Women in Political Leadership – Then to Now

The engrossing conversation between Prof. Rita Bahuguna Joshi, Swetha Kesineni and Usharani Manne captured the personal and political journeys of the veteran academician and politician. The discussion captured the emergence of women in politics in India, the need to and means of carving out a positive enabling environment alive with gender equality.

Said Prof. Rita Bahuguna Joshi, “I have seen several decades right from the conservative phase then came the phase of the struggle when women were going through a kind of emancipation, then I saw the empowerment phase. As far as politics stands, women still have to prove themselves a lot more than men to be considered worthy for the job. Political mentoring is essential to prepare women. We can start with social activity and local-level positions that can equip women with the skills necessary for higher levels of public office and careers in regional and national politics.

Swetha Kesineni, TDP mayoral candidate for Vijayawada, with her work in the political domains in both US and India, dwelt on the differential aspects of the two. She also spoke about her understanding of the current political climate for youth leaders.