GENDER, GROWTH AND GOVERNANCE:

CROSS-CUTTING ISSUES
Dr V. Basil Hans MA., MPhil, PhD
Mangalore

Introduction
Increased Autonomy for women: decisionmaking - democracy and governance related
Productive Labor and Participatory Citizenship
Engendered Governance and Leadership
HDI, GEM, CEDAW, MDGs, SHGs, PRI reforms
73rd and 74th CAAs

Gender, Economy and Equity

Better half but rights denial
Low wages; lost identity and productivity ,
equity; lackluster entrepreneurship
Unorganized Labor; unrecorded/unpaid work
Need for sustainability and security through
good governance
Un-built/underused capacity

Gender, Politics and Governance

Women as voter, reps, leaders: academic and
public debate
Low representation in Parliament, numerically
Dejure rights, not defacto?
Waste of resources, no voice/choice
Low support mechanisms in and outside the
family

Local Governance
PRI I million active women today, still a long
way to go
Risen from 4-5 per cent to 25-40 per cent
Women, not interested in politics: myth!
Power received is not charity but negotiated
Power as a source of growth- enforce equity
Best practice in grassroots democracy
Change for the better from absolute nobody to
one with power to decide

Conclusion
Suggestions
1. Translate gender commitments to budget and
governance commitments
2. Value of franchise, leadership
3. Seek equality with dignity and accountability
4. Work-life balance; inclusive governance
5. Social infrastructure development
Vibrant grassroots democracy with capacitybuilding with adequate caring and sharing, not
only (burden)bearing.

Last but not the least

We feel the need for a coherent and collective
effort for womens active role in economy,
polity and society
There is overwhelming evidence that higher
growth rate engenders greater reduction in
poverty.
Let us grow and govern together!