Syllabus: GS-II & V

Why in the News?

Recently, Andhra Pradesh Governor Justice (Retd.) S. Abdul Nazeer remarked that India ranks 148 out of 193 countries in women’s participation in Parliament, reflecting a significant gap in political empowerment.

More About the News

Speaking at the first national conference on parliamentary and legislative committees on the empowerment of women, he highlighted that despite the passage of the Women’s Reservation Bill (2023), women remain underrepresented in Parliament and State Assemblies.
Earlier Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla also emphasized the need for legislative committees on women’s empowerment in state assemblies.

Trends in Women’s Representation in India

1. Lok Sabha

• 1st Lok Sabha (1952): 22 women MPs out of 499 → ~4.4%.

• 17th Lok Sabha (2019): 78 women MPs out of 543 → ~14.4% (highest ever till then).

• 18th Lok Sabha (2024): 74 women MPs out of 543 → ~13.6%, showing a slight decline despite expectations.

• Women made up only 9.3% of candidates in 2024, reflecting limited party nominations.

• Interpretation: Gains have been incremental, not structural.

Voter Participation
Women voter turnout in Lok Sabha Elections 2024 was 65.8%.

2. Rajya Sabha (Upper House)
Women hold about 14–16% seats, fluctuating with retirements and elections.

3. State Assemblies

• Variation is stark:

  • Chhattisgarh: ~18% women MLAs (highest).

  • Bihar, Odisha, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh: ~14–15%.

  • Himachal Pradesh: only 1 woman MLA.

  • Mizoram: none.

  • Assam: ~4.8%.

• On average, state legislatures have <10% women representation.

4. Local Bodies (Panchayati Raj)

• The 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments (1992) mandated 33% reservation in PRIs.

• Several states (Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh) raised this to 50%.

• In 2022, women comprised 44% of representatives in PRIs, with total female representatives being ~1,375,914.

• India has over 14.5 lakh elected women representatives in PRIs — the largest number of women in local governance globally.

Global Comparison

• Global Average (2025): ~27.2% women in national parliaments.

• Rwanda: 61% (world’s highest, due to constitutional mandate).

• Nordic Countries: ~40–45%.

• New Zealand: ~48%.

South Asia

• Nepal: ~33%.

• Bangladesh: 20%+ (reserved seats).

• India: 13.6% in Lok Sabha → 5th among 8 SAARC nations.

Assam: Women’s Representation in Politics

• 2001–2021: 77 women elected as MLAs since 1951.

• Women winners only ≈ 8.09% of all MLAs in 20 years.

• Women candidates:

  • 2001: 55 contested, 10 won (≈18.18%).

  • 2011: 85 contested, 14 won (≈16.47%).

  • 2016: 91 contested, 8 won (≈8.79%).

  • 2021: 76 contested, 6 won (≈13.53%).

• Trend: Contestants increasing, winning % fluctuates.

Key leaders: Ajanta Neog, Nandita Garlosa, Angoorlata Deka.

Voter Participation

• 2024 Lok Sabha: ~81.71% female turnout (higher than males).

• Phase-I polling 2024: Female turnout ~78.8% vs male ~77.7%.

Reasons for Underrepresentation

• Patriarchal norms

• Party-level barriers

• Financial constraints

• Violence and safety concerns

• Double burden of work

• Proxy representation

• Weak institutional support

• Tokenism and dynastic entry

Why Women are Needed in Politics

• Inclusive policy-making

• Democratic legitimacy

• Improved development outcomes

• Grassroots success stories

• Inspiring role models

Measures Taken for Women’s Political Representation

Constitutional Provisions

• Article 325, 326, 84, 173

Legislative & Policy Measures

• 73rd & 74th Amendments (1992)

• 106th Constitutional Amendment Act (2023) – Women’s Reservation Bill

• National Commission for Women (1992)

• CEDAW ratification (1993)

Institutional Initiatives

• Election Commission of India: Pink Booths, SVEEP

Party-Level and Civil Measures

• Voluntary quotas

• Capacity building and leadership programmes

Challenges Ahead

• Delay in implementation of Women’s Reservation Bill

• Uneven gains across levels

• Regional disparities

• Slow parliamentary change

• Underrepresentation in committees

• Symbolic portfolios

• Institutional weaknesses in states

• Intersectional exclusion

• Violence in politics

• Weak internal party democracy

Way Forward

• Time-bound implementation of the 106th CAA (2023)

• Balanced representation across all levels

• Address regional disparities

• Quota in parliamentary committees

• Diverse ministerial portfolios

• Strengthen state-level institutions

• Intersectional support

• Safer political environment

• Internal party reforms

• Leadership training & public awareness

Mains Practice Question

Q. Discuss the desirability of greater representation of women in the higher political level to ensure diversity, equity and inclusiveness. (150 words/10 marks)