Political Representation of Women

Table of contents

Context (IE): In 2024, India’s largest democracy stands at a crossroads, needing more women in political roles to enrich decision-making, policy diversity, and overall democratic maturity.

India’s Legacy in Women’s Political Empowerment

Early Voting Rights: India was one of the first nations to grant equal voting rights to women, laying a strong foundation for a gender-inclusive democracy.
Historical Figures of Shakti: Women like Uda Devi Pasi and Dakshayani Velayudhan played crucial roles in shaping India’s socio-political landscape through their courage and leadership.
Cultural Significance: The concept of Ardhanarishvara in Indian culture symbolizes the balance and equality between men and women, reinforcing the need for gender balance in political roles as well.

Parliamentary Representation: Women’s representation in Lok Sabha increased from 4.4% in 1952 to 14.4% in 2019. The 2024 elections saw a record 74 women MPs, with many first-time entrants.
State Legislatures: Women’s representation at the state level remains low, with states like Chhattisgarh (14.4%) and West Bengal (13.7%) leading, but still below ideal levels.
Global Comparison: India’s female parliamentary representation is lower compared to Rwanda (61.3%) and Sweden (47.3%), which demonstrate far higher rates of women in legislative bodies.

Democratic Integrity: Women’s involvement ensures diverse voices and fair representation, strengthening democratic institutions and fostering resilience through inclusivity.
Inclusive democracy: Breaking political stereotypes, women across party lines, have transitioned from ceremonial roles to actual decision-makers, setting an example for an inclusive democracy.
Gender-sensitive and Holistic Policy Focus: Women leaders prioritize issues affecting women, children, and marginalized groups, advocating for policies in healthcare, education, and economic security leading to equitable governance for all.
Stronger Community Engagement: Women leaders enhance grassroots engagement, ensuring that policies reflect the actual needs of local communities.
Societal Transformation: Increased female representation challenges patriarchal norms, reshaping societal attitudes and inspiring future generations of women to lead, shifting from traditional roles to positions of power.
Economic and Social Development: Research shows women-led areas often see better infrastructure, improved educational outcomes, and fewer project delays.
Meet Global Commitments: Greater female participation aligns with SDG 5 (Gender Equality).

Patriarchal Societal Norms: Social conditioning and entrenched gender roles limit women’s ambitions and often prioritize domestic responsibilities over political careers.
High Campaign Costs: The financial barriers to running competitive political campaigns make it difficult for many women to enter politics.
Political Exclusion and Bias: Male-dominated political parties often exhibit bias, perceiving women as less electable and offering fewer tickets for female candidates.
Safety and Security Concerns: Women politicians face significant risks, including harassment and violence, which deters their active participation.
Proxy Representation: In local governance, the practice of “Sarpanch Pati” (husbands acting as de facto leaders in place of elected women) undermines true female political empowerment.

Article 15 prohibits discrimination on the grounds of sex, affirming women’s equal rights.
Article 243D reserves 33% of seats for women in Panchayati Raj Institutions.
Article 326 guarantees right to vote for all adults, including women.

The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam (2023) ensures 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies.
The 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments mandate 33% reservation for women in rural and urban local bodies, with some states increasing it to 50%.

CEDAW (1979) ensures women’s rights in public and political life.
The Beijing Platform for Action calls for removing barriers to women’s political participation.

International Engagement and Commitment: India should align with global frameworks like the G20 Leaders’ Declaration and SDGs, reinforcing women’s political empowerment as a global priority.
Electoral Reforms: Addressing issues like criminalization and financial irregularities can create a more equitable political landscape for women’s participation.
Gender-Inclusive Policies: Political structures must adopt gender-responsive frameworks to ensure equal access and representation for women in leadership roles.
Intra-Party Democracy: Political parties should embrace inclusivity by encouraging women at all levels of governance, from local to national elections.
Encouraging Local-Level Representation: Strengthening female participation in local governance through community-based organizations and Self-Help Groups can nurture future political leaders.
Support Women-Led Initiatives: Promoting skill-building, community knowledge-sharing, and supporting women-led projects in areas like sustainability and social welfare can drive transformative change.
Political education, sensitization programs, and leadership development: Mentor and train to empower young women, fostering gender equality and enhancing their political engagement.

Zipper System (Rwanda): Rwanda’s system requires every third candidate on party lists to be female, resulting in one of the highest female parliamentary representation globally.
Constitutional Committees (Chile): Ensures balanced gender representation in committees, promoting equitable decision-making.
European Quota Systems: Countries like Switzerland implement effective quotas, significantly improving female representation in legislative bodies.