The Inter-Parliamentary Union has recently made headlines as New Zealand surpassed the 50% mark of female representation in their parliament. This achievement is shared by only a handful of countries, including Cuba, Mexico, Nicaragua, Rwanda and the United Arab Emirates. Such a milestone traces back to 1893 when New Zealand became the first nation to grant women the right to vote. Despite these advancements, globally, the participation of women in parliamentary roles is still limited to just about 26%.
The Indian Scenario: A Glimpse into Women’s Representation in Politics
In India, the statistics remain stark. Out of the total number of members in the Lok Sabha, only about 14.44% are women. Furthermore, data from the Election Commission of India (ECI) suggests that as of October 2021, women make up a meager 10.5% of the total parliamentary members. The situation for women in state assemblies is even grimmer with a pitiful national average of 9%. Over the past 75 years, the share of women in the Lok Sabha has increased by less than 10%.
India has seen a decline in its rank for women’s parliamentary presence in the global index of Inter-Parliamentary Union; it slid down from 117th place after the 2014 election to 143rd as of January 2020.
Hurdles to Women’s Political Participation
The low representation of women in the political sphere is deeply ingrained in societal norms. Gender stereotypes burden women with familial responsibilities, restricting them from active engagement in political affairs. The competitive nature of politics further acts as a deterrent, as male politicians fear losing their seats to women through reservations. Educational constraints also contribute, as the lack of political knowledge and understanding hinders women from understanding their basic and political rights.
The imbalance of domestic duties often leaves women grappling with the strain of managing both family responsibilities and political roles. Politically, women face challenges due to a lack of resources, networks, and the unfriendly environment within political parties. Instances of criminalization, corruption, insecurity, and violence in politics also push women away from entering politics.
Government Efforts to Boost Women’s Participation
The Indian government has taken several steps to address this issue. The Women’s Reservation Bill 2008 proposes to reserve a third of all seats in the Lower House of Parliament, the Lok Sabha, and all state legislative assemblies for women.
Additionally, Article 243D of the Constitution mandates one-third reservation for women in the total number of seats in Panchayati Raj Institutions. The Parliamentary Committee on Empowerment of Women, set up in 1997, focuses on improving the status of women and fostering women empowerment.
Way Ahead: Striving for Greater Gender Equality in Politics
India, being a diverse nation, needs equal representation from all sections of its society in politics. It is crucial that all political parties reach a consensus to ensure the passage of the Women’s Reservation Bill. A vast pool of women serving as sarpanches and members of local bodies harbor experience in governance at a local level and await the opportunity to play larger roles at state and national levels.
Implementation of the Election Commission of India (ECI)’s proposal to mandate a minimum percentage of women representatives in state assembly and parliamentary elections could be a pivotal move towards gender equality in politics.
