By Afaque Hussain
Meghalaya is a state where women voters outnumber their male counterparts but surprisingly, most of the political parties here, male-dominated that they are, hardly focus on issues pertaining to them. As the state readies for the April 11 Lok Sabha elections, women voters want their many issues and concerns to be addressed by the future MPs and the new government at the Centre.
The Shillong Times spoke to women from across the spectrum to know their expectations.
Madhavi Chhetry, a teacher at Gorkha Pathshala Higher Secondary School, said though today women are considered equal to men in every aspect, reality is far removed. “The government must ensure that women are treated equally in all aspects in real terms,” she added.
Asserting that crime against women and children are increasing by the day, she urged the government to come up with policies for protecting women and putting an end to atrocities on them which would ultimately make Meghalaya a better place.
On the other hand, CSWO president Agnes Kharshiing, who was a victim of a brutal attack by goons in East Jaintia Hills last year, said women suffer a lot and the MPs and the government must see that all cases of crime against them and children are properly investigated and severest of punishment meted out to the culprits who commit heinous crimes against women
She also lamented the rise in domestic violence against women. Besides, she said there are many loan sharks in the state who harass women and the government must do something in this regard.
A 33-year-old woman, who works as a domestic help, said there are many problems which women in the state face everyday “but there is none to address our issues”.
“No candidate has ever asked me about the problems that I face as a woman. The only thing they ask me during elections is ‘you know me right?’ or ‘remember me,’” she added.
However, she is aware that the Lok Sabha election is important because “we need a responsible person to represent the state in Parliament and the one who can speak on behalf of all of us”.
“I will go and cast my vote, and I know whom to vote,” she added.
It is high time that the manifestos of all political parties and the candidates who are contesting the elections talk about the important issue of rights and livelihood of women, said Hasina Kharbhih from Impulse NGO.
She also said many women today are aspiring to take up political leadership and parties should create a platform for them.
Rikynti Marwein, a senior journalist from the city, said, “I am sure they know their job and role… that’s why they are in the fray.”
She said people can expect many things from them as they make a lot of promises every five years. “It’s a fact that sometimes it’s difficult to meet the ever growing expectations but at least we expect to see performing MPs, ones who are transparent and accountable, decision-makers who we can trust,” she added.
Former Cabinet minister and MLA Ampareen Lyngdoh said no candidate in Meghalaya can win the elections without the active support of women as they are involved in every segment of the elections be it campaigning, managing booths etc.
Recalling her experience when she won four elections consecutively, she said that it was a challenging task for her to contest the elections as she had to look after her family as well even as she admitted that women are hesitant to step into politics because of their household duties.