Representation of Women in the Lok Sabha (GS Paper 2, Polity)
Context:
- In the recent Lok Sabha elections, 74 women were elected as Members of Parliament (MPs), marking a slight decrease from the 78 elected in 2019.
- However, this number represents a significant increase compared to the early years of Indian democracy, where women's representation was minimal.
Women in the 18th Lok Sabha:
- The 74 women MPs constitute approximately 13.63% of the Lower House, reflecting a substantial presence but still falling short of the 33% representation envisioned after the next delimitation exercise.
- Despite the increase in absolute numbers, achieving gender parity remains a challenge.
Comparison with Previous Years:
- Over the years, there has been a gradual improvement in the gender composition of the Lok Sabha.
- From a mere 4.41% in 1952 to a peak of 14.36% in 2019, the journey towards greater representation has been marked by fluctuations and slow progress.
- While there have been instances of improvement, such as crossing the 10% mark in 2009, the trajectory has not been consistently upward.
Global Comparison:
- Comparing with global standards, India's representation of women in the Lok Sabha lags behind.
- While some countries, like New Zealand, have achieved significant female representation in their legislative bodies, India's progress remains relatively slower.
- Globally, women constitute approximately 26% of lawmakers, highlighting the gap that exists in India's political landscape.
Reasons for low Participation of Women:
- Several factors contribute to the relatively low participation of women in Indian politics.
- These include low literacy rates among women, lack of political will to implement gender quotas, entrenched patriarchal structures, gender disparities in education and resources, lack of confidence and financial resources among aspiring female candidates, the prevalence of sexual division of labor, and the challenges of facing slander and abuse during political campaigns.
- These barriers collectively hinder women's entry and success in politics.
Significance of Women Participation:
- The presence of women MPs in the Lok Sabha holds immense significance. Women lawmakers ensure that the interests and concerns of women are adequately represented in policy-making processes.
- Moreover, their diverse perspectives and experiences contribute to more comprehensive and inclusive policymaking, which benefits society as a whole.
- Additionally, their presence serves as a source of empowerment for other women and girls, providing them with role models and inspiring them to pursue political engagement.
- Ultimately, achieving gender parity in political representation is a matter of equality, ensuring that women, who comprise half of the population, have an equal say in shaping the laws and policies that govern society.
Efforts to reduce the gap:
- Various efforts have been made to address the gender gap in political representation. Legislative measures, such as the Women’s Reservation Bill, seek to reserve one-third of seats for women in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies, aiming to provide a more level playing field for female candidates.
- Additionally, policies like the National Policy for Women Empowerment and recent amendments like the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam (2023) aim to enhance women's participation in all spheres, including politics.
- These initiatives are complemented by the work of institutions like the National Commission for Women and the National Human Rights Commission, which actively promote women's rights and empowerment.
Conclusion:
- While progress has been made in increasing the representation of women in the Lok Sabha, there is still a long way to go to achieve gender parity.
- Continued efforts, both legislative and societal, are necessary to address the underlying barriers that hinder women's participation in politics.
- By creating an inclusive and representative political system, India can ensure that the voices and perspectives of all its citizens, regardless of gender, are heard and represented in the halls of power.
