[Answered] India’s Global Gender Gap Index ranking necessitates enhanced women’s participation in policymaking. Analyze the governance and institutional challenges hindering this, and suggest policy measures for inclusive and equitable development.

Introduction

India’s low ranking in the Global Gender Gap Index underscores persistent systemic barriers to women’s political empowerment. Achieving inclusive development demands institutional reforms to ensure equitable participation in governance and policymaking.

Current Scenario and Global Ranking

1. India ranked 131 out of 148 countries in the Global Gender Gap Index 2025 by the World Economic Forum, with an overall gender parity score of 64.1%, among the lowest in South Asia.
2. While improvements were observed in economic participation (+0.9 percentage points) and educational attainment, the decline in political empowerment — from 14.7% to 13.8% female representation in Parliament and from 6.5% to 5.6% in ministerial roles — significantly pulled down the overall ranking.

Governance and Institutional Challenges

1. Delayed Implementation of Legal Reforms: The Women’s Reservation Act (2023) — which provides for 33% reservation for women in Parliament and State Assemblies — is deferred till 2029, pending the Census and delimitation, delaying transformative political inclusion.
2. Patriarchal Party Structures: Political parties continue to field few women candidates, citing unwritten biases about “winnability”. Despite no legal barriers, parties voluntarily nominate women in single digits, showcasing lack of intent.
3. Underrepresentation in Bureaucracy and Local Governance: Though Panchayati Raj Institutions reserve 33% to 50% seats for women, tokenism, proxy leadership, and poor training limit effective participation. In the civil services, women account for less than 20% of IAS officers.
4. Lack of Support Systems: Inadequate childcare support, flexible work policies, and workplace safety deter women from entering or continuing in public life. Electoral violence and online harassment further discourage women’s leadership.
5. Weak Institutional Accountability: Bodies like the National Commission for Women (NCW) often lack teeth or budget to enforce systemic change. Gender budgeting is underutilized and inconsistent across ministries.

Policy Measures for Inclusive and Equitable Development

1. Accelerate Implementation of Women’s Reservation Act: Expedite Census and delimitation exercises to implement the Act by 2026, ensuring timely political representation.
2. Mandate Political Party Quotas: Introduce party-based candidate quota laws, as seen in countries like France and Mexico, requiring parties to nominate a minimum percentage of women.
3. Strengthen Capacity and Leadership Training: Expand programmes like Mahila Samakhya and introduce public leadership fellowships for women in politics, bureaucracy, and panchayats.
4. Institutionalise Gender Mainstreaming: All ministries should adopt Gender Equality Action Plans, ensure gender-disaggregated data, and strengthen gender budgeting with performance audits.
5. Enhance Support Systems: Ensure access to creches in legislative buildings, campaign financing for women, anti-harassment units during elections, and digital literacy training for secure participation.
6. Leverage Civil Society and Digital Platforms: Promote platforms for civic engagement, including women’s political forums and e-governance tools, to crowdsource ideas and enhance representation.

Conclusion

Empowering women in policymaking is essential for equitable governance. Institutional reforms, proactive political will, and inclusive planning will bridge the gender gap and build a more just, participatory democracy.