WOMEN IN POLITICS: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF REPRESENTATION IN INDIA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29121/shodhkosh.v4.i2.2023.4002Keywords:
Women, Politics, Representation, IndiaAbstract [English]
The representation of women in politics is a critical issue in India, where gender disparities continue to persist despite constitutional guarantees of equality. This paper provides a comparative analysis of women’s political representation in India, examining historical trends, key milestones, challenges, and efforts aimed at enhancing female participation in governance. Women in India have had a long and varied political history, with significant early contributions by leaders like Sarojini Naidu and Indira Gandhi. However, despite these prominent figures, women’s representation in Indian politics has remained disproportionately low compared to their male counterparts. Historically, the political space in India has been shaped by deep-rooted patriarchal values, limiting women’s access to political power and decision-making positions. Various initiatives, such as the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments in 1992, which reserved one-third of seats for women in local government bodies, and the proposed Women’s Reservation Bill, have aimed at improving women’s representation in politics. However, despite these measures, national and state-level representation continues to be far below global standards, with women holding only a small percentage of seats in Parliament and State Assemblies.
This paper highlights the key barriers women face in Indian politics, including societal attitudes, lack of political training, financial constraints, and gender-based violence. It also compares India’s progress with other nations that have successfully implemented gender parity policies, such as Rwanda and Sweden. The paper concludes by discussing possible solutions, such as gender quotas, greater party support, and education initiatives, to foster a more inclusive political environment. Ultimately, the goal is to ensure that women in India can participate fully in the political process and contribute to the country’s governance on equal terms with men.
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Kandiyoti, D. (2015). Women and politics in South Asia: A comparative perspective. In K. T. F. Joseph (Ed.), Politics and gender in the Indian context (pp. 91-113). Cambridge University Press.
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Copyright (c) 2023 Dr. Suresh Kumar M N
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