Lack of Women Representation in Lucknow University Teachers Association (LUTA)
The Lucknow University Teachers Association (LUTA) is all set to have only one woman representative in its new body, down from the already meager number of two. Mrinalini Singh, the Law faculty representative, has been elected unopposed as the only woman member in the LUTA body, while all other key positions, such as president, general secretary, vice president, treasurer, or joint secretary, have only male candidates in the contest.
According to Rajiv Manohar, returning officer for LUTA elections, women teachers account for almost 30% of the total 378 voters. However, the lack of interest of women teachers in contesting LUTA elections has resulted in a severe lack of representation for women in the association.
Professor Vineet Kumar Verma, LUTA president, believes that the disinterest of women teachers in LUTA polls could be due to their lack of interest in contesting elections. However, Professor Nishi Pandey, who contested the LUTA president’s elections in the early 2000s, argues that the Lucknow University system is deeply entrenched in a patriarchal mindset, where any woman candidate’s entry into the elections becomes a gender battle.
The upcoming LUTA poll, scheduled for April 29, has three male candidates vying for the post of LUTA chief and an equal number of male candidates for general secretary. Five male candidates are contesting for the three vice-president posts, and only three candidates have been elected unopposed as joint secretaries.
The lack of women’s representation in LUTA is a concerning issue that needs to be addressed. Women’s participation and representation in higher education institutions must be encouraged to create an inclusive environment. LUTA needs to undertake measures to ensure equal participation and representation of women in the association’s decision-making process.
Re-Reported from the story originally published in Hindustan Times
