Enhanced Participation of Women in Politics

Source-This post on Enhanced Participation of Women in Politics has been created based on the article “How women party workers are reshaping Indian politics” published in “The Indian Express” on 29 May 2024.

UPSC Syllabus–GS Paper-1– Role of Women and Women’s Organization and GS Paper-2– Devolution of Powers and Finances up to Local Levels and Challenges Therein.

Context– The article emphasizes how ordinary women in political parties, often ignored, play an important role in shaping India’s politics and making democracy stronger.

Before 2009, men were mainly in charge of reaching out to male voters during campaigns. However, since then, due to quota elections and better grassroots organization, women campaign workers have started reaching out to both men and women more equally. Enhanced Participation of Women in Politics

What is the significance of ordinary women party worker in deepening Indias grassroot democracy?

Over the last three decades, since the 73rd amendment for panchayat and municipal elections, women have not only contested but also won these elections.

1) Women party workers at the grassroots level, often called “party women,” are leading the way in connecting women voters to political parties. They are heavily involved in activities at polling booths and during campaigns.

2) Grassroots organizing efforts by ordinary women party workers have led to more equal reach to both men and women during voter mobilization.

3) They have strengthened local party organizations, ending the era when women’s wings were led exclusively by elites. Today’s women’s wings include district heads, ward leaders, booth-level managers, and panna pramukhs (polling booth managers), indicating a more granular and robust organization.

Read more- Women Empowerment- Economic Political and Social

What is the impact of this enhanced participation of women in India politics?

1) India has witnessed a remarkable phenomenon where women’s electoral turnout has not only matched but surpassed that of men.

2) It allows women to secure party tickets before elections because it’s usually simpler for women to take credit for rallying other women. This leads to their greater representation in assemblies and Parliament.

3) It has led to the growing list of distributive promises and welfare schemes targeted at women voters. For ex- recent passing of the women’s reservation bill in Parliament.

4) It has prompted parties to make targeted electoral offers to woo women voters. This is a direct result of the labor of women’s party workers.

What is the role of women party workers beyond elections?

1) Women party workers organize numerous events, ranging from planting drives to dharnas and seva abhiyans (service campaigns), mobilizing women from various social groups like Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and Anganwadi workers.

2) They keep women engaged in politics between election cycles, contributing to the increased participation of women in protests. For ex-recent farmers’ protests.

The growing participation of women raises questions about whether it makes India’s democracy stronger or weaker. However, it is evident that women’s political agency is indispensable to India’s democratic future.

Question for practice

What is the significance of ordinary women party worker in deepening Indias grassroot democracy?