Q. Greater representation of women in the Indian parliament, through increased reservation will improve the status of Indian women. Comment (250 words, 15 Marks)

September 19, 2023 16

GS Paper II Indian Polity

Answer:

Approach:

Introduction: Present the current scenario of women’s representation in the Indian Parliament.
Body:
- Discuss the potential positive impacts of increasing women’s representation in the parliament.
- Mention the women’s reservation Bill as a tangible step towards addressing the disparity.
Conclusion: Conclude, reinforcing the idea that while reservations can boost representation, the broader goal should be an inclusive society that respects and acknowledges women’s capabilities beyond just reservations.

Introduction:

India, as the world’s largest democracy, boasts of a diverse and multifaceted electorate. Yet, when it comes to representation of women in its parliamentary bodies, it trails behind several other democracies. With only 14.36% of its MPs in the Lok Sabha being women, India lags behind nations such as South Africa (46.2%), the United Kingdom (34.5%), and Germany (35.1%). This disparity accentuates the discourse on the need for greater representation of women, potentially through reservations, to uplift the status and rights of Indian women.

Body:

Benefits of Greater Representation:

Voice and Representation:
- Women MPs can highlight issues that might otherwise be overlooked.
- For example, issues such as maternal mortality rates, female literacy, and safety concerns specific to women might gain more traction.
Role Models:
- The presence of more women in power can act as an inspiration for young girls.
- For instance, women leaders like Indira Gandhi and Pratibha Patil have already paved the way, but more representations can lead to increased aspirations among young girls.
Diverse Perspective:
- Women bring a unique lens to governance.
- For instance, when New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern introduced more family-friendly policies in parliament, it underscored how women in power can bring about significant shifts in policy-making.
Social Upliftment:
- Policies favoring education and empowerment of women could gain momentum.
- For example, the prioritization of schemes similar to the ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ initiative.
Cultural Shift:
- More women in parliament can lead to challenging of traditional gender norms.
- The acceptance and respect for women MPs can filter down to society, leading to a culture that recognizes women’s contributions beyond the household.

The introduction of the women’s reservation Bill, aiming to reserve 33% seats for women in Parliament and state legislatures, is a progressive step. Though its implementation might be further in the future, it’s a move signaling India’s commitment to gender parity in governance.

Conclusion:

While reservations can be instrumental in augmenting women’s representation, it’s essential that the socio-cultural fabric of the country evolves to organically champion women in leadership roles. Quotas can catalyze the process, but the ultimate vision should be a society where women, based on merit and not just reservation, find equal representation across all domains.