The poser in the column "The big two" (Swot, April 24) about gender equality (and foreign direct investment) not being a part of the current election campaign is worth considering. As regards the former, male hypocrisy in dealing with women concerns is one of the contributors to this. Though men talk about the role of women in nation building, the two major political parties have just about 10 per cent of women candidates out of the 800-plus candidates in these elections. Besides, when seasoned leaders such as Mulayam Singh Yadav talk of rape being a pardonable mistake committed by boys, they are most likely echoing the prevailing male prejudice against women's dignity. The failure to pass the women's seat reservation Bill in Parliament is yet another indicator of social perception.
Widespread apathy towards women in the political process also adds to this issue. Most of them don't have political convictions and vote according to the wishes of their family. So, the real issue is that India lacks bold leaders who can take up the cause of women to correct the social perception.
Y G Chouksey Pune
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