As the upcoming election draws near, women have emerged as a crucial voting demographic, with their significance highlighted in speeches and campaign promises. However, amidst this heightened attention, a pertinent question arises: what if women remain unconvinced?
Insights from Round 3 of the People’s Election Pulse Survey (PEPS) conducted by Innovision Consulting shed light on the dynamics of female voter sentiment. Notably, a persistent gender gap in political decision-making has been observed throughout the survey waves. Female respondents consistently lag behind men in finalizing their voting choices, with around 23% of women remaining undecided compared to 16% of men in Round 3.
This disparity indicates more than fleeting uncertainty; it reflects deeper complexities in women’s political preferences. Despite clear priorities such as affordable essentials, law and order, safety, education, employment, and peace, many women express skepticism about the responsiveness of electoral politics to their concerns.
Conversations with randomly selected undecided female voters revealed a spectrum of disengagement shaped by various factors. Working-class women cited immediate economic challenges as barriers to political optimism, while middle-income homemakers expressed fatigue from perceived political corruption and inefficacy. Gen Z women, in particular, questioned the impact of elections on their future, highlighting a broader disillusionment with traditional political narratives.
The common thread among these experiences is a disillusionment with the ability of electoral politics to effect meaningful change in women’s lives. Despite being pivotal to various aspects of society, from household economies to community stability, women feel that their priorities are consistently overlooked by political actors.
The sustained indecision among women underscores a systemic lack of confidence in the political system, emphasizing the need for substantive governance that addresses women’s concerns beyond token gestures. To regain women’s trust and active participation in the electoral process, political parties must demonstrate tangible improvements in key areas like price stability, safety, healthcare, education, and corruption control.
As the election looms, the onus is on the incoming government to heed this warning and prioritize policies that resonate with women’s lived experiences. Symbolic gestures and rhetoric alone will not bridge the gap between women and political institutions. Real, impactful change is essential to re-engage women in the democratic process and foster a more inclusive and responsive political landscape.