Why in the news?

  • During the first national conference on parliamentary and legislative committees on the empowerment of women, the Andhra Pradesh governor highlighted the significance of women’s political participation.

Women’s Political Participation in India

  • Current Status:
    • Global Context: According to UN Women, women constitute 27.2% of parliamentarians worldwide, up from 11% in 1995.
    • India:
      • Lok Sabha (2019–24): 14.7% women MPs (74 in 2024, down from 78 in 2019) — below the global average of 26.5%.
      • Rajya Sabha: ~12%.
      • State Assemblies: Mostly below 10%. Chhattisgarh leads (19 MLAs), while Mizoram has none.
      • Ministerial Representation: Around 10–11%.
    • Rankings: India stands 148/193 countries globally, 31st/47 in Asia, and 5th/8 in SAARC.
    • Grassroots Representation: Due to the 73rd & 74th Amendments, over 1.4 million elected women representatives serve in Panchayati Raj Institutions and Urban Local Bodies, with many states reserving 50% seats for women.
  • Barriers to Women’s Political Participation:
    • Parties & Political Structures:
      • Low ticket allocation: Only 797 women contested in 2024, 74 won.
      • Patriarchal party hierarchies and weak women’s wings.
      • Limited role in leadership and policymaking.
    • Patriarchal Social Norms & Gender Stereotypes:
      • Politics is still viewed as male-dominated.
      • Women expected to prioritize family over public life.
    • Safety & Mobility Concerns:
      • Harassment and security risks, especially in rural/conflict zones, limit outreach and voter engagement.
    • Socio-Economic Constraints:
      • Low female labour force participation correlates with lower political participation.
      • Lack of financial resources for campaigning.
  • Constitutional & Policy Measures:
    • Article 15 & 16: Prohibition of gender discrimination.
    • 73rd & 74th Amendments (1992): 33% reservation in Panchayati Raj Institutions & Urban Local Bodies.
    • Women’s Reservation Bill (108th Amendment Bill, 2008): Proposed 33% reservation in Parliament & State Assemblies (pending for years, passed in 2023 as Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, to be implemented after delimitation).
    • Indirect Enablers: Digital literacy (PMGDISHA), financial inclusion (PMJDY), entrepreneurship (Stand-Up India), NRLM SHGs – improving socio-political agency.
  • Significance:
    • Enhances inclusive democracy and good governance.
    • Evidence from PRIs shows women leaders prioritize education, water, sanitation, and health.
    • Supports gender justice, SDG-5 (Gender Equality), and strengthens India’s democratic legitimacy.
  • Way Forward:
    • Enhance Party Democracy – Mandate internal gender quotas for tickets and leadership roles.
    • Civic Education & Awareness – Encourage women’s political engagement through mass campaigns.
    • Institutional Reforms – Gender audits in parties & Election Commission to ensure accountability.
    • Safety & Mobility Support – Legal safeguards against online/offline harassment.
    • Economic Empowerment – Easier access to campaign finance and political funding for women.
    • Early Implementation of Quotas – Fast-track the Women’s Reservation Bill for timely impact.