I. Main Factors Affecting Women’s Political Empowerment in India
Women’s political empowerment refers to their ability to participate equally in political decision-making, leadership roles, and governance. While India has made progress, several factors still hinder full political empowerment of women:
1. Patriarchal Social Structure
Indian society is largely patriarchal, where politics has historically been male-dominated. Women are often discouraged from participating in public life or leadership roles. Cultural norms and gender stereotypes portray politics as “unsuitable” for women, leading to low representation.
2. Low Literacy and Education Levels
Education plays a key role in political awareness and participation. In many parts of India, especially rural areas, women have lower literacy rates and limited access to higher education. This affects their ability to understand political processes, engage in debates, or contest elections.
3. Economic Dependence
Economic empowerment is closely tied to political empowerment. Many women in India are financially dependent on male family members and lack resources to fund election campaigns or manage political careers. The cost of contesting elections often acts as a barrier.
4. Gender-Based Violence and Safety Concerns
Fear of harassment, violence, and lack of safety in public spaces deters many women from entering politics. Women politicians and activists often face threats, character assassination, and online abuse, making political participation a risky venture.
5. Political Party Dynamics
Political parties play a key role in candidate selection, but most are reluctant to give tickets to women. Parties often view women as “less winnable” and prefer male candidates. Even when women are given roles, they are often symbolic or tokenistic, with limited decision-making power.
6. Lack of Role Models and Mentoring
The relatively low number of successful women politicians leads to fewer role models for aspiring women leaders. A lack of mentoring and networking opportunities within the political system further limits women’s growth and participation.
II. Measures Adopted to Increase Women’s Political Participation in India
Despite challenges, India has taken several legal, institutional, and policy measures to improve women’s participation in politics:
1. 33% Reservation in Panchayati Raj Institutions
One of the most significant steps was the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments (1992), which mandated 33% reservation for women in rural and urban local bodies (Panchayats and Municipalities). This has led to millions of women entering grassroots politics and gaining experience in governance.
Some states like Bihar and Rajasthan have even increased this quota to 50%, creating a larger base of women leaders at the local level.
2. Women’s Reservation Bill (128th Constitutional Amendment, 2023)
After years of debate, the Indian Parliament passed the Women’s Reservation Bill in 2023, which provides 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies. This is expected to significantly increase women’s presence in national and state-level politics once implemented (post-delimitation).
3. Political Party Initiatives
Some parties have begun voluntarily increasing the number of women candidates. For example, the Trinamool Congress and Biju Janata Dal have fielded a higher percentage of women candidates in recent elections. However, these efforts are not uniform across all parties.
4. Legal and Institutional Frameworks
Laws like the Representation of the People Act, 1951, provide a legal basis for fair elections, and the Election Commission of India has guidelines to ensure fair conduct. While not specific to women, these frameworks help create a level playing field.
5. Training and Capacity Building
Several NGOs, civil society groups, and government bodies conduct leadership training and political education programs for women. These aim to build confidence, awareness of political processes, and skills needed for campaigning and governance.
6. Digital and Media Campaigns
Social media and government initiatives like MyGov, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, and Self-Help Group empowerment programs help raise awareness about women's rights and participation. Platforms also give women a voice to share their ideas and reach voters directly.
Conclusion
While India has made strides in promoting women's political empowerment, deep-rooted social, economic, and institutional barriers still exist. However, constitutional amendments, reservation policies, and growing awareness have opened doors for change. For true empowerment, these measures must be accompanied by changes in mindset, party behavior, and consistent implementation.
Subscribe on YouTube - NotesWorld
For PDF copy of Solved Assignment
Any University Assignment Solution
.webp)
