ROLE OF WOMEN IN INDIAN POLITICS

The participation of women in politics is not a new phenomenon. In the Vedic period, women had the right to become members of Sabha and Samiti. However, their position declined during the post Vedic period and they were confined to the home. Over the years, women have faced many inequalities and have been regarded inferior to men.

The Indian Freedom Struggle has seen many women revolutionaries play an important role. Thus, the freedom movement led many women into the political arena.

Women today participate in local and state administration. India has had a woman Prime Minister, a women President, and women are involved in national politics.

Problems faced by women

Educational preference given to men over women

Lack of education is one of the drawbacks of why women do not get an opportunity to be in the 

forefront. Moreover, they are oppressed and discriminated against. There is still a struggle to assert themselves in a patriarchal society.

Women paid lower wages

Discriminated in land and property rights

Face violence inside as well as outside the home

Negative social and legal environment leads to lack of confidence and inability to work in public sphere.

The declining sex ration in India depicts the low gender equality status.

Increasing violence and crimes against women keeps them in a marginalized situation in employment, education and health sectors.

Women need to participate in politics because:

The larger the number of women in public office, the greater the opportunity to put forward their demands and gender biases can be reduced.

There will be Gender Responsive Governance. Gender Responsive Governance is defined as ‘a process that embodies measures, attitudes and practices of different stakeholders, both men and women, at different levels of governance with a clear purpose to impact issues that foster women’s empowerment and promote gender equality and social justice. It is a process that promotes and sustains the ability of women to fully participate in the governance and development process, enhances their ability to raise critical questions about inequity and collectivize without fear and pressure, and ensures gains from services’.

Women can learn from the examples and explore the strategies that women employ to access the public sphere in the context of socio-political system. Women can learn from the women who have been successful in subverting the boundaries of gender and in operation in a very aggressive male dominated sphere.

If women actively participate in a democracy, there will be equality and participation of all its citizens. Also, by participating in politics, women are more aware of their rights and can improve their life and that of their families.

The Constitution of India provide equality for all and tries to remove gender inequalities by banning discrimination based on gender, etc.

Indian political parties have created women’s wings. E.g. BJP Mahila Morcha, All India Mahila Congress and National Federation of Indian Women.

Various reform movements throughout our history of independence have struggled for reservation of seats for women in panchayats and other public bodies.

Educated women who participated in the freedom struggle are – Sarojini Naidu, Vijay Lakshmi Pandit, Rajkumari Amrit Kaur, Aruna Asaf Ali – and they motivated other women to enter politics.

Indira Gandhi made a great impact on Indian Democracy. As the first woman Prime Minster she rose to be one of the most powerful women in the world.

Mamta Banerjee – from West Bengal with the popular support of the masses rose to be a powerful political leader.

First woman President Pratibha Patil was elected only after 50 years of independence.

Sonia Gandhi has led the Congress Party for a number of years.

Sushma Swaraj – Delhi’s first woman Chief Minister (1998) and Union Minister for External Affairs (2014).

However the majority of women in the Indian Parliament are from the elite class.

Measures to overcome the challenges and increase the participation of women in politics

Eliminate discrimination – All barriers discriminating against participation of women should be removed.

Promote gender equality – Ensure that women participate in the leadership of political parties on equal basis with men.

Encourage them to vote and participate in public and political association – women have equal voting rights, however, do not vote in all elections. Women must be encouraged to exercise their vote and participate in associations and organizations concerned with the political life of the country.

Women should participate in all internal policy making structure – government must encourage women’s participation in policy making.

Change traditional mindset – and encourage women to participate in politics and business.

Media coverage – Equitable media coverage for female candidates in office will enable the people to accept female candidates and break stereotypes.

Advocacy Campaigning – support from women’s organizations and civil society, arranging development programs for women and providing financial support for female candidates, and punishment for those who violate gender equality.

Conclusion

India still suffers from inequalities. Political participation of women will help address many complex issues in today’s world, particularly political issues, as women comprise more that half the population of the world.