POLITICAL WOMEN REPRESENTATION
1. Context
In the recently concluded general elections in the U.K., a record 263 women MPs (40%) have been elected to the House of Commons. The South African National Assembly has around 45% women representation, while the U.S. House of Representatives has 29%
2. What about women representatives in independent India?
- India, as a sovereign republic, granted all women the right to vote starting from the first general elections in 1952.
- Despite this constitutional right, women's representation in the Lok Sabha and State legislative assemblies has been quite limited.
- Up until 2004, the proportion of women MPs in the Lok Sabha hovered between 5% and 10%. This figure increased slightly to 12% in 2014 and currently stands at 14% in the 18th Lok Sabha. Representation in State Legislative Assemblies is even lower, with a national average of around 9%.
- The 73rd and 74th Constitutional amendments in 1992/1993 established a one-third reservation for women in panchayats and municipalities. However, efforts between 1996 and 2008 to extend similar reservations to the Lok Sabha and assemblies were unsuccessful
3. Worldwide Scenario
- Women's representation in parliament varies across different democracies, and enhancing this representation remains a persistent challenge since women make up half the population in all countries.
- To ensure higher representation of women, two primary methods are used globally: (a) voluntary or legally mandated quotas for candidates within political parties and (b) reserved seats in parliament through quotas.
- Quotas within political parties offer voters a more democratic choice and provide flexibility for parties in selecting women candidates. Critics of reserved parliamentary quotas for women argue that it might undermine the perception of merit-based competition.
- Additionally, since reserved seats for women would be rotated after each delimitation, this might decrease the motivation for MPs to diligently serve their constituencies.
- The accompanying table shows a snapshot of women's representation in various democracies worldwide.
- It is observed that countries like Bangladesh and Pakistan, which have parliamentary quotas, tend to perform worse in terms of women's representation compared to countries with political party quotas
4.106th Amendment
- As of April 2024, India is ranked 143rd in the 'Monthly Ranking of Women in National Parliaments' by the Inter-Parliamentary Union, an international organization for national parliaments.
- The Trinamool Congress has the highest proportion of women MPs in the current Lok Sabha at 38%. Both the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and the main opposition Congress party have approximately 13% women MPs each. Naam Tamilar Katchi, a state party in Tamil Nadu, has implemented a voluntary quota of 50% for women candidates in the last three general elections.
- Despite these efforts, voluntary or legislated quotas within political parties are unlikely to achieve the desired representation in India. Therefore, through the 106th Constitutional Amendment in September 2023, Parliament has provided for a one-third reservation of seats for women in the Lok Sabha and State legislative assemblies.
- This aims to ensure fair representation of women in legislatures, enhancing gender sensitivity in parliamentary processes and legislation, and potentially increasing the number of women ministers at both the central and state levels.
- This reservation will take effect following the delimitation exercise based on the first Census conducted after the act's commencement. Consequently, the overdue Census from 2021 should be conducted without further delay to implement this reservation starting with the general elections in 2029
5.Way Forward
While India has made significant strides in granting women the right to vote and introducing measures to increase their representation in political institutions, much remains to be done to achieve true gender parity. The introduction of the 106th Constitutional Amendment, which reserves one-third of seats for women in the Lok Sabha and State legislative assemblies, marks a crucial step forward. However, the successful implementation of this policy hinges on the timely completion of the overdue Census. This reservation is not just about numbers; it is about ensuring that women's voices and perspectives are adequately represented in legislative processes, thereby fostering more inclusive and gender-sensitive governance. As India moves towards the 2029 general elections, it is imperative that these efforts are sustained and strengthened to build a more equitable and representative democracy
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For Prelims: Census, 106th Amendment Act, Article 360
For Mains: GS II- Women Political representation in India and related challenges
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Previous Year Questions
Prelims
1. Reservation for women in India is available in (UPTET 2019)
A. Lok Sabha B. Cabinet C. Vidhan Sabha D. Panchayati Raj Institutions
Answer: D
2. Consider the following statements: (UPSC 2022)
1. A bill amending the Constitution requires a prior recommendation of the President of India. 2. When a Constitution Amendment Bill is presented to the President of India, it is obligatory for the President of India to give his/her assent.
3. A Constitution Amendment Bill must be passed by both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha by a special majority and there is no provision for joint sitting.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only B. 2 and 3 only C. 1 and 3 only D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: B
3. The Committee on the status of women was headed by (Telangana Group 1 2016)
A. Mrinal Gore B. Mamatha Benerjee C. Mary John D. Vina Mazumdar
Answer: D
4. Two of the schemes launched by the Government of India for Women’s development are Swadhar and Swayam Siddha. As regards the difference between them, consider the following statements: (UPSC 2010) 1. Swayam Siddha is meant for those in difficult circumstances such as women survivors of natural disasters or terrorism, women prisoners released from jails, mentally challenged women etc., whereas Swadhar is meant for holistic empowerment of women through Self Help Groups.
2. Swayam Siddha is implemented through Local Self Government bodies or reputed Voluntary Organizations whereas Swadhar is implemented through the ICDS units set up in the states.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? A.1 only B. 2 only C. Both 1 and 2 D. Neither 1 nor 2 Answer: D 5. The National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) was formed by insertion of Article ______ in the Constitution of India. (SSC CGL 2020) A. 328B B. 338A C. 338B D. 328A Answer: C 6. Consider the following statements: The Parliamentary Committee on Public Accounts (UPSC 2013) 1. consists of not more than 25 members of the Lok Sabha.
2. scrutinizes appropriation and finance accounts of the Government.
3. examines the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A.1 only B. 2 and 3 only C. 3 only D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: B 7. With reference to the Parliament of India, which of the following Parliamentary Committees scrutinizes and reports to the House whether the powers to make regulations, rules, sub-rules, by-laws, etc. conferred by the Constitution or delegated by the Parliament are being properly exercised by the Executive within the scope of such delegation? (UPSC 2018) A.Committee on Government Assurances
B. Committee on Subordinate Legislation
C. Rules Committee
D. Business Advisory Committee
Answer: B 8. The historic 73rd and 74th amendment act relates to (Karnataka PC 2020) A. Local Self Government
B.Anti-Defection
C. Emergency Provisions
D. Parliamentary powers to amend the constitution
Answer: A 9. Which of the following is/are true regarding Urban Local Bodies in India? (UPSC CAPF 2014) 1. The Constitution's 74th Amendment Act envisages three types of urban local bodies, namely Nagar Panchayat, Municipal Council, and Municipal Corporation. 2. Municipal Corporations are established in cities with a population greater than 1 million.
3. Bombay and Calcutta Corporations were the first Municipal Corporations that were established during British time.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
A.1 and 2 only B. 2 only C. 1 and 3 only D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: A 10. Consider the following statements : (UPSC 2021)
1. The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms of 1919 recommended granting voting rights to all women above the age of 21.
2. The Government of India Act of 1935 gave women reserved seats in the legislature.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: B
Mains 1. “Empowering women is the key to control population growth”. Discuss. (UPSC 2019) 2. Discuss the positive and negative effects of globalization on women in India? (UPSC 2015) 3. Male membership needs to be encouraged in order to make women’s organization free from gender bias. Comment. (UPSC 2013) |
Source: The Hindu
