Click to play videoShillong: For Meghalaya's social worker Ampreen Lyngdoh these are interesting times. A candidate for United Democratic Party (UDP) in Meghalaya for the coming Assembly polls, she goes around campaigning door to door in her constituency in Shillong.
But even for a state like Meghalaya, which has a matrilineal society, a women candidate like Ampreen is an oddity and she has a point to prove.
“A lot of women have applied for tickets for the ensuing elections but only one percent have been given the opportunity to participate actively,” Ampreen said.
Out of the 331 candidates contesting from different political parties, including the Congress, NCP and regional parties like the UDP only 19 candidates are women.
Although, women have been on the forefront of Meghalaya's society for ages, political representation for them has been miles way. And this time, too, the candidate representation from different political parties shows a marginal increase.
“When you talk about politics and participating in local durbars, we women are not allowed. I think it’s high time now that such things change,” a candidate of Lok Janshakti Party, Irene said.
And high time it may be for women's political empowerment in Meghalaya, however not all political parties may be in agreement with this thought.
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