Lok Sabha MP and DMK deputy general secretary Kanimozhi Karunanidhi is fiery, fierce and a fervent advocate of women’s empowerment, having organised several programmes to spearhead this in Tamil Nadu. She feels that unless more women join politics, women’s perspectives will not be represented. Otherwise men will continue to make the policies, and women’s needs and priorities will go unrecognised, she tells THE WEEK.
In any field, but particularly in politics, a woman faces a lot of resistance. Even if she does join politics, people want her to be voiceless, someone who only follows conventional rules. Women politicians are not taken seriously, and they do not want you to be fighting for your right to be taken seriously. Everyone is happy if there is a woman representative, even if in the local body, but when the person who actually makes the decisions is a man―her father, brother or husband. But if you are an assertive woman who wants to make a difference, people find it difficult to accept that. That is when the allegations, the character assassination, aggression and slander begin.
When a woman speaks, she will not be heard, but if a man copies what she said, he will be taken seriously―I have seen this many times in local bodies and other political spaces. Society does not respond to a woman’s point of view; it only responds to the woman. Maybe it is a mental block in men that they don’t listen to women’s voices. We need more women in politics who are independent, believe they have a right to their opinion and the right to make the changes they believe in. Political parties should not restrict, but rather encourage such women.
It is high time there are Vishaka Committees (to prevent sexual harassment at the workplace) in politics as well. Every corporate office has it, so why can’t political parties? Women in politics need extraordinary grit to face challenges like sexual harassment or abuse.
Women need to fight a double battle to succeed in politics. This is difficult for anyone, but for women it becomes doubly so. We have to be prepared for that, because things are not going to change overnight. What women need first and foremost is to believe in themselves. Because for generations, we have been brought up to believe that we are not equal or as good as men. Because of this, every time a woman gets a recognition, she immediately asks herself whether she deserves it. Whereas a man who does not deserve it will accept it easily. I think women should have a thick skin to handle all this.
In my life, too, I fought this double battle. I faced so many challenges, aggression and character assassination. I was a reluctant politician. The 2G spectrum case shaped me as one. It taught me so many lessons. It also taught me how dispensable a woman is considered. At every stage of my political career, there were abuses thrown at me. But after a point, you realise that these people don’t know what you actually stand for. They create what they think will defeat you. I have understood that I am not answerable to anyone. I find some of the questions they ask me to be ridiculous, and wonder how they even have the guts to ask them. They wouldn’t ask a man these stupid things. So why should I take it to heart or allow it to hurt me?
Every day, when I speak or put out a tweet, trolls pounce on me. Every day I hear men say that I am not equal to them. They say, for example, that I am “illegitimate”. How can I be illegitimate? I exist. I don’t need a father, brother, husband or son to prove who I am. I don’t know how anyone can decide who is legitimate and who is illegitimate. Everyone who exists in this world is legitimate, and so am I. I have a passport. I am a citizen of this country.
More women should come into politics. Only then will their voices be heard. Otherwise men will continue to create the policies. Reservation for women will certainly ensure this, even though there is the risk of proxies. Only if there are more women can we get women’s perspectives into politics. To understand a woman’s needs and priorities, we need more women leaders. One must also ensure a safe space for women―safe from sexual and physical abuse and mental torture―and take strict action against anyone who treats a woman badly. Women want equal opportunities as men.
My father Kalaignar (M. Karunanidhi, former chief minister of Tamil Nadu) is my mentor and my inspiration. But apart from him, I admire every woman politician. And not just the leaders, but also the many panchayat and ward councillors who are fighting for their rights; they are all an inspiration when I hear their stories. I admire every woman in this country, whether I agree with them or not, because they have fought the system and shown that we can win.
Every woman, whether in politics or otherwise, is asked how she balances her personal and professional life. But this question is never directed at a man. No one ever asked my father this, even though he has done zillions of interviews. Does he not have a home or personal life? I feel such questions are ridiculous. Society has to get rid of this mindset. I think how I balance my personal and professional life is not something that others need to know. In my personal life, I am answerable only to my family.
―As told to Lakshmi Subramanian