From redefining traditional roles to spearheading critical discussions on global issues, women are carving out their space and reshaping the country

I believe every Indian woman can seek inspiration from legendary individuals like Gargi, that extraordinary Indian woman sage, who is said to have challenged her seniors with disturbing questions on the nature of human existence and the life of the soul. Gargi’s example reminds us that if a woman can contemplate the origin of the universe, then there is no field of activity or realm of thought that is not within her reach. In our time, women are breaching traditional bastions and excelling in their professional roles. They do so because women before them have fought even tougher battles. For instance, the field of foreign relations and diplomacy was, for long, the exclusive preserve of men. The very thought that statecraft, the conduct of relations between sovereign countries, could involve women was anathema, even up to a few decades ago. Today, the Indian Foreign Service can proudly count in its ranks a growing number of women Ambassadors and High Commissioners, not to mention all its other women diplomats, who represent India abroad, apart from women who handle complex assignments at the headquarters of the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi. What is the impact women have on public life? First, women push our institutions to be more open and responsive. Second, women ask us all to re-examine the traditional goals and priorities that we have set, to step back for a moment, and to examine the larger picture. Are the goals and principles we set for ourselves as societies conducive to building a humane and civilised world? Even there, we try not to lose a sense of the detail, like the ancient Sanskrit saying: samcedamvicapasyema: May we see the world as a whole, may we see it in detail. Third, women bring a different set of skills in conflict management and problem-solving. These can often provide solutions and offer alternatives that are not one-sided and hence acceptable to many stakeholders. Indra Nooyi once said that our task is to create a world in which we feel safe, settled and happy. And, we must ask questions. How have we as women fared in democracy? And, are we the beneficiaries of globalisation? Does multiculturalism promote gender welfare and equality? Do our women enjoy full and equal citizenship? The hurdle of complete literacy is yet to be crossed. Violence is a companion in many women’s lives. Rape, molestation and sexual harassment are other manifestations of violence against women – literally examples of war against women in peacetime.

Patriarchal structures perpetuate female inequality. More active participation of women in governance can help bring the issues that affect their well-being onto the highest political agenda of government. More women in India are also voluntarily exercising their constitutional right of adult suffrage which is a positive and encouraging trend in Indian politics.

The representation of more women in Parliament and legislative institutions across the country is a critical necessity. Today, the national average is only 14 per cent. The passage of the Bill in September 2023 by both Houses of Parliament to reserve one-thirds of seats in the Lok Sabha and State legislative Assemblies for women was a landmark development which it is hoped will fundamentally alter the landscape of women empowerment in our country.

Our women need more visibility. Society is beginning to recognise that women are not victims, they want agency, they have chosen survival, that gender justice is what the women of India want. The tide is slowly turning against what has been referred to as the “cultures of silence and impunity” surrounding women.

Decision-making and the prioritisation of issues that affect human security have to involve women and men, not just men alone. Democracy, human rights, development and good governance are of concern to women as much as men. Eleanor Roosevelt once said: “Too often the great decisions are originated and given form in bodies made up wholly of men, or so completely dominated by them that whatever of special value women have to offer is shunted aside without expression”. This can change only if more and more women enter and occupy positions in public service. As an example, women need to be more involved in determining the future trajectory of many issues of foreign policy concern for India, whether they are border and territorial questions, neighbourhood policy, trade and inter-connectivity, regional economic cooperation and security, energy security, politico-military issues, and public diplomacy, to name a few. This will help better mainstreaming of gender-related issues also into the working of our foreign policy and bring new perspectives to bear on policy concerning our neighbours, in particular. Women can bring courage and resilience of the feminine sort into the public sphere, a concept of sisterhood that is focused on long-term solutions to problems, the building of common ground, and the creation of cross-border synergies for peace and reconciliation. Preparing our women and skilling them in the art of negotiation and empowering them to build peace is key. I believe, like many of my sisters, that history can and must be pushed in a positive direction. We can do it.

(The author is a former Foreign Secretary and was Ambassador of India to China and the US; views are personal)