SEXISM IN POLITICS

Sexism in politics reflects the common belief that women are incapable of
successfully filling leadership roles in our government. Even though there are
women in the Cabinet, Supreme Court, Congress, and nearly all levels of
government, female candidates running for public office continue to experience
sexism. Also the female voters are outnumbering the male voters but still women
cannot easily take over in the political arena because the women sort of believe
that politics is a good-old-boy activity and hence hesitate in entering the arena of
politics. Basically women politicians are viewed as inattentive wives and mothers. If
women are avid family members then they are viewed as inattentive public
servants. On the other hand men politicians do not have to confront to such double
standards.

In India sexist remarks by Indian politicians can be well quoted.

> Congress MP and Presidents son Abhijeet Mukherjee on the recent Delhi protests
against the Rape victim commented ,dented-painted women protestors in Delhi
went to discotheques and then turned up at India Gate to express outrage.
> Congress MP Sanjay Nirupam to BJP MP Smriti Irani: It's only four days of your
entry into politics and you have become a political analyst. Aap toh TV pe thumke
lagati thi, aaj chunavi vishleshak ban gayi (you were shaking your hips on TV, and
now you have become a psephologist).
> Narendra Modi during an election rally in Himachal Pradesh made this remark
about Sunanda Pushkar wife of Congress' Shashi Tharoor: Wah kya girlfriend hai.
Have you ever seen a Rs 50-crore girlfriend?
> Mulayam Singh Yadav addressing a public rally in Barabanki, `Only women from
the affluent classes can get ahead in life, but remember you rural women will never
get a chance because you are not that attractive.i
In my opinion the comments made by the so called rule makers of our country are
sexist in nature as they are portraying women as dowry burdens, weaker gender
and worthy of a lower social status as compared to men.
The misogynist remark made by Abhijeet Mukherjee just proves the sick and
pervert mentality of politicians belittling the brave women out there protesting
against a heinous crime against women, well aware that they might just get lathi

charged by police or even worse, molested by hooligans. It shows how Indian

politicians are using masculine tropes to justify gender based violence. By saying
women who are participating in candle light vigils and protesting have no
connection with ground reality and that it is a fashion for a community to hold
protest marches just like visiting a discotheque is a foot in mouth comment which
speks about the volumes of the mindset of men and the way the society behaves
towards women. In my opinion rather than saying that it was the true voice of the
women who were disenfranchised he is equating women with cars in an automobile
workshop. Such a chauvinistic and sexist statement in a nutshell portrays how
politicians are trying to circumscribe the limits of women.

The defamatory language used by Sanjay Nirupam crossed all limits of decency and
decorum. Such an obnoxious statement made by Mr. Nirupam shows how
parliamentarians respect women and thus in my view the rape cases in india are
bound to rise and also passing such crass comments ultimately leads to the
degradation of status of women in politics as well as in the society as a whole.

Mr. Modis remarks about Sunanda Pushkar reflect the behavior of a street rowdy.
( Narendra Modi, the Chief Minister of Gujarat, who was campaigning in Shimla for
the Himachal Pradesh polls, commented at the ex-UN diplomats wife. Such a jibe
about Sunanda Pushkar made him overstep the limits of decorum and decency.
Even though on one hand his sexist statement gave him the much needed spotlight
that any politician might require , but on the other hand it certainly reveals his
cheap sense of humour.

Mr. Mulayam Singhs comment- I don't like to say this, but they (those elected due
to women's quota) would be the women like wives and daughters of officers and
businessmen, the kind who get whistled at is sexist in nature as it portrays malechauvinism and an effort to suppress women. In regard to the Women Reservation
Bill there was no logic to his opposition even then he resorted to such a low level of
political debate which is offensive to women. I think that senior leaders of political
parties particularly whose own relatives are in parliament should really think to stay
away from these comments because they clearly reinforce that entrenched attitude
of equating women to a commodity and such comments are highly sexist,
chauvinistic and anti-women in nature . Thus Sexism in Indian politics is rampant,
and when it comes to representation in Parliament or assembly, it is pretty dismal.
After 65 years of independence, even today, women leaders face one or the other
kind of discrimination and are viewed with suspicion especially if they are
successful. Its hard to say where India really stands on the gender issue. Despite
ready globalization and economic success, patriarchy remains entrenched and
abuse against women rampanteven while female CEOs stand watch over major
business firms.

As in case of America one of the best comments that would be branded sexist today
was the one that was told by Bush. When asked why US has had no woman as
President, he replied that the law requires the President to be above 40. Since no
woman will admit she is above 40, it is not possible to have a woman as President.

Perhaps more importantly, though, women have been exercising more and more
political clout as voters. Beginning in the 1980s, the percentages of voting women
have surpassed those of men. Because women tend to vote for more liberal
candidates who support social programs than do men, they have the potential to
heavily influence the outcomes of elections. It is essential for women leaders to use
their positions of power to speak out on sexism and misogyny and not to ignore it
any longer. In short, women are making strides, but also have a long way to go
before reaching equality with men in the world of politics.

i http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?283451