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Women in Politics
Context
The 33% reservation of seats in the Lok Sabha and state legislatures for women has long been a subject of debate and deliberation in India's political arena. However, the stark reality of underrepresentation persists, with only 13% of elected MPs in the 18th Lok Sabha being women, reflecting a decline from the previous term.
Key Highlights:
- Gender Disparity in Elected Representatives: Despite the provision for reservation, the number of women elected to the Lok Sabha remains significantly lower than their male counterparts. In the 18th Lok Sabha, only 73 out of 543 elected MPs are women.
- Challenges in Candidate Representation: The disparity among candidates further exacerbates the gender gap, with only 797 out of 8,337 candidates being women. While there was a marginal increase in the number of women candidates from the previous elections, their share among total candidates remains disproportionately low.
- India's Global Ranking: India's recent global ranking for women's representation in the lower house of Parliament, dropping to 148 out of 185 countries.
Factors Hindering Women's Inclusion in Politics:
- Gender stereotypes perpetuate the notion that politics is a male-dominated sphere, deterring women from actively participating in political processes.
- Lack of political networks and connections often pose significant barriers for women aspiring to enter politics, as access to influential circles remains limited.
- Financial strains and resource constraints hinder women's ability to contest elections, as the cost of campaigning and mobilizing support can be prohibitively high.
- Limited political education and awareness among women further marginalize their participation in politics, as many lack the knowledge and skills required to navigate the complexities of electoral processes.
Schemes to Promote Women Empowerment:
- National Commission for Women: Established in 1992, this statutory body is tasked with monitoring and addressing issues related to women's rights and welfare, including political representation.
- Reservation for Women in Local Self-Government: The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992 mandates one-third reservation for women in all elected offices in local bodies, aiming to enhance their participation in grassroots governance.
- Women’s Reservation Bill, 2023: This landmark legislation seeks to reserve one-third of seats in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies for women, ensuring greater representation and inclusivity in higher echelons of governance.
- Other Initiatives: Various government schemes and programs, such as
- Beti Bachao Beti Padhao
- Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana
- National Social Assistance Programme
- Samagra Shiksha
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