Time for Change: Why women’s equal representation in politics matters now

Imagine a world where women, often seen as “Abla Naari” or “weak,” step forward to demand equal rights and gain control in our country and around the globe. What if, instead of just dreaming about it, we embraced the idea of women holding power? Currently, women are often treated like puppets, used for their political agenda. This raises the question: ‘how can we expect women to gain power when they are still marginalized?‘

Yet, change is possible. It is a hopeful vision, but for it to materialize, women must support one another. This solidarity is crucial for women to become free and powerful leaders in society. A recent example is Atishi, the new Chief Minister of Delhi, who embodies the potential for women in political leadership.

The current landscape of women in politics

When you Google “women political leaders of India,” the first line you’ll see is, “India has a rich history of influential women in politics.” However, the reality is stark. In the current scenario, counting Mamta Banerjee, Nirmala Sitharaman, and Atishi, only a few women have served as political leaders in India, compared to countless male representatives.

India has seen some remarkable women leaders, including Indira Gandhi, the first and only female Prime Minister, who served from 1966 to 1977 and again from 1980 until her assassination in 1984. She was known for her strong leadership and significant impact on Indian politics.

Sonia Gandhi, the longest-serving president of the Indian National Congress, has been a pivotal figure in Indian politics since the late 1990s. Mamata Banerjee made history as the first woman Chief Minister of West Bengal, founding the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) and becoming a significant force in both state and national politics.

Sushma Swaraj, a senior leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), served as the Minister of External Affairs from 2014 to 2019, becoming the second woman to hold this position after Indira Gandhi.

Mayawati, a prominent Dalit leader, has served as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh four times and is the president of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP).

Nirmala Sitharaman is currently the Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs, making her one of the most prominent women in the Modi cabinet. Smriti Irani, a key figure in the BJP, has held various ministerial positions and is known for her work in education and textiles. Atishi Marlena is also recognized as a prominent female political leader in India.

Despite these notable figures, women in India often face marginalization within the political sphere, framed by patriarchal social structures and mindsets.

The reality of women’s political participation

Many women are active within political parties, but they often do not serve as main leaders or voices. Parties frequently use women as emotional tools, claiming to support women’s power while the actual participation of women in the political sector remains alarmingly low. Are women counted as mere members rather than true representatives?

Should political parties implement internal reservations to increase women’s political participation? When will the 106th Constitutional Amendment be fully realized?

Haryana’s ongoing gender gap in politics

Haryana continues to struggle with gender inequality in politics, as seen in the recent Assembly elections. Despite some progress, women remain underrepresented. Since the state’s formation in 1966, only 87 women have been elected, and it has never had a female chief minister. In 2019, just 9 women won seats, down from 13 in 2014.

The few women nominated this year mostly come from powerful political families or are public figures, like Arti Singh Rao, daughter of a Union Minister, and wrestler Vinesh Phogat. Ordinary women still have very limited opportunities to enter politics in Haryana.

Even though a law has been passed to reserve 33% of seats for women in Parliament and assemblies, it won’t take effect until 2029. Until then, Haryana’s political system remained dominated by men, with only a small number of women, mainly those with influential connections, being able to participate.

Consider the recent tragic rape case in Kolkata. Why aren’t political parties taking stricter action? Are they waiting for the next incident to happen before addressing these urgent issues? India urgently needs more women in politics to balance quality with quantity.

According to UN data, only 26.9 percent of parliamentarians in single or lower houses are women, up from just 11 percent in 1995. Shockingly, 21 states have less than 10 percent female parliamentarians in their lower houses, with some having none at all. At the current rate of progress, gender parity in national legislative bodies won’t be achieved until 2063.

Historical context: women’s right to vote and representation

As noted in an article from The Hindu, the first general election in 1952 granted the right to vote to all women in India, marking a significant step for a sovereign republic. However, while women were given the right to vote at the commencement of the Constitution, their representation in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies has been far from satisfactory.

The percentage of women MPs in the Lok Sabha was between 5% and 10% until 2004. It increased slightly to 12% in 2014 and currently stands at 14% in the 18th Lok Sabha. Representation in state legislative assemblies is even poorer, with a national average of around 9%.

The 73rd and 74th amendments of the Constitution in 1992/1993 provided for one-third reservation for women in panchayats and municipalities. However, efforts between 1996 and 2008 to provide similar reservations in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies were unsuccessful.

The Women’s Reservation Act, 2023

The Constitution (106th Amendment) Act, 2023, reserves one-third of all seats for women in the Lok Sabha, state legislative assemblies, and the Legislative Assembly of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. This reservation, which includes seats reserved for SCs and STs, will take effect after the census is conducted following the Act’s commencement. The provision will endure for 15 years, with potential extensions determined by parliamentary action. The allocation of seats for women will be governed by parliamentary legislation after each delimitation process.

Currently, around 15% of the total members of the 17th Lok Sabha (2019-2024) are women, while in state legislative assemblies, women make up only about 9% of the total members.

Legislative progression of Women’s Reservation Bills

The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, established in 1979, mandates the eradication of gender-based discrimination in political and public spheres, and India is a signatory. Despite progress, the representation of women in decision-making bodies remains low, having only increased from 5% in the first Lok Sabha to 15% in the 17th Lok Sabha.

Constitutional amendments aimed at reserving seats for women in Parliament and state legislative assemblies were proposed in 1996, 1998, 1999, and 2008. However, the first three bills expired when their respective Lok Sabhas dissolved, and while the 2008 Bill was introduced and approved by the Rajya Sabha, it lapsed when the 15th Lok Sabha was dissolved.

It is essential to note that the implementation of the Women’s Reservation Act will require adherence to the “Triple Test” laid down by the Supreme Court, which adds another layer of complexity to the process.

A global perspective on women in politics

The recently concluded general elections in the United Kingdom demonstrated a record 40% women representation in the House of Commons, highlighting the significant progress made by other countries in enhancing women’s political participation. In contrast, India’s representation of women in Parliament remains well below the global average of 25%. What is happening in India in the name of women? After all the implementations and schemes, where are the tangible results for women’s participation?

India continues to face significant barriers for women in politics. The time for change is now. Women must have equal representation in government to ensure a balanced perspective in policymaking. As citizens, we must ask ourselves: How can we support women in their political journeys? What can we do to encourage women to take on leadership roles?

The path to political equality for women is fraught with challenges, but it is a path worth pursuing. Women’s representation is not just a matter of fairness; it is essential for a just and equitable society. The future of our country depends on the active participation of women in shaping policies that affect us all.

By uplifting women’s voices and encouraging their active participation in politics, we can work towards a more inclusive and equitable society. It is time to turn our imaginations into reality and make the dream of equal representation a fundamental aspect of our political landscape.

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