Women Quota needed

Tshering Tshomo from Zhemgang will cut a lonely figure in the National Council as the only woman candidate among the 20 elected candidates.

In the NC race of the 89 candidates there were only five women candidates.

Whenever the issue of women’s representation comes up the issue of merit always comes up.

If merit is the criteria, then both our houses should have a majority of women lawmakers because when one looks at the academic performance of girls in schools, then it is better than the boys.

When the issue of quota or reserving seats for women in the Parliament and Local Governments come up then two main arguments come up against it.

The first is that women are capable enough to be elected on their own ability and do not require special help.

The second argument is that it is not fair to have quotas and the people should get to decide who represents them and women should come forward on their own.

However, the ground reality is that under the current system women MPs are few and far in between.

The quota is not there to give women an unfair advantage, but it is to ensure that women are given their rights when our social, cultural, religious and even political forces are all deeply biased against their participation in politics.

Women are not on equal grounds when they compete with men in politics due to the above factors. The inherent bias against women participation is so deep that firstly women themselves are not confident to take part, and when they do take part they have to be twice as capable and hardworking as the men to even be taken seriously.

Ultimately we are damaging ourselves as a family unit, society and country when we do not have enough women leaders. We will miss their wisdom and inclusive all rounded approach on a host of issues and we will all be poorer and incomplete for it.

“We must raise both the ceiling and the floor.”
Sheryl Sandberg