Political Representation of Women in India

Abstract

Women’s participation in politics is a substance for democratic representation and gender equality. Regardless of global progress, women remain underrepresented in political institutions, and barriers like social norms, systemic challenges, and limited access to resources hamper their participation. Despite constitutional guarantees of equality and significant women’s participation at the grassroots level, representation in higher legislative bodies the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies remains persistently low. This article investigates the status and dynamics of political representation of women in India, a crucial metric for evaluating the health and inclusivity of the world’s largest democracy. The study employs a qualitative and quantitative review to map the historical trajectory of women’s entry into politics, analyze the effect of assigned reservations at the local level (73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments), and critically examine the complex socio-cultural and institutional challenges that impede equitable representation. Findings highlight a striking disparity between local and national representation and underscore the urgent need for systemic reforms, including the implementation of the Women’s Reservation Bill, to ensure a truly representative and gender-just political landscape.