The Ladakhi women 8 March demanded political reservation for the womenfolk in Ladakh Autonomous Hills Development Councils (LAHDCs) and condemned the male leadership of Ladakh for ignoring their demands.
The demand was made during an International Women’s Day function in which leaders of the women’s wings of prominent socio-religious organisations of Ladakh including the Ladakh Buddhist Association, Anjuman-e-Imamia, and Anjuman Moin-ul-Islam participated.
During the programme, a special session on ‘Political representation of women in Ladakh’ was held wherein they demanded reservations for women in the LAHDCs.
Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA) women’s representative Kunzes Dolma said, “Women wings of socio-religious organisations of Ladakh recently approached the Ministry of Home Affairs and put forth their demand of 33 percent seat reservation in LAHDCs. We are hopeful that it will be implemented soon.”
Anjuman-e-Moin-ul-Islam Women’s Wing President Aisha Malo said, “Ladakhi women should come at the forefront and raise their demand as the existing male leadership failed to put forth the demand of 33 percent reservation of seats for women in LAHDC at any platform.”
Anjuman Imamia Leh President Nasreen Maryam said, “In Leh, women voters outnumber male voters and those who are in power should remember that they were elected due to the votes of women.”
The other speakers urged the parents and the society to not only educate the girl child but also encourage their active participation in politics.
Notably, there has been almost no political representation of women in Ladakh and, presently, there is only one female member (nominated) in LAHDC, Leh.
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