On political representation of women

Source: This post on political representation of women has been created based on the article published in The Hindu on 18^th July 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2 – Social Issues – Women Empowerment

Context: The article highlights the comparison of women’s representation in India with other democracies, the role of constitutional amendments, and the impact of internal party quotas.

There are 2 methods used globally to ensure higher representation of women;

(a) voluntary or legislated compulsory quotas for candidates within political parties.
(b) quota in parliament through reservation of seats.

When were the women granted Universal suffrage?

Universal suffrage was achieved after prolonged political movements. New Zealand was the first to grant universal women suffrage in 1893, followed by the UK in 1928 and the US in 1920.

India granted women the right to vote from the first general elections in 1952.

What has been the trend regarding women representation in India?

Low representation: The representation of women in the Lok Sabha and State legislative assemblies remained low, with percentages between 5% and 10% until 2004, rising to 12% in 2014, and currently at 14% in the 18th Lok Sabha.

As per the Inter-Parliamentary Union report, India ranks 143 in the list of countries in the ‘Monthly ranking of women in national parliaments.

73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments in 1992/1993 provided one-third reservation for women in panchayats and municipalities. However, similar reservations for the Lok Sabha and assemblies were unsuccessful despite attempts between 1996 and 2008.

106th Constitutional Amendment passed in September 2023, provides for one-third reservation of seats for women in the Lok Sabha and State legislative assemblies. However, This reservation will come into effect after the delimitation exercise after the first Census figures are published following the commencement of this act.

Source: The Hindu

What is the significance of Women’s Political Representation?

Increasing Gender Sensitivity: Ensuring fair representation of women in legislatures is expected to increase gender sensitivity in parliamentary processes and legislation.

Representation: It will potentially be increasing the number of women ministers at the Centre and States.

What have been arguments against the quota in Parliament

Opponents of reserved parliamentary quotas argue:

1. It may be seen as women not competing on merit.
2. It may reduce MPs’ incentive to work hard in their constituencies due to seat rotation after each delimitation.
3. Countries with political party quotas generally fare better than those with parliamentary quotas.

What should be done?

The overdue Census since 2021 needs to be conducted promptly to ensure implementation by the 2029 general elections.

Quotas within political parties provide more democratic choice to voters and allows flexibility to parties in choosing women candidates.