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Women Welfare / Development

Women power all the way in Kochi Corporation

Tuesday, 19 October 2010 11:39 administrator
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The New Indian Express  19.10.2010

Women power all the way in Kochi Corporation

KOCHI: With 50 percent seats reserved for women, the local body elections will see a cluster of areas represented by women, as a group of seats from certain areas has fallen into the reserved category.

In West Kochi, Mundamveli (division number 22), Moolamkuzhi (24), Chullickal (25), Nazarath (26) and Amaravathy (28) are nearby seats contested by women, while nearby divisions of Edappally (37), Devankulangara (38), Karukapilly (39), Mamangalam (40) and Vennala (42) are represented by women. There are also  Vyttila (49), Champakkara (50), Poonithura (51), Vyttila Janatha (52) and Ponnurunni (53), Girinagar (55) and Panampilly Nagar (56) coming next to each other. Perumanoor (60), Ravipuram (61), Ernakulam South (62), and Kaloor South (65), Ernakulam Central (66) and Ayyappankaavu (68) are also neighbouring divisions from where women are contesting.  

The reservation has thrown out some prominent figures from various parties from their regular seats. They have lost the opportunity to contest from a familiar territory altogether.

Those from the LDF like C K Manisankar (Poonithura), N A Mani (Edappally), E M Sunil Kumar (Pachalam) and Adv N Sasi (Devankulangara), and those from the UDF like David Parambithara (Ravipuram) and T K Padmanabhan Master (Girinagar) are some of the prominent figures who are not contesting this time despite winning several times from the same seats. Though some of them have opted out due to other reasons, some others are not contesting as they are not interested in trying their luck in unfamiliar areas.

“Personal relationships are important in local elections. There is no point in contesting from an unfamiliar place. There will be local leaders in those areas, too,” said David Parambithara.

Adv N Sasi said, “If efficient candidates are contesting from these areas there won’t be much problem. But sometimes women contesting for the first time won’t be familiar with the issues plaguing those areas. If there are experienced councillors in the nearby divisions, it will help them perform better with their co-operation. But if all the neighbouring divisions are represented by first-timers, they might face some problems.”   

Some like A B Sabu (UDF) has opted to contest from Island North, an unfamiliar territory though a UDF bastion.

E M Sunil Kumar (LDF) who represented the last council is being replaced by his wife Sindhu Sunil Kumar who has won from this seat earlier, too. T K Padmanabhan Master (UDF) is being replaced by his wife Bhama Padmanabhan, and K J Prakashan by his wife Mary Calista Prakashan.

A women candidate from the BJP said the problem with reserved seats grouped together is that by the time the candidates learn the tricks of the trade these seats will be in the general category and then they won’t be able to contest again next time. But former Deputy Mayor C K Manisankar said there is no problem with this arrangement. “This will give opportunity to new people.”

Last Updated on Tuesday, 19 October 2010 11:41
 

Skills for women to cope with challenges of public office

Thursday, 14 October 2010 10:11 administrator
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The Hindu  14.10.2010

Skills for women to cope with challenges of public office

Sangeetha Unnithan

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Knowing to drive a vehicle may not give you extra mileage as a candidate for the forthcoming local body elections. But, former women representatives cite driving as a top priority skill to be mastered by public representatives. Given the extent of travel, odd timings of their work and tightly packed schedule, driving can come in handy, they said when asked about the practical challenges that newly elected women representatives may face while working in the public sphere.

“It is true that not all women in the fray can afford a vehicle of their own. But it is also true that no panchayat or municipality can offer conveyance facility to every member. Depending on public transport can be very inconvenient for our schedules. So if you learn driving, it will make you feel independent,” says the former Shankhumukham councillor Mary Viji.

While there cannot be a finite working space for public representatives who have to scout around their wards, meeting people and discussing issues most of the time, ensuring basic working conditions and facilities at their respective panchayat or Corporation office is crucial, she said.

“At the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation office, for example, we have just one small room and bathroom for all the women councillors. Even to make a call, we have to go to some standing committee chairperson's office,” Ms. Viji said.

‘Ensure family support'

The former Kunnathukal panchayat member Shalini R.S. says restrictions imposed by immediate family members can be a dampener. “I know many women members who have strict directions from their husband or people at home to be back by 6 p.m. As a public person, you are expected to be available at any hour of the day. There will be discussions and party meetings that may extend late into the evening. This can be challenging, especially when you have to juggle your responsibilities at home and work. But if you have the backing of your family, nothing is impossible,” said Ms Shalini, who is also contesting this time as the CPI candidate from Kunnathukal.

“Many newcomers, especially those who have no public service background, do not know the issues confronting the State. This can be a problem when they become the voice of the people and speak for their needs and rights,'' said the former Amburi panchayat president Lali John.

‘Stand your ground'

District panchayat member An Sajitha Ressal says most importantly the fact that they are women should not affect their work.

“The newcomers should learn to take a stand. Most of the time, it I seen women who enter the field prefer to take the party stance, even if it is an issue close to their heart, like women's issues. As long as this remains the trend, we will not achieve anything despite 50 per cent reservation,'' said Ms. Ressel who is contesting as the UDF candidate from Poovachal division this time.

Last Updated on Thursday, 14 October 2010 10:13
 

Provide shelter to 8 homeless women: HC to Thane civic body

Monday, 11 October 2010 10:24 administrator
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Hindustan Times  11.10.2010

Provide shelter to 8 homeless women: HC to Thane civic body

The Bombay High Court has asked the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) to provide temporary accommodation to eight women who were rendered homeless after the civic body razed their hutments at the Sainath Nagar slums in Kalwa on October 6. A specially constituted bench on Sunday asked the TMC to

Advocate Matthew Nedumpara, who is representing the women, said justice DY Chandrachud spoke to him on Sunday and told him about the directions given to the TMC.

AL Jarhad, Thane district collector, confirmed the development. He said: “We will provide them temporary accommodation at Shanti Sadan Shashkiya Mahila Hostel at Ulhasnagar.”

Nedumpara said 270 people were affected by the demolition and they may also approach the court for relief.

One of the petitioners, Anita Wakde, had delivered a baby a few days ago, while another petitioner had lost her minor child. They had no place to live and the high court order allowing demolition of their homes had left them shattered,” said Nedumpara.

The high court had constituted a special bench on October 9 after the group of women attempted to stage a dharna at the residence of the Chief Justice. They were stopped by the Malabar Hill police.

Last Updated on Monday, 11 October 2010 10:27
 
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