Women in Politics of India

 

India is the world’s largest democracy, with a population of over 1.3 billion people. It has a rich and diverse history of women’s political participation, from the freedom struggle against British colonialism to the present day. However, despite some notable achievements and progress, women in India still face many challenges and barriers to their full and equal representation in politics.

Historical Background

Women in India have been involved in politics since ancient times, as rulers, warriors, advisors, and reformers. Some of the famous examples are Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi, who fought against the British in the 1857 revolt; Rani Rudrama Devi of Kakatiya dynasty, who ruled over a large part of south India in the 13th century; Razia Sultana of Delhi Sultanate, who became the first female Muslim ruler of India in the 12th century; and Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore, who was praised for her administration and philanthropy in the 18th century.

Women also played a significant role in the Indian independence movement, as leaders, activists, and freedom fighters. Some of the prominent women who contributed to the cause of nationalism and democracy were Sarojini Naidu, the first Indian woman to become the president of the Indian National Congress; Aruna Asaf Ali, who hoisted the Indian flag at the Gowalia Tank Maidan in Bombay during the Quit India Movement; Sucheta Kriplani, who became the first woman chief minister of an Indian state (Uttar Pradesh); and Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit, who became the first woman president of the United Nations General Assembly.

After India gained independence from Britain in 1947, the Constitution of India granted equal rights and opportunities to women, including the right to vote and to stand for elections. Women also participated in the drafting of the Constitution, with 15 women members in the Constituent Assembly, out of a total of 389. The most prominent among them was Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, who was the chief architect of the Constitution and a champion of women’s rights.

Current Scenario

Women in India have made remarkable strides in various fields of politics, such as executive, legislative, judicial, and civil services. India has had a woman prime minister (Indira Gandhi), a woman president (Pratibha Patil), a woman speaker of the Lok Sabha (Meira Kumar), a woman chief justice of India (Leila Seth), and several women chief ministers, governors, cabinet ministers, and diplomats. Women have also been active in various political parties, movements, and organizations, advocating for various causes and issues, such as social justice, human rights, environment, education, health, and peace.

However, women’s representation in politics remains low and disproportionate to their population and potential. According to the Inter-Parliamentary Union, as of May 2022, India ranked 148th out of 193 countries in terms of women’s representation in the lower house of parliament, with only 14.4% of the seats occupied by women. In the upper house, the figure was even lower, at 11.6%. In the state assemblies, the average percentage of women legislators was 9%, with some states having no women at all. At the local level, the situation was better, thanks to the constitutional amendment of 1993, which reserved 33% of the seats for women in the panchayats (village councils) and municipalities. However, even here, women faced many challenges, such as patriarchal norms, lack of education, resources, and support, and violence and harassment.

Challenges and Opportunities

Women in India face many obstacles and difficulties in entering and advancing in politics, such as:

• Socio-cultural barriers: Women in India are often subjected to gender stereotypes, discrimination, and bias, which limit their choices and opportunities. They are expected to conform to traditional roles of wife, mother, and caregiver, and to subordinate their interests and aspirations to those of their family and community. They are also discouraged from expressing their opinions and participating in public affairs, and are often seen as unfit or unsuitable for politics.
• Economic barriers: Women in India are often economically dependent on their male relatives, and lack access to education, employment, and resources. They also bear the burden of unpaid domestic work and care work, which leaves them with little time and energy for political activities. They also face difficulties in raising funds and resources for their campaigns, as they have less access to networks, contacts, and donors.
• Political barriers: Women in India are often excluded or marginalized from the political system, which is dominated by men. They face discrimination and bias in the selection and nomination of candidates, as political parties often prefer male candidates over female ones, or give them less winnable seats. They also face challenges in campaigning and communicating with the voters, as they have less access to media, technology, and transportation. They also face hostility and opposition from their male counterparts and rivals, who often resort to personal attacks, slander, and violence to undermine their credibility and legitimacy.

To overcome these challenges and to enhance women’s political participation and representation in India, some of the possible measures and opportunities are:

• Legal and constitutional reforms: There is a need to enact and implement laws and policies that promote and protect women’s rights and interests in politics, such as the long-pending Women’s Reservation Bill, which seeks to reserve 33% of the seats for women in the parliament and state assemblies. There is also a need to ensure that existing laws and policies, such as the Representation of the People Act, the Election Commission of India guidelines, and the National Policy for the Empowerment of Women, are effectively enforced and monitored, and that women have access to justice and redressal mechanisms in case of violations and grievances.
• Political and institutional reforms: There is a need to reform and transform the political system and institutions, such as political parties, electoral bodies, and legislative bodies, to make them more inclusive, responsive, and accountable to women. There is a need to ensure that women have equal and fair opportunities in the selection and nomination of candidates, and that they are given adequate support and resources for their campaigns. There is also a need to ensure that women have equal and meaningful participation in the decision-making and policy-making processes, and that they are given adequate representation in the leadership positions and committees.
• Socio-cultural and economic reforms: There is a need to change the socio-cultural and economic conditions and attitudes that hinder women’s political participation and representation, such as gender stereotypes, discrimination, and bias. There is a need to raise awareness and educate the public, especially the men, about the importance and benefits of women’s political empowerment, and to challenge and counter the myths and misconceptions that portray women as inferior or incapable of politics. There is also a need to empower women economically and socially, by providing them with access to education, employment, and resources, and by reducing their burden of domestic work and care work.

Conclusion

Women in politics of India have a long and inspiring history, as well as a promising and potential future. They have contributed to the development and democracy of the country, and have also represented the aspirations and interests of the diverse and marginalized sections of the society. However, they also face many challenges and barriers that limit their full and equal representation in politics. There is a need to address these challenges and to create more opportunities for women’s political participation and representation, as it is not only a matter of justice and equality, but also a matter of necessity and effectiveness. Women’s political empowerment is essential for the advancement of the nation and the world.