is the only way we will get real societal change that incorporates women in decision-making as equals and benefits us all."

This year's International Women's Day is like no other. As countries and communities start to slowly recover from a devastating pandemic, there is the chance to finally end the exclusion and marginalization of women and girls. But to do that, the society needs immediate action. Women must have the opportunity to play a full role in shaping the pivotal decisions being made right now as countries respond to and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic – choices that will affect the wellbeing of people and the planet for generations to come. In Assam, International Women's Day can be also seen in the backdrop of the ensuing Assam Legislative Assembly elections. People – including men and boys – can probably examine what role women are going to get in this election apart from casting their votes. How many political parties are headed by women in Assam? How many women have found a place in the State or Central committees of the political parties contesting the polls? How many women were there in the committees of each political party – be it BJP, Asom Gana Parishad, UPPL, BPF, Congress, AIUDF, AJP, Raijor Dal or the different Left parties – which are taking the decisions to select the candidates? How many women is each of the parties fielding in the election? Were there women members in the committees of the parties that drew up their respective election manifestos? How many of the male candidates fielded by the different parties have any knowledge about women's rights? How many of these parties and candidates have played any worthwhile role in ensuring protection of women's rights? How many of the candidates contesting the election have Police or Court cases against them relating to violating women's rights including dowry, eve-teasing, rape, molestation and murder?