In Goa at the Panchayat and Municipal level we have seats that are reserved for women. This is a step in the right direction to encourage women to play their role in the political arena and to serve the society at the grassroot level.
But unfortunately, we have been sadly witnessing that in many cases the ladies elected are only on paper while their effective role is factually being unlawfully played by their spouse, brother or at times some other relative. The lady candidates like all others must be selected and elected on their own merit and aptitude, not as a front or smoke screen for others to run the show. They must not be puppets on a string manipulated and pushed along the way with no say. This defeats the very purpose of reserving seats for women which is meant for ensuring their empowerment.
The responsibilities of a lady elected candidate being done by a proxy is unacceptable. Before contesting any election the lady candidate must be absolutely confident that she would be able to fulfill the duties and responsibilities of the post she is contesting. She needs to realize that serving as a Ward member whether at the Panchayat or Municipal level is a full time job requiring all the patience and desire to redress public grievances.
A lady who cannot discharge her duties of the elected post independently must quit and make way for another lady worthy to take up the challenge of serving the community. The people deserve the benefit of the good ideas and actions of those they elect in good faith, not of those in the shadows. A mockery should not be made of the good intentions of the lawmakers who framed the policy to encourage women to contribute their bit to public life.
Never dull your shine for somebody else. To shine your brightest light, you need to be and represent who you truly are. If you cannot be uniquely you, then please do the honourable thing and let someone else capable of standing on her own two feet take your place.
