Recently, General elections in the U.K saw a record 263 women MPs (40%) have been elected to the House of Commons.
- The South African National Assembly has around 45% women representation, while the U.S. House of Representatives has 29%.
Political Representation of Women in India
- India as a sovereign republic provided the right to vote for all its women right from the first general elections in 1952.
- While the right to vote was provided to all women since the commencement of the Constitution, the representation of women in the Lok Sabha and State legislative assemblies has been far from satisfactory.
- Lok Sabha: The percentage of women MPs in the Lok Sabha had been very low between 5% and 10% till 2004.
- Rajya Sabha: Percentage of women is around 11.
- Legislative Assemblies: There are only around 9 per cent women MLAs in the Assemblies of our states.
- Legislative Councils: This is much less in the case of Legislative Councils, where around 5 percent are women.
- Party Wise Highest: Trinamool Congress has the highest proportion of women MPs in the current Lok Sabha at 38%.
- The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and principal Opposition Congress party have around 13% each.
- Naam Tamilar Katchi, a State party in Tamil Nadu, has been following a voluntary quota of 50% for women candidates in the last three general elections.
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Women In Executive Government Positions In The World
- As of 1 June 2024, there are 27 countries where 28 women serve as Heads of State and/or Government
- At the current rate, gender equality in the highest positions of power will not be reached for another 130 years
- Just 18 countries have a woman Head of State, and 15 countries have a woman Head of Government
- Data compiled data by UN Women show that women represent 23.3 per cent of Cabinet members heading Ministries, leading a policy area as of 1 January 2024
- There are only 15 countries in which women hold 50 per cent or more of the positions of Cabinet Ministers leading policy areas
- Five most commonly held portfolios by women Cabinet Ministers are Women and gender equality, followed by Family and children affairs, Social inclusion and development, Social protection and social security, and Indigenous and minority affairs
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Importance Of Political Representation of Women
- Diverse Perspectives: Women bring different perspectives and experiences, leading to more comprehensive and inclusive decision-making.
- Strengthening Democracy : Women’s participation ensures that political institutions are more representative of the population, enhancing the legitimacy of democratic processes.
- Public Trust: Diverse and inclusive political representation increases public trust in political institutions and processes.
- Focus on Social Issues: Female leaders often prioritise issues such as healthcare, education, and social welfare, improving the quality of life for communities.
- Esther Duflo talks about her work with Raghabendra Chattopadhyay in India where there is a policy of affirmative action for women in politics at the local level
- This led to not only increased provision of public goods that benefited women and children more,
- This exposure to a woman in power also resulted in higher graduation rates for girls, reduced the parents’ aspiration gap between boys and girls, and increased teenagers’ own aspirations for their lives and careers.
- For example: Chhavi Rajawat: Often hailed as the changing face of rural Rajasthan, Chhavi also addressed delegates at the UN’s 11th Info poverty World Conference in 2011.
- Promoting Gender Equality: Women’s political participation challenges traditional gender roles and promotes gender equality in all spheres of life.
- Six countries have 50 per cent or more women in parliament in single or lower houses: Rwanda (61 per cent), Cuba (56 per cent), Nicaragua (54 per cent), Andorra (50 per cent), Mexico (50 per cent), New Zealand (50 per cent), and the United Arab Emirates (50 per cent)
- Conflict Resolution: Women’s involvement in peacebuilding efforts can contribute to more sustainable solutions to complex societal challenges.
- For example: Leymah Gbowee, a Liberian peace activist, played a key role in the peace process that ended the Second Liberian Civil War.
- Empowering Future Generations: Female political leaders serve as role models, inspiring other women and girls to pursue leadership roles in various sectors.
- Draupadi Murmu as the first female tribal President of India has inspired young girls and women to pursue leadership positions in politics and public service.
Challenges In Women’s Participation In India’s Electoral Landscape
- Structural Norms and Gender Discrimination: Women’s limited political voice and representation stem from long-standing structural norms and deep-rooted gender discrimination present in Indian society.
- These norms create barriers for women to fully participate in the political arena.
- Societal Prejudices and Political Party Practices: Societal prejudices against women are perpetuated within political parties.
- These prejudices influence the allocation of seats and the hierarchy within political parties, limiting women’s access to key positions and opportunities to contest elections.
- Lack of Authority and Influence: Women often lack positions of authority and influence within political networks. This lack of influence diminishes their ability to shape policy decisions and have a meaningful impact within the political sphere.
- Dynastic and Celebrity Backgrounds: Women from dynastic and celebrity backgrounds might have more visibility and recognition, giving them an advantage over others.
- Sarpanch-patism: Recently, the Supreme Court raised the concern that the Men often wielding the actual power behind elected women who remain “faceless wives and daughters-in-law” in grassroots politics.
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Government Initiatives
- Constitution (106th Amendment) Act, 2023
- It reserves one-third of all seats for women in Lok Sabha, State legislative assemblies, and the Legislative Assembly of the National Capital Territory of Delhi, including those reserved for SCs and STs.
- This would ensure a fair representation of women in legislatures that would increase gender sensitivity in parliamentary processes and legislation.
- It would also hopefully increase the number of women Ministers in the Centre and States.
- Reservation for Women in Panchayati Raj Institutions:
- The 73rd and 74th amendments of the Constitution in 1992/1993, provided for one-third reservation for women in panchayats and municipalities.
- Clause (3) of Article 243D of the Constitution ensures participation of women in Panchayati Raj Institutions by mandating not less than 1/3rd reservation for women out of a total number of seats to be filled by direct election and a number of offices of chairpersons of Panchayats.
- However, attempts between 1996 and 2008 to provide similar reservation in the Lok Sabha and assemblies were unsuccessful.
- Capacity Building: Through a number of programmes, including the Rashtriya Gramin Swaraj Yojana (RGSY), Panchayat Mahila Evam Yuva Shakti Abhiyan (PMEYSA), Rajiv Gandhi Panchayat Sashaktikaran Abhiyan (RGPSA), and the recently launched Rashtriya Gramme Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA).
July 19, 2024
