Status of Women’s Representation in Legislative Bodies in India

Introduction

Women’s representation in legislative bodies is a crucial indicator of gender equality and democratic inclusiveness. In India, where women make up nearly 50% of the population, their presence in legislative decision-making should ideally reflect this proportion. However, the reality tells a different story. Despite constitutional safeguards and progressive laws, women continue to be underrepresented in legislative bodies, including Parliament and State Assemblies.

India, the world’s largest democracy, has made significant progress in women’s education, workforce participation, and political involvement, yet female representation in politics remains stagnant and disproportionate. Political participation is not just about voting; it involves policy-making, law-making, and governance, where women's perspectives are essential for holistic development and gender-sensitive policymaking.

This article examines the historical, legal, and sociopolitical aspects of women’s representation in India's legislative bodies. It delves into current statistics, legal frameworks, challenges, and possible solutions to enhance gender diversity in Indian politics.

Historical Context of Women’s Representation in India

Women’s political participation in India has evolved significantly over time, shaped by the freedom struggle, constitutional provisions, and evolving societal norms.

1. Women in the Freedom Movement

During India's freedom struggle, women actively participated in political movements. Leaders like Sarojini Naidu, Rani Lakshmibai, Aruna Asaf Ali, and Kasturba Gandhi played crucial roles in mobilizing support for independence. However, despite their active involvement, their representation in post-independence political institutions remained low.

2. Post-Independence Representation

• In 1952, the first Lok Sabha elections saw only 22 women elected out of 489 members (about 4.5% representation).
• Over the decades, the numbers have increased, but not substantially.
• The Constitution of India (1950) provided equal rights to women, but social and political barriers continued to hinder their participation.

3. Reservation in Panchayati Raj Institutions

A breakthrough came with the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments (1992), which reserved 33% of seats for women in Panchayati Raj (local self-governance) institutions. This has significantly improved women’s participation at the grassroots level, empowering over a million women across India. However, such reservations have not been extended to Parliament and State Assemblies yet.

Current Status of Women in Legislative Bodies

1. Women in Parliament

• As of 2024, women hold about 15% of seats in the Lok Sabha (Lower House of Parliament) and 12% in the Rajya Sabha (Upper House of Parliament).
• Comparatively, the global average of women’s representation in national parliaments is around 26%, highlighting India’s significant gap.
• Despite periodic improvements, India still lags behind many other democracies, including Rwanda (61%), Sweden (46%), and the USA (28%) in female parliamentary representation.

2. Women in State Legislatures

• The representation of women in State Assemblies remains dismal, with an average of 8-10% representation across states.
• Some states, like West Bengal, Bihar, and Chhattisgarh, have relatively higher numbers of female MLAs, largely due to proactive policies and leadership initiatives.
• However, states like Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan struggle with minimal women’s representation.

3. Women in Local Governance

• Panchayati Raj institutions have seen a significant increase in female leadership, with many women serving as sarpanches (village heads).
• However, issues such as proxy leadership (where male relatives influence decision-making on behalf of elected women) and lack of training hinder effective participation.

Legal Frameworks Influencing Women’s Representation

India has several constitutional provisions and legal frameworks that promote gender equality in governance.

1. Constitutional Provisions

• Article 14: Guarantees equality before the law.
• Article 15(3): Allows the State to make special provisions for women.
• Article 39(a): Ensures that citizens, regardless of gender, have an equal right to means of livelihood.
• Article 243D and 243T: Provide 33% reservation for women in Panchayati Raj and Municipalities.

2. Women's Reservation Bill (108th Amendment)

• This bill, which proposes a 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies, has been pending for decades.
• Although passed in the Rajya Sabha in 2010, it is yet to be approved by the Lok Sabha.
• Political resistance, lack of consensus, and concerns over male politicians losing their seats have stalled its progress.

3. Political Party Policies

• Some parties like TMC (Trinamool Congress) and BJD (Biju Janata Dal) voluntarily field more women candidates.
• However, most national parties fail to nominate enough female candidates, citing winnability concerns.

Challenges Faced by Women in Politics

Despite constitutional safeguards, women in politics face numerous barriers:

1. Social and Cultural Barriers

• Patriarchy and Gender Stereotypes discourage women from taking leadership roles.
• Family obligations and societal expectations often act as obstacles.

2. Financial Constraints

• Election campaigns require significant funding, which women candidates often lack.
• Political parties hesitate to fund women’s election campaigns, citing lower chances of victory.

3. Violence and Harassment

• Many women politicians face gender-based harassment, threats, and online trolling.
• The lack of a safe working environment in political spaces discourages female participation.

4. Political Party Bias

• Most political parties prefer male candidates, assuming they are more electable.
• Women are often given less influential portfolios or assigned to difficult seats.

Recommendations to Enhance Women’s Representation

To improve gender parity in legislative bodies, India must adopt comprehensive reforms:

1. Passing the Women’s Reservation Bill

• Implementing 33% reservation in Lok Sabha and State Assemblies will ensure a stronger presence of women in decision-making.

2. Political Party Reforms

• Mandating a minimum percentage of female candidates for elections.
• Encouraging internal party leadership roles for women.

3. Financial Support for Women Candidates

• Providing state-sponsored funding for female candidates.
• Establishing women’s leadership training programs.

4. Strict Action Against Gender-Based Harassment

• Implementing strict legal actions against violence and harassment of women politicians.
• Ensuring a safe and inclusive political environment.

Conclusion

The representation of women in India’s legislative bodies remains far below the global average, despite constitutional provisions and increasing awareness. While grassroots representation has seen significant improvements, the national and state levels continue to witness gender disparity.

Increasing women's participation is not just about equality—it is about making governance more inclusive and representative of society as a whole. To achieve this, political, legal, and societal changes are necessary.

What’s Your Take?

Do you think mandatory reservations are the right solution, or should political parties take voluntary initiatives? Share your thoughts in the comments!

FAQs

1. What percentage of women are in the Indian Parliament?
• As of 2024, around 15% of Lok Sabha members and 12% of Rajya Sabha members are women.
2. Has the Women’s Reservation Bill been passed?
• No, it is still pending in the Lok Sabha despite being passed in the Rajya Sabha in 2010.
3. Which state has the highest number of women MLAs?
• West Bengal and Bihar have relatively higher numbers of female MLAs.
4. Are women given reservations in Panchayati Raj?
• Yes, 33% of seats in local governance bodies are reserved for women.
5. What can be done to improve women’s representation in politics?
• Electoral reforms, party-level gender quotas, and financial aid for women candidates are key solutions.