Women Leadership In Southasia: A Myth Or A Reality
Himasweta Choudhury2017
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Abstract
There are certain common features that tie the South Asian states together like historical factors, geographical factors, common colonial past of most the South Asian states, economic underdevelopment of the region and gender discrimination. A gendered perspective is very important to understand the complexity of South Asian politics. Women leadership in South Asia has a specific significance. Gail Omvedt (2005, pg. 4746) calls it a paradox. She points out that South Asia has more powerful women politicians than any other set of countries in the world. Women have been prime ministers, leaders of major parties, heads of state and regional governments and at the same time overall women‟s participation is dismal. Jahan (1987) vividly portrays two images of women in politics in South Asia. “One image is that of powerful women leaders (Indira Gandhi, Srimavo Bandaranaike, Benazir Bhutto, Hasina Wazed, Khaleda Zia), swathed in beautiful traditional dresses, surrounded by party leaders who...
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