THINK!

There are very few countries in the world where women are increasingly participating in the mainstream of national development! The United States of America and India are the two most outstanding examples of women contributing in every facet of ordinary life. Similarly, China, Russia, Iran and Saudi Arabia are the extreme examples of women subjugation. The world has seen the political battles of Hillary Rodham Clinton and Sarah Palin in last year’s presidential election. Few have noticed the political power of Sonia Gandhi, Mayawati, Jayalalithaa Jayaram and Mamata Banerjee in India. There are some countries where women participation is more of a token rather than genuine evolution. I would put Germany, United Kingdom, Turkey, Israel, Argentina, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Philippines in that category.

Since we live in America, the rise of women power is gradual but noticeable. What has caught my attention is the rise of women in India and equally the absence of women power in China. Both these countries aspire to be global powers some day. The denial of women’s rightful place in the society would become a major test of their full potential. No country can afford the neglect of women and therefore 50% of their God-given potential in rising the next generation of their workforce. China faces the twin challenge of an aging population and the absence of women participation in their decision making process. It is not enough to have a few women standing in as reporters and anchors of news channels or play a prop in male-dominated movies. What is required is a full participation of women in politics, judiciary, legislative bodies, administration, academia, business, defence and law enforcement agencies. But the crucial test would be the distribution of decision making powers.