Ibrahim Ismail (Ibra) has chosen Fathimath Nahid Shakir as his running mate in the coming election. Nahid Shakir has been working in the education sector for over 14 years. She is also one of the wives of popular reformist and former MDP member X-ray Athif.Choosing Nahid is obviously a calculated move by the Social Liberal Party to try to buy women's votes, and perhaps show that they are indeed liberal and sensitive to social issues. I believe that the outcome of such a move in Maldives would be different from somewhere like the US. There are several reasons for this, including:
1) Although we like to believe otherwise, when it comes to politics, still a large proportion of Maldivian women either don't care much or would rather not have the "social turmoil" brought about by the reform movement. I am not discounting the fact that there are many women activists and even politicians in the reform movement, but the fact also remains that ordinary women in Male' and the atolls fall into the former category. It might even sound sexist, but I'm a woman myself and this is what I have seen among many of my associates - including many of the so-called educated women.
2) Many conservative Maldivians, especially the increasing religious fundamentalists would not want a woman to be vice president. This was supposedly one of the reasons why Anni could not choose Aminath Jameel as his running mate.
3) I also wonder whether in Maldivian politics, the running mate has much power to change the vote. Each of the current presidential candidates have a group of very loyal supporters, and it would take a VERY STRONG running mate from a rival group to change their vote. Take Anni, for example: would one of Anni's loyalists who has liberal thinking change their vote to Ibra, because Ibra's running mate is a woman?
4) Then there is the group of people who believe that having a woman vice-president is nothing more than a facade. We have had women ministers and senior governmment officials in the past, but has it helped the social issues much? Would this be any different?
So, has Ibra come up with the perfect ticket to win the elections? How many of us are going to be swayed by this move? Let me know what you think...
4 comments:
Anni "could not" choose a woman candidate due to religious opposition. Then how did Ibra "could"? Anni just isn't that assertive a person as he used to be, that's the conclusion I can draw.
Nahid is not "another Sarah Palin." In fact, it will be an insult to cite Palin's name along with Nahid. If you read up on Palin, she is a psychotic, evangelist Christian who believes in the crazy things taught by Orthodox Christian. In other words, Palin is an extreme extremist. See the YouTube videos of her or her earlier comments to many forums. Palin was chosen by McCaine because McCaine needs the support of half of Americans who are conservative psychos.
I see the comparison being a bit unjust as well.. but then again what do we know about Nahid for us to even not make such a comparison?
Being in the education sector for 14 years seem to be the only thing people know about her.. is that enough qualification to be a VP?
I do agree with some of your points.. but 4 doesnt sit well with me..
I am all for womens rights, and I believe a qualified female should be able to run, but it being any female doesnt justify it..
p.s I am not saying Nahid is not qualified just that I came empty handed when I tried to dig about her..
Hilath that's complete BS Anni is running around willing to do anything to get to the throne. Now that he's at the threshold he is willing to do anything to get to power. Look at the EC is that what you call democracy prevailing its just he can feel the power just like maumoon.He will deal with maumoon to get to it.
As far as the running mates are concerned my vote goes to ibra. Nahid has been serving this country maybe in the shadows but shes untainted by the politics. She hasn't left when the country needed her most. I admire the courage Ibra had in bringing a woman to the forefront. Eat your heart out Anni.Since when does no dirt mean negative?
Thanks for your comments guys.
According to my sources, Anni had wanted to nominate Aminath Jameel, but "could not", because of the opposition from the Dheenee Majlis inside MDP.
True, Nahid may not be an extremist conservative, but as Shanu said, what DO we know about Nahid?
I am not at all against Nahid becoming a VP, in fact, I'd be proud to have a woman VP...i just hope that it's the right choice :-)
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