Reserved seats an affirmative action

AS reserved seats for women gain traction among the community, resistance also rises.
Reserved seats can be viewed as “affirmative action” as the government is taking positive steps to increase the number of women in parliament.
This action is needed as history has shown that women’s representation in parliament will not increase because of gender bias against women’s ability to provide sound political leadership.
Conversely and, more positively, we can also see this action as enhancing democracy.
We can learn from other countries how women contribute positively to the development of their nations through political participation and its effect on the overall socio-economic development.
In the post-war Rwanda, for example, affirmative action through constitutional change saw women win 45 of the 80 seats in parliament.
According to the Washington Post, political change has led to greater economic participation of women in Rwanda.
This surely is a positive move.
People are right to say that women should enter parliament through normal democratic process.
However, it only works when people compete on an equal footing.
That is not the case here.
People vote for those who satisfy their immediate needs and not according to the ability to serve.

Bella Francis
Via email