Women make up nearly 50% of India’s population, yet they are significantly underrepresented in political offices, decision-making bodies, and legislative assemblies. Over the years, there have been several efforts to increase women’s political participation, but challenges persist.
Current State of Women’s Representation in Indian Politics
India has seen incremental progress in terms of women holding public offices, but the numbers still fall short of the desired gender parity.
1. Lok Sabha (Lower House): In the 2019 general elections, a record number of 78 women were elected to the 17th Lok Sabha, constituting 14.4% of the 543-member House. While this was the highest percentage of women ever in the Lok Sabha, it remains far below global averages.
2. Rajya Sabha (Upper House): The representation of women in the Rajya Sabha is similarly low, with women making up around 10% of the membership.
3. State Legislatures: Women’s representation in state legislative assemblies varies across states but generally ranges between 5% to 15%. States like West Bengal and Bihar have higher representation, while others lag behind.
4. Local Governance: The 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments (1993) were groundbreaking in mandating 33% reservation for women in Panchayati Raj Institutions (local governance bodies).
While the Panchayati Raj system has been a success story, representation at the national and state levels has not followed the same trajectory. Structural, social, and political barriers continue to impede women’s full participation in the political arena.
Barriers to Women’s Representation in Politics
1. Patriarchy and Gender Bias: Patriarchal mindsets and entrenched gender norms often prevent women from entering politics or rising to positions of power. Women are still seen primarily as caregivers, and their political ambitions are frequently discouraged. Moreover, male-dominated political parties and institutions often marginalize women’s voices, creating a hostile environment for aspiring female politicians.
2. Political Violence and Intimidation: Women in politics often face violence, harassment, and intimidation, both online and offline. From character assassination to physical threats, the barriers to entry and survival in politics for women can be daunting. Many women refrain from joining politics due to concerns over safety and societal backlash.
3. Financial Constraints: Political campaigns are expensive, and women generally have less access to financial resources compared to their male counterparts.
4. Lack of Political Party Support: Political parties, particularly at the national level, often hesitate to field women candidates. While some parties claim to promote gender equality, women are often given tickets to contest in difficult-to-win constituencies. many qualified women are excluded from mainstream politics due to a lack of support from their own parties.
5. Socio-Economic Disparities: Women from marginalized communities, including Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and minority groups, face compounded challenges when attempting to enter politics. These women often lack access to education, resources, and networks, further reducing their chances of political participation.
6. Absence of Quotas in National and State Legislatures: One of the most debated aspects of women’s representation in Indian politics is the absence of gender quotas at the national and state levels. While local governance bodies have implemented reservations for women, similar reforms at the higher levels of government have stalled.
Progress Made So Far
Despite the challenges, there has been notable progress in certain areas:
1. Increased Representation in Local Bodies: The 33% reservation for women in local governance has been a transformative step, empowering women at the grassroots level. Many states, such as Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra, have gone further by increasing the reservation to 50%. This has led to women taking on leadership roles, managing public resources, and addressing local issues, such as education, healthcare, and water management.
2. Women Leaders in Key Positions: India has seen several women leaders rise to prominent positions, including Sushma Swaraj (former External Affairs Minister), Nirmala Sitharaman (current Finance Minister), and Mamata Banerjee (Chief Minister of West Bengal). These leaders serve as role models and have shown that women are capable of holding significant political power.
3. Public Awareness and Activism: Civil society organizations and women’s rights activists have been vocal about the need for greater political representation. Campaigns advocating for gender equality in politics have helped raise awareness and put pressure on political parties and the government to take action.
4. Women’s Reservation Bill (Proposed): The Women’s Reservation Bill, first introduced in 1996, aims to reserve 33% of seats for women in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies. In 2010 it was passed by the Rajya Sabha ,but still pending in Lok Sabha.
What More Needs to Be Done
To ensure that women have an equal voice in India’s political processes, several key reforms and strategies are needed:
1. Pass the Women’s Reservation Bill: The most effective way to ensure gender parity in Indian politics is to pass the Women’s Reservation Bill. By reserving 33% of seats in national and state legislatures, the bill would create a level playing field and ensure that women have a strong presence in the corridors of power. The success of reservations at the local level demonstrates that quotas can work, and this should be extended to higher levels of governance.
2. Political Party Reforms: Political parties need to actively promote women within their ranks and ensure a more balanced distribution of tickets during elections. Parties can introduce internal quotas for women candidates, invest in leadership training for women, and provide financial support to women seeking to run for office. Gender parity should be seen as a priority across party lines.
3. Education and Skill Development: Women aspiring to enter politics should have access to resources and training that can prepare them for leadership roles. Political skill development programs, mentorship initiatives, and leadership training for women can help bridge the gap. Additionally, increasing education levels for girls and women across the country will have long-term benefits for political participation.
4. Addressing Gender-Based Violence in Politics: Mechanisms must be put in place to protect women politicians from violence and harassment. Strict laws and regulations should be enacted to ensure the safety and dignity of women in politics. Political parties should adopt zero-tolerance policies toward violence against women within their ranks.
5. Financial Empowerment: There is a need for financial reforms to provide funding mechanisms specifically aimed at supporting women candidates.
6. Media Representation: Promoting positive and fair coverage of women in politics, challenging gender stereotypes, and ensuring equal visibility in political discussions can help change societal attitudes toward women in leadership.
7. Engaging Men as Allies: Achieving gender parity in politics is not solely a women’s issue. Men in positions of power must also actively support and promote women’s political participation. Engaging men as allies in the push for gender equality can create a more inclusive and equitable political culture.
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