Young Professionals - Women in Politics: A Need to Change Mindsets and Laws

Recently, the Prime Minister announced that laws should be enforced to allow more women to enter politics. In Mauritius, the female gender in under-represented in Government. Will amending the laws be sufficient or is there a need for a change in mindsets?

Adheen Somand Kumar : “There is no such legal limitation” 

Adheen Somand Kumar believes that there is neither a legal nor a universal societal restriction for women to be present on the political forefront. “As Mauritius endows a multicultural setting, the situation is not the same for everyone ranging from closely conservative to more liberal notions of freedom. Taking into consideration the political culture of Mauritius, one cannot get elected by simply registering her name on the nomination day. Campaigning for election involves being physically and overly active on the outreached field, such as visiting danger prone areas disregarding whether it is day or night.”

He believes that there is no such legal limitation nor any universal gender extremist societal prejudices denying women to compete for the elections. “The number of tickets being allocated to women by major political parties is simply a matter of strategy because we should also take into consideration the population statistical fact that women outnumber men. Thus being involved is a matter of will and choice.” 

Ayesha Bibi Dookhith : “The patriarchal mindset should be amended” 

The participation of women in politics has always been the subject of much discussion, avers Ayesha. “The problem lies not in getting them into politics, but in keeping their interest in the matter. Too often, they tend to get discouraged by the barriers imposed on women politicians. Also, many women are too hesitant, lacking the necessary confidence to evolve among so-called “superior” male politicians. Changing the laws can facilitate women’s participation.” 

Coupled with law amendments, Ayesha believes that people’s current mindsets really need to evolve into something more constructive for women. “Men should amend their patriarchal mindset and acknowledge that women are their equals, as regards intelligence and their ability to lead a party or run a country. There is still a very long way to go; there is a real need for a positive change in mentality even from women themselves and men have to learn to accept women as future political leaders.” 

Hania Dookhan : “A change in mentality is mandatory” 

To encourage women in politics, lots of ideas have cropped up, prominent among them is the requirement to change laws so as to favour women or there should be a tremendous change in people’s mentality, recalls Hania. “Amending the laws to give women preference in politics will not be a good idea. Moreover, any law which will be inconsistent with the Constitution of Mauritius should be considered as null and void. But it is high time for us to shift from that old school of thoughts, according to which politics is only for men and not for women.” She further adds, “A change in mentality is mandatory because women are as competent as men. Across the world women have occupied important positions in parliament.” 

Rajnee : “Significant alterations to our laws”

Rajnee underlines that the traditional and cultural male-female roles need a facelift so as to balance and establish an environment that empowers women’s political participation at all levels of decision-making. “Research and experience have documented that gender diversity yields better outcomes in political decision-making and that women’s role in local and national political processes significantly expands democratic outcomes. Therefore, significant alterations to our laws are necessary to inspire women to join politics since in today’s world, both genders have equal rights.”