BRIDGING THE GENDER GAP: A CRITICAL STUDY OF WOMEN'S RESERVATION IN THE INDIAN PARLIAMENT

Anju Singh; Mamta Devi

doi:10.29121/shodhkosh.v5.i6.2024.6278

Authors

Anju Singh Research Scholar, Department of Political Science, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak
Mamta Devi Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29121/shodhkosh.v5.i6.2024.6278

Keywords:

Reservation, Constitution Amendment, Women, Political Empowerment

Abstract [English]

The passage of the amendment bill to introduce 33% reservation for women in Parliament and state assemblies represents a significant advancement toward the political empowerment of women in India. The issue of women's reservation in India is unique because the Indian Constitution already provides reservations for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backwards Classes (OBC). The 73rd and 74th amendments to the Constitution ensure that women have 33% representation in local self-government. It is essential to address the social barriers that impede women's equal representation in Indian society, which is patriarchal in nature. (Rai & Sharma, 2000). Reserving seats for women will drive significant change. These reservations aim to establish an equal opportunity for all citizens. Gender inequality continues to permeate political decision-making, highlighting an urgent need for more women leaders to step forward. Women can significantly influence policies and shape a more equitable future by increasing representation. Let us empower women to rise and make their voices heard in the halls of power. This paper seeks to analyse the advantages and disadvantages of women's reservation from the government's perspective, explore the reasons behind the passage of this bill in parliament, and provide a comprehensive background on the Women's Reservation Bill. The author will present findings supported by secondary data to elucidate these points.

References

The Constitution Of India. Https://www.India.Gov.In/My-Government/Constitution-India.

Jain, M. (2022). A Study On Women’s Reservation In The Legislature And Its Impact: International And Municipal Sphere. Nyaayshastra Law Review, Volume ii, Issue Ii, Pg. 2.

Panda S. (2001). Reservation For Women In Union And State Legislatures: A Perspective, Indian Journal Of Public Administration Vol. Xlvll, No. 4, Pg. 685–687. https://doi.org/10.1177/0019556120010405 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0019556120010405

Mary E. John (2000). Alternative Modernities? Reservation And Women's Movement In The 20th Century India, EPW, October 28, 2000, P. 3823.

Madhu K. (1996). Women And Politics, Beyond Quotas, EPW, October 26, 1996, Vasanth Kannabarian And Kalpana Kannabarian, Op. Cit.

Bhagwan D. (2000). Moments In A History of Reservation. EPW, October 28, 2000.

Bose P. (2010). Women's Reservation In Legislatures: A Defence. Economic And Political Weekly, APRIL 3-9, 2010, Vol. 45, No. 14, Pp. 10–12.

Usha N. (1999). Women’s Political Empowerment: Imperatives And Challenges. Mainstream, April 10, 1999, P.7.

Chattopadhyay R. & Dufflo E. (2004). Women As Policy Makers: Evidence From A Randomised Policy Experiment In India. Econometrica, Vol. 72, No. 5, Pp. 1409–1443. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-0262.2004.00539.x

Rai P. (2011). Electoral Participation of Women In India: Key Determinants And Barriers. Economic & Political Weekly, 46(3): Pp. 47–55.

Kumar S. S. Sree (2006). Representation of Women In Legislature: A Sociological Perspective In The Indian Context. The Indian Journal Of Political Science, July - Sept., 2006, Vol. 67, No. 3, Pp. 617–628.

Baskar M. (1997). Women Panchayat Members In Kerala: A Profile. Economic And Political Weekly, April 26, 1997, Pp. Ws -13 – 20.

Singh, S. (2004). Empowerment Of Women Representatives In Panchayati Raj: A Profile From Haryana, Kurukshetra, Vol . 52, No.10, Pp. 17 – 2004. DOI: 10.5958/2456-8023.2016.00001.2. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5958/2456-8023.2016.00001.2

Lester W. M.& Goel M. L. (1977). Political Participation: How And Why Do People Get Involved In Politics? Rand McNally, Chicago, 1977, P.48.

