Copyright thehindu
“Do not expect a red-carpet welcome just because you are a woman. Be resilient in overcoming stiff challenges and remain steadfast in pursuing goals that serve the public interest without yielding to external influences,” are the words of wisdom that Soumini Jain, the lone surviving woman to have served as Kochi Mayor, has for the next woman set to don the mayoral robe. The city is set to usher in its third woman Mayor following the upcoming local body elections. Ms. Jain of the United Democratic Front (UDF) was the second woman to hold the post, following the Left Democratic Front’s Mercy Williams, who served from 2005 to 2010. Ms. Williams passed away in 2014. Ms. Jain’s term from 2015 to 2020 was far from smooth. She faced challenges even within her party, yet managed to complete her full term despite intermittent calls for her removal. Professionally, she had to deal with the 2018 floods and the pandemic during the fag end of her tenure. “I was known more for the difficulties I had to face, which were well documented by the media. But I would like to believe that my stint as Mayor was defined more by how I overcame those challenges and by what I ultimately achieved,” she recalls. Ms. Jain was not a seasoned politician but a homemaker thrust into politics. The Congress elevated her to the post of Mayor after giving her a term as chairperson of the works standing committee in the Kochi Corporation Council led by Tony Chammany as Mayor. “When a woman is elevated to a position of power, people tend to expect corruption-free governance and high competency, considering her ability to manage a household,” she says. But reality struck when she began working. “Political interventions made life difficult, and pursuing public-interest projects was misconstrued as attempts at personal glory. Things have improved since then, but during my term, I had to confront deep-rooted patriarchy embedded in our culture, even among officials. I had experienced it even before becoming Mayor, during my time as chairperson of the works standing committee,” Ms. Jain recollects. She adds that being a woman Mayor came with a ‘curiosity quotient’, which showed in the large number of functions she was invited to attend. “While pleasant, it took a toll on my work. It would be better to spare the new Mayor from such engagements, at least during office hours, so she can focus on her responsibilities,” Ms. Jain suggests. “Regardless of gender or political affiliation, the person chosen as Mayor should be given the freedom to work in the interest of society,” she concludes, adding that she remains available for any responsibility the party may entrust to her. Meanwhile, apart from the Corporation, 38 panchayats, seven municipalities, and seven block panchayats will be led by women for the next five years. Muvattupuzha, Kothamangalam, Perumbavoor, Aluva, Angamaly, Eloor, and Maradu will have women chairpersons.
