Traditionally, women in Bihar have taken a back seat and mostly restricted themselves to their homes leaving all external interaction to men. Winds are changing. The record turnout of women during the 1st phase of voting is a testimony to this change. During 2010 assembly elections too, women came out to vote in greater numbers than men.
Earlier, women would merely go and vote as per ‘instruction’ from their menfolk. Those days are now becoming rare. The women in Bihar today are very aware of their political and social rights, even in rural areas. In fact, the change is perhaps even more evident in rural areas.
These elections have seen a record number of women candidates who will be contesting. Irrespective of results, the fact that political parties are beginning to realize their significance, is an important change in itself. It is not uncommon to see women confidently moving from door-to-door canvassing either for themselves or their party members.
Women in Bihar have made significant inroads in areas like teaching and social services. Women are now the driving force behind the ‘Anganwadi’ scheme as also many self-help groups that have mushroomed and are fully utilizing the services of micro-finance to change the quality of life. Nitish Kumar has been quick to realize this and pushed for girl-friendly schemes like Mukhyamantri Balika Cycle Yojana in 2007, which played an important role in voting him back to power.
The change from 2010 to these elections is that mobile phones have dramatically increased their penetration and therefore, have become a driving catalyst for information and awareness. The youth in Bihar, particularly young girls, have greater professional aspiration today and are now willing to step outside their homes and state to pursue their career ambitions. 2015 will be the platform to express their political choice.
These elections are critical for not just two political alliances or two leaders, but are going to be a game changer for women, irrespective of which alliance comes to power, and that’s great news for women of Bihar. Women, without doubt, will form the driving force for social change that the nation expects to see in Bihar. This year is definitely going to prove to be a defining moment for them.
Traditionally, women in Bihar have taken a back seat and mostly restricted themselves to their homes leaving all external interaction to men. Winds are changing. The record turnout of women during the 1st phase of voting is a testimony to this change. During 2010 assembly elections too, women came out to vote in greater numbers than men.
Earlier, women would merely go and vote as per ‘instruction’ from their menfolk. Those days are now becoming rare. The women in Bihar today are very aware of their political and social rights, even in rural areas. In fact, the change is perhaps even more evident in rural areas.
These elections have seen a record number of women candidates who will be contesting. Irrespective of results, the fact that political parties are beginning to realize their significance, is an important change in itself. It is not uncommon to see women confidently moving from door-to-door canvassing either for themselves or their party members.
Women in Bihar have made significant inroads in areas like teaching and social services. Women are now the driving force behind the ‘Anganwadi’ scheme as also many self-help groups that have mushroomed and are fully utilizing the services of micro-finance to change the quality of life. Nitish Kumar has been quick to realize this and pushed for girl-friendly schemes like Mukhyamantri Balika Cycle Yojana in 2007, which played an important role in voting him back to power.
The change from 2010 to these elections is that mobile phones have dramatically increased their penetration and therefore, have become a driving catalyst for information and awareness. The youth in Bihar, particularly young girls, have greater professional aspiration today and are now willing to step outside their homes and state to pursue their career ambitions. 2015 will be the platform to express their political choice.
These elections are critical for not just two political alliances or two leaders, but are going to be a game changer for women, irrespective of which alliance comes to power, and that’s great news for women of Bihar. Women, without doubt, will form the driving force for social change that the nation expects to see in Bihar. This year is definitely going to prove to be a defining moment for them.
