Women’s Reservation in Legislatures

Syllabus: GS2/ Polity and Governance

Context

• PM Modi has emphasized that reservation for women in legislative bodies is essential to make Indian democracy more vibrant, inclusive, and participative.

Political Representation of Women in India

• The percentage of women MPs in the Lok Sabha had been very low between 5% and 10% till 2004. 
• It rose marginally to 12% in 2014 and currently stands at 14% in the 18th Lok Sabha, which is lower than the global average of 24 percent.
• The representation in State Legislative Assemblies is even poorer with the national average being around 9%.
• As of 2024, India ranked 143 in the list of countries in the ‘Monthly ranking of women in national parliaments’ published by the Inter-Parliamentary Union, a global organisation for national parliaments. 

Reservation for Women in India

• The Constitution 73rd and 74th Amendment Acts, mandated the reservation of one-third of seats for women in Panchayati Raj institutions and offices of the chairperson at all levels of Panchayati Raj institutions, and in urban local bodies respectively.
  • Out of the total 1/3rd seats reserved for women, 33% had to be reserved for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. 
• Women’s Reservation in Legislatures: The Nari Shakti Vandana Act (106th Constitutional Amendment) is a landmark law reserving 33% of seats for women in the Lok Sabha, state legislative assemblies and the Legislative Assembly of the National Capital Territory of Delhi,  including those reserved for SCs and STs.

Reasons of Lower Representation of Women

• Gender Bias: Despite progress, many women encounter stereotypes that question their competence and leadership abilities.
• Work-Life Balance: Balancing professional responsibilities with traditional family roles can be particularly demanding, often leading to burnout.
• Harassment and Discrimination: Workplace harassment remains a significant issue, creating hostile environments that discourage women from asserting themselves.
• Cultural Expectations: Societal norms impose additional pressures on women, such as expectations to conform to traditional roles, which conflict with career ambitions.
• Networking Challenges: Male-dominated networks make it difficult for women to establish connections that are crucial for career growth.

Significance of Women Representation

• Diverse Perspectives: Women bring unique experiences and viewpoints that contribute to more comprehensive decision-making, leading to better solutions and innovation.
• Role Models: Increased visibility of women in leadership roles inspires younger generations and helps challenge stereotypes about gender roles.
• Equity and Justice: Fair representation promotes gender equality, ensuring that women’s voices and needs are considered in policymaking and organizational decisions.
  • Some recent studies on panchayats have shown the positive effect of reservation on empowerment of women and on allocation of resources.
• Balanced Policies: Women’s involvement in governance can lead to policies that address issues specifically affecting women and families.
• Economic Growth: Empowering women and ensuring their representation can significantly contribute to economic development, as it expands the talent pool and encourages inclusive growth.
• Cultural Change: Increasing women’s representation can challenge societal norms and promote a culture of equality, benefiting society as a whole.

Conclusion

• Women’s reservation in legislatures is not merely a political reform but a structural transformation aimed at deepening democracy. 
• Ensuring women’s participation in governance is essential for achieving a more equitable, representative, and vibrant democratic system.

Source: AIR