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Did you miss the brilliant reporting by @NWM_India journalists this election season? As the dust settles on another round of heated campaigning across the country and as polling booths close, here are the highlights of what became of our female politicians and voters in 2021.
Kicking things off was @kalpana1947 on the Women's Reservation Bill that is languishing in Parliament, and why no political party is too keen to give its mandatory reservations legal heft. https://www.nwmindia.org/blog/2021-assembly-elections/whos-afraid-of-women-in-politics/
"If you want to boast about democracy, you must make sure everyone is fairly represented — in voting, in contesting, in cabinet appointments, and thereafter. Democracy is equal access and equal voice." Read political scientist @swarraj here. https://www.nwmindia.org/blog/2021-assembly-elections/power-and-prejudice/
Kerala's Mahila Congress President Lathika Subhash delivered a jaw-dropper to TV audiences when she tonsured her head in front of the @INCIndia state HQ, protesting the abysmal presence of women in their candidate list, Sarita Mohanan Bhama writes. https://www.nwmindia.org/blog/2021-assembly-elections/women-in-kerala-politics-the-bald-truth/
The tokenism showed to women voters in Assam is largely meaningless, @durbaghosh12
says, when they have little political/economic representation. https://www.nwmindia.org/blog/2021-assembly-elections/a-womens-manifesto-in-assam/
says, when they have little political/economic representation. https://www.nwmindia.org/blog/2021-assembly-elections/a-womens-manifesto-in-assam/
@MamataOfficial as Bengal's first woman chief minister has been credited with constructive work, setting a good example of hard work and dedication. However, political violence and corruption continue to dog her tenure. Read @MeManjira https://www.nwmindia.org/blog/2021-assembly-elections/mamata-banerjee-and-the-battle-for-bengal/
But will Nandigram, which once propelled @MamataOfficial to power, choose her again in her time of need against @BJP4India, Rajashri Dasgupta asks. https://www.nwmindia.org/blog/2021-assembly-elections/will-nandigrams-daughters-choose-banglar-meye/
Missed the primer by @nehadixit123 & @Raksha_Kumar on how journalists can tamp down their internalised misogyny during election season? Watch their discussion here https://www.nwmindia.org/blog/2021-assembly-elections/is-he-said-she-said-enough/
"Let @MamataOfficial wear Bermudas." & "A woman in a saree showing her legs repeatedly is not Bengal’s culture." Sexist comments from political rivals sunk to a new low after Mamta's injury, @ShikhaMKol wrote. https://www.nwmindia.org/blog/2021-assembly-elections/regarding-the-pain-of-women/
Casual misogyny reared its head in Tamil Nadu next, where campaigners commented freely on (il)legitimate relationships, women's bodies and who should buy sanitary napkins. @kavithamurali took on the unhappy job of compiling these comments. https://www.nwmindia.org/blog/2021-assembly-elections/sexism-on-the-political-stage/
As Bollywood continues to keep mum on rising fascism in Indian, artists from Bengal's film, theatre and television industries stepped up instead with a protest song that rode the popular airwaves. @Shrabonti bridges the past and present of protest music. https://www.nwmindia.org/blog/2021-assembly-elections/bengali-protest-songs-past-and-present/
Despite more female than male registered voters, Puducherry's women have little political clout. Read Dr Vidyaa Ramkumar's views on their discontent. https://www.nwmindia.org/blog/2021-assembly-elections/the-gender-gap-in-puducherry/
@durbaghosh12 writes that Assam’s districts have been undertaking Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation programmes to improve female turnout. There are polling stations with all-female staff & voter awareness ads on gas cylinders. https://www.nwmindia.org/blog/2021-assembly-elections/drop-in-number-of-women-candidates-in-assam-assembly-polls/
Despite Kerala’s political parties displaying a very poor record of fielding women candidates, those that did make it have really inspiring stories. @varshapillai introduces journalists, lawyers and the "covid-slayer" contesting seats in Kerala's Assembly. https://www.nwmindia.org/blog/women-candidates/
Next check out a photo essay here by Sarita Mohanan Bhama on polling day in Kerala. https://www.nwmindia.org/blog/2021-assembly-elections/centenarians-skirmishes-and-ppe-clad-voters-polling-day-anecdotes-from-kerala/
And finally, a new ad by @PoliticalShakti & @techyswati on why gender parity in politics is important. https://www.nwmindia.org/blog/2021-assembly-elections/half-is-us-half-is-ours-watch-a-new-psa-for-gender-parity-in-elections/
A shoutout to @ammujo53 @SupriyaUnniNair @chasingiamb & @AnniePhilip140 who co-ordinated reporting from across the country this election season for our gender, media and election blog. Follow our handle for the latest updates & perspectives when election results are announced.
