Is India’s new gender quota bill an empty promise?
Source: The Geopolitics
The Indian parliament passed a historic bill that necessitates the lower house of the parliament and the state legislatures to earmark one-third of their seats to women. In terms of women’s representation in politics, India ranks 141 out of 185, marking this reservation bill as a significant reform. Although the landmark legislature makes great strides for women, there are several impediments to the bill that will delay its discernible effects in Indