Syllabus:GS2/Social Justice; Issues Related To Women
Context
- The Indian government is preparing to implement a 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, aiming for the 2029 general elections.
| Historical Context – The demand for political reservation for women dates back to the freedom movement, with leaders like Sarojini Naidu and Begum Shah Nawaz advocating for equal political rights. 1. However, the Constituent Assembly rejected the idea, assuming democracy would naturally ensure fair representation. – 1970s and 1980s: Women’s political participation remained limited, prompting policy debates. 1. It eventually led to the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments, which reserved one-third of seats in Panchayati Raj Institutions and urban local bodies for women. – Later, the Women’s Reservation Bill in 1996 was introduced, but it failed to gain consensus. 1. Subsequent efforts in 1998, 1999, and 2008 also faced political hurdles. – September 2023: The Women’s Reservation Bill was passed with near-unanimous support, officially known as the Constitution (106th Amendment) Act, 2023 (Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam). |
Constitution (106th Amendment) Act, 2023 (Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam)
- It mandates 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies including Delhi, aiming to enhance female representation in governance.
- Currently, women constitute only about 15% of the Lok Sabha and less than 10% in many state assemblies.
- Key Provisions:
- The quota extends to seats already reserved for SCs and STs women.
- The reservation aims to take effect after the next Census and subsequent delimitation exercise, ensuring fair seat allocation.
- The quota aims to remain in place for 15 years, with the possibility of extension through Parliamentary action.
Concerns and Challenges
- Delayed Implementation: The reservation aims to take effect only after the Census in 2027 and delimitation process.
- Impact of Delimitation: The delimitation process has raised concerns among southern states.
- Since northern states have experienced higher population growth, they may gain more seats, potentially reducing the political influence of southern states.
- Demand for OBC Sub-Quota: Some political groups advocate for reservation within reservation for OBCs.
- They argue that without a separate quota, upper-caste women may disproportionately benefit from the policy.
- Rotation of Reserved Seats: The Act mandates that reserved seats aim to be rotated after each delimitation exercise.
- It could create uncertainty for political parties and candidates, making long-term electoral planning difficult.
Conclusion & Way Ahead
- The Women’s Reservation Act, 2023 aims to empower women, strengthen democracy, and pave the way for more inclusive governance.
- However, addressing concerns related to delimitation, sub-quotas, and implementation delays will be essential to ensure its success.
- The upcoming Census and delimitation process will play a decisive role in determining how soon this vision becomes a reality.
| Read this in Hindi: भारत में चुनावों में महिलाओं के लिए 33% सीट आरक्षण |
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