Mysuru: With the State elections round the corner, MYTHRI, the Women’s PG Teachers Association of University of Mysore, as part of their monthly programme, had recently organised a discussion with members and had invited women to speak on the theme ‘Political Participation of Women’. The programme was organised in association with a Bangalore-based NGO Avala Hejje, that works for the empowerment of women.

It was a non political discussion to find out the reasons behind the lack of women participation in the political sphere. This was mainly to hear various voices of women folk about the issue. Members identified several reasons such as lack of education, lack of support from the family, lack of motivation and lack of encouragement as the main factors.

The members also came up with some resolutions which need to be incorporated in the coming days to make women more active in politics. They suggested that various political parties should provide reservation to women candidates while allotting party tickets to contest in elections to various democratic bodies. This gives greater visibility to women and their participation in decision-making bodies.

The members also felt that there must be a policy decision to uphold the dignity of women in politics and support t heir presence in politics. Prof. M. Indira, President of MYTHRI, Usha of Avala Hejje, Prof R. Indira, Prof. Prathibha, Dr. Jyothi, Dr. Lolakshi, Dr. Krishnaveni, Dr. Veena Mathad, Dr. Navitha Thimmaiah, Dr. Chaitra Bharath, Nandini Murthy and women research scholars and students participated. The programme was moderated by Dr. M.S. Sapna, Secretary, MYTHRI.