Need to increase the representation of women in representative institutions at the central and state level
Recently, a political party has decided to reserve 40% of its party tickets for women in the state assembly elections to be held next year. This has once again started a debate on the need to increase the representation of women in Parliament and State Legislatures.
According to data compiled by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU)—of which India is also a member, women represent 14.44% of the total members of the Lok Sabha worldwide.
According to the latest data of the Election Commission of India (Election Commission of India- ECI):
- As of October 2021, women represented 10.5% of the total members of Parliament.
- If we look at all the state legislatures together in India, the situation of women members (MLAs) is even worse, where the national average is only 9%.
- In the last 75 years of independence, the representation of women in the Lok Sabha has not increased even by 10 percent.
Main reasons for the underrepresentation
Gender Stereotypes:
Traditionally the role of managing household activities has been assigned to women.
Women should be encouraged to step out of their stereotypical roles and participate in the decision-making process of the country.
Competition:
Politics, like any other field, is a field of competition. Ultimately, women politicians are also considered competitive.
Many politicians fear that if women’s reservation is implemented, their seats may be alternately reserved for women candidates, thereby losing the opportunity to contest from their own seats.
Lack of Political Education:
Education affects the social mobility of women. Formal education imparted in educational institutions creates opportunities for leadership and provides the leadership skills needed.
Due to a lack of understanding of politics, they are not aware of their basic rights and political rights.
Work and Family:
Family care equal distribution of responsibilities result is that women spend much more time than men in caring for the home and children.
A woman not only has to devote her time during pregnancy and delivery, but this continues till the child is no longer dependent on the parents for care.
Lack of Political Network:
The lack of transparency in political decision-making and undemocratic internal processes present challenges to all new entrants, but women are particularly affected, as they lack political networks.
Lack of resources:
Due to the low proportion of women in India’s internal political party structure, women fail to mobilize resources and support to sustain their political constituencies.
Women do not get enough financial support from political parties to contest elections.
Social Conditioning:
They have to accept the instructions imposed on them and bear the burden of society.
Public view not only determines how many female candidates will win a general election but also, directly and indirectly, determines which office they should be nominated for.
hostile environment:
Overall, the climate of political parties is also not very women-friendly; He has to struggle hard and face multidimensional problems to make a place in the party.
Violence in politics is increasing. Significant increases in criminalization, corruption, insecurities have pushed women out of the political arena.
Government Efforts
Women’s Reservation Bill 2008:
It proposes to amend the Constitution of India to reserve one-third of all seats in the Lok Sabha and all state legislatures, the lower house of the Indian Parliament, for women.
Reservation for Women in Panchayati Raj Institutions:
Article 243D of the Constitution ensures women’s participation in Panchayati Raj Institutions, where at least one-third of the total number of seats to be filled by direct election and the number of posts of chairpersons of panchayats are reserved for women. Is.
Parliamentary Committee on Women Empowerment:
In order to improve the condition of women, the Women Empowerment Committee was formed for the first time in the year 1997 during the 11th Lok Sabha of Parliament.
The members of the committee were expected to work together for the empowerment of women without being limited by party affiliations.
way ahead
It is necessary for a country like India to ensure equal participation of all sections of the society in mainstream political activities; Therefore, the government should consider taking necessary steps to promote it.
Passing of Women’s Reservation Bill:
All political parties must reach a consensus and pass the Women’s Reservation Bill in Parliament, which proposes to reserve 33 percent seats for women in Parliament and all state legislatures.
Promoting women representatives of local bodies at the state level:
A group of women has emerged at the local level, having more than three decades of experience in local level governance as Sarpanch and members of local bodies.
She can now play a bigger role in state legislatures and parliament.
Women quota in political parties:
Gill Formula: There is a need to implement the proposal of the Election Commission of India, according to which a recognized political party will have to give the opportunity to a minimum agreed percentage of women in the state assembly and parliamentary elections to maintain its recognition.
Promoting democracy within the party:
A political party—which will be democratic in the true sense—will provide a fair opportunity to the women members of the party to hold positions such as president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer through the election process.
Breaking stereotypes:
Society has to break the stereotype of restricting women to domestic activities.
It is important for all institutions (state, family, and community) to be aware of the specific needs of women—such as bridging gaps in education, rethinking gender roles, gender division of labor, and addressing biased attitudes. and take necessary steps in this direction.
Conclusion
Young Indian women today probably represent more aspirational India than any other group. When given an opportunity, they can bring new energy to our stagnant politics and direct it towards the delivery of basic necessities like health, nutrition, education, and livelihood.
