WOMEN IN POLITICS: AN

ANALYSIS OF ROLE AND

REPRESENTATION
INTRODUCTION
The representation of women in Indian politics has
been low for many years. Despite making up nearly
half of the Indian population, women have been
underrepresented in government positions and
decision-making roles, with a disparity evident at
various levels of politics. However, in recent years,
there has been a growing movement to promote
gender equality and increase the participation of
women in politics in India.
REASONS FOR LACK OF REPRESENTATION
• One of the major reasons for the lack of women's representation in Indian politics is the deeply ingrained
patriarchal societal structure. This has led to a perception that politics is a "man's job" and women are not
suitable for leadership roles. Additionally, women are often expected to focus on their traditional roles
such as taking care of the household and raising children, leaving little room for them to pursue a political
career.

• In terms of representation, the numbers of women in politics in India are not promising. Women hold
only 14% of the seats in the lower house of the Indian parliament and 12% in the upper house, significantly
lower than in many other countries around the world.

• Another significant barrier that Indian women face in politics is the lack of access to financial resources.
Campaign financing is often a major issue for women candidates, as they often lack access to the same
funding opportunities as men. This makes it difficult for them to launch effective campaigns and win
elections.

• Furthermore, women politicians in India often face harassment and violence while campaigning, which
can discourage them from entering the political arena. The challenges of balancing political aspirations
with traditional familial responsibilities also make it harder for women to navigate the political landscape.
Journey of Women's Political Participation
in India
 The journey of women's political participation in India has been a
long and complex one, marked by both progress and setbacks.

Historically, women in India have been underrepresented in

politics and have faced significant barriers to political
participation. This can be attributed to societal attitudes,
discrimination and lack of access to resources.

However, in recent years there has been an increasing recognition

of the importance of women's political participation, and efforts
have been made to promote gender equality and increase the
representation of women in politics.
ELECTORAL LAWS FOR WOMEN
 There are several electoral laws in India that aim to promote the participation of women in politics and ensure their
representation in the government.

Some of the key laws include:

 Reservation of seats for women:
As I have discussed earlier, the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments provide for the reservation of one-third of all
seats for women in Panchayats and Municipalities. These reservations are aimed at increasing the participation of women
in the decision-making process at the local level, and at ensuring that women's voices are heard and their needs are taken
into account.

 The Representation of People Act, 1951:

This Act contains provisions to ensure the fair conduct of elections, and also has provisions related to women's
participation in politics. It contains provisions to reserve seats for women in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha (the two
houses of India's parliament), as well as the State Legislative Assemblies.

 The Women's Reservation Bill:

This bill, which has been proposed but not yet passed by the Indian parliament, would reserve one-third of all seats in
the Lok Sabha and the State Legislative Assemblies for women. It aims to increase the participation of women in the
highest levels of government and ensure their representation in the decision-making process.

 The Election Commission of India (ECI) has also taken steps to increase the participation of women in the electoral
process, such as encouraging women to register to vote and promoting women's representation in the electoral process as
polling officials.
RIGHTS PROVIDED IN THE CONSTITUTION
In India, the Constitution of India provides several rights to women that aim to ensure their equality and empowerment.

These rights include:

 Right to equality:
The Constitution guarantees that women have the same rights as men, and prohibits discrimination on the grounds of sex. This means that women have
the right to equal pay for equal work, and are entitled to the same opportunities for education, employment, and property ownership as men.

 Right to education:
Women have the right to education and the state is directed to make efforts to provide free and compulsory education to children up to the age of 14.

 Right to vote:
Women have the right to vote and participate in the political process, and are entitled to be represented in the government.

 Right to property:
Women have the right to own and inherit property, and are protected against discriminatory inheritance laws.

 Right to work:
Women have the right to work and choose their occupation, and are entitled to equal pay and working conditions as men.

 Right to be protected against domestic violence:

Indian law provides for the protection of women from domestic violence, and the government is required to take measures to protect women from such
violence.

 Special provisions for women in the Constitution:

Article 15(3) of the Indian Constitution allows the state to make any special provisions for the advancement of any socially and educationally backward
classes of citizens or for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and Article 15(4) allows the state to make special provisions for women and
children

 Right to Maternity Relief:

Women are entitled to Maternity Relief under the Maternity Benefit Act, of 1961.
Key indicators for evaluating women's
participation in politics in India
 Representation in government:
One of the most important indicators of women's participation in politics is the number of women who hold political office. This includes
the number of women who are elected to the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha (the two houses of India's parliament), as well as the number
of women who are elected to state legislative assemblies and local government bodies.

 Candidacy:
Another important indicator of women's participation in politics is the number of women who run for office. Even if women do not win
elections, their candidacy can be an important step towards increasing their representation in government.

 Political party representation:

The number of women in leadership positions within political parties is also an important indicator of women's participation in politics.
When women are in leadership positions within parties, they are more likely to be nominated as candidates and to be elected to office.

 Participation in political activism:

Women's participation in political activism, such as protests and rallies, is another important indicator of their participation in politics. It
shows that they are actively engaging with the political process and advocating for issues that matter to them.

 Voter turnout:
Women's voter turnout is another important indicator of their participation in politics. When women are registered to vote and turn out
to vote in large numbers, it indicates that they are engaged with the political process and are exercising their right to participate in the
democratic process.

 Policy Impact:
One can also assess the impact of women's participation in politics by analyzing the policies and legislation that have been passed while
they were in office. This can include laws related to gender equality, maternal health, domestic violence, and the rights of women and
children.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, women's political participation and
empowerment are interrelated and mutually
reinforcing. An increase in women's political
participation in India will help to promote gender
equality, improve representation and decision-making,
and contribute to the development and progress of the
country.
THANK YOU