William Henry C. (1972). The American: Her Changing Social, Economic and Political Roles. Oxford University Press, New York, 1972, pp. 46–47.

Vyas N. (2007). BJP For 33% Reservation For Women In The Party, 23 September, The Hindu. Http://Www.Thehindu.Com/Todays-Paper/Bjp-For-33-Reservation-For-Women-In-Party/Article1916300.Ece.

Chidambaram P. (2023). Reservation When? After, After, After, The Indian Express, September 24, 2023.

Agnes F. (2023). The Inclusion Test, The Indian Express, September 25, 2023.

Nihalani J. (2023). Women Reservation Bill: In 20 States & UTs, Less Than 10% MLAs Are Female, The Hindu, September 24, 2023.

Phuket S. (2023). Lok Sabha Passes Historic Women’s Reservation Bill, The Hindu, September 20, 2023.

Singh V. (2023). Women’s Reservation Bill Will Be Implemented Only After 2029: Amit Shah: The Hindu, September 21, 2023.

Dutoya V. (2016).A Representative Clam: Madein The Name Of Women?, Revue Francaise De Science Politique, VOL.66, No.1 P.41, 2016. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3917/rfsp.661.0007

Mona Lena Krook (2009). Quotas For Women In Politics: Gender And Candidate Selection Reform Worldwide, New York: Oxford University Press,2009. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195375671.001.0001

Maitrayee Ch. (1993). Indian Women's Movement: Reform And Revival, London: Sangam Books, Pp 154–155. https://doi.org/10.1177/097152159400100213 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/097152159400100213

Teltumbde, A. (2010).One More Reservation, Economic & Political Weekly, April 3, 2010, Vol Xlv No 14, Pp. 13–15.

Ra, S. & K. S. (2000). Democratising The Indian Parliament: The Reservation For Women Debate In International Perspectives On Gender And Democratisation, Macmillan, London, p. 159. DOI: 10.1007/978-1-349-62879-7_8 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-62879-7_8

Raman V. (1999). Women's Reservations And Democratisation. An Alternative – Respective”, Economic And Political Weekly, December 11, Pp 3494–95.

Vasanth K. & Kalpana K. (1997). From Social Action To Political Action, Economic And Political Weekly, Vol. 32, Issue No. 5, 01 Feb, 1997

Women And The 81st Amendment', Economic And Political Weekly, February 1, 1997, P 196

Indira H. (1989). Panchayati Raj At The Crossroads, EPW, Vol XXIV No 29.

Menon N. (2000). Elusive Women: Feminism And Women's Reservation Bill, EPW, Oct.21-Nov.3,2000, Vol.35, No.43.

Richa, Shanker, “Measurement of Women's Political Participation at The Local Level: India Experience”, Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation, India.

Thakur M. (2010). “Women Empowerment Through Panchayati Raj ”, Concept Publishing House.

Pal M. (2004). “Cast And Patriarchy In Panchayats”, Economic And Political Weekly, Aug. 7-13,2004, Vol . 39, No.32, Pp. 3581–3583.

Hust E. (2002). Political representation and empowerment: Women in local government institutions in Orissa after the 73rd amendment to the Indian Constitution. Heidelberg Papers in South Asian and Comparative Politics, (6).

Chatterje M. D. (2022). Gender Equity and Inclusive Participation of Women: With Special Reference to PRIs. In Gender Equity: Challenges and Opportunities: Proceedings of 2nd International Conference of Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology (pp. 283–288). Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-0460-8_28

Clots-Figueras, I. (2011). Women in politics: Evidence from the Indian States. Journal of Public Economics, 95(7- 8), 664–690. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpubeco.2010.11.017

Kumar N. & Agarwal S. Need of The Reservation For Women In the Indian Legislature: An Analysis Based On Elections In Bihar. Bihar Journal Of, 644.

Mhatre M. M. (2009). Women in Electoral Politics. Cell, 91(988620), 3256

Dixit P. (2021). Women's Rights and Legislation. Issue 1 Int'l JL Mgmt. & Human., 4, 346.

Pandey J.N. (2010). Constitutional Law of India. Central Law Agency publications,47th edition, Allahabad, 2010