Mains Marathon

Introduction

In the Funeral Oration of Pericles, Greek historian Thucydides wrote about participation in Athenian democracy: “We alone regard a man who takes no interest in public affairs, not as a harmless, but as a useless character.” In Athens, all male citizens had equal political rights. However, no woman had this right; nor did any slave.

Body

In many developed countries, the right to vote was first given to men who owned property. It took decades of struggle for working class men to get the right; women, even later.

Even in the world's oldest democratic country America, women had to wait for the vote for seven more decades after independence.

In British India, Indian men who owned property first got the right to vote in 1919. Even by 1930, when all the British-ruled provinces had extended the franchise to women, the same property restrictions applied; this meant that less than one per cent of adult Indian women could vote. Thus, in British India, electoral institutions coopted ruling elites only to strengthen the colonial state.

In 1947, when India became independent from British colonial rule, its literacy rate was less than 20%, and women’s literacy less than 10%. And yet, in a breathtaking act of democratic faith, every adult person in newly independent India had the right to vote.

As one of the largest democracies in the world, India prides itself on its democratic values and commitment to equality. However, the reality of women’s representation in political structures reflects both progress and ongoing challenges.

Historical Context and Progress

India has a long history of women in political movements, starting with independence leaders like Sarojini Naidu, Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay, and Aruna Asaf Ali. Post-independence, Indira Gandhi became India’s first and only female Prime Minister. Recent years have seen increased female participation due to affirmative action, with the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments reserving 33% of local governance seats for women. This empowered women at the grassroots level. Prominent female leaders like Jayalalithaa, Mayawati, Mamata Banerjee, and Sheila Dikshit have shown that women can wield substantial political power in India.

Current Status of Women in Indian Politics

Despite these milestones, the overall representation of women in higher political offices remains alarmingly low. India has elected 74 women MPs to Lok Sabha in 2024, four fewer than in 2019 and 52 more than in India’s first elections in 1952. These 74 women make just 13.63% of the elected strength of the Lower House, much less than the 33% that will be reserved for women after the next delimitation exercise.

Indian society remains largely patriarchal, confining women to traditional gender roles and limiting their participation in politics. Male-dominated political party structures further marginalize women, often denying them candidacy in winnable seats. Financial barriers and gender-based violence also discourage women from entering politics, while media focus on their personal lives undermines their credibility. To improve women's representation, efforts must include political and economic empowerment, leadership training, and financial support. Cultural shifts challenging gender stereotypes, along with political reforms and media focus on women’s achievements, are crucial to ensuring equal opportunities for women in politics.

Conclusion

While India has made significant strides in empowering women at the grassroots level, the journey toward gender equality in higher political offices remains a challenging one. To address the underrepresentation of women in politics, systemic reforms are necessary, and the restructuring of political party systems. Cultural shifts, economic empowerment, and the support of civil society are equally important in enabling more women to participate meaningfully in the political process. Only then can India move toward a more inclusive and representative democracy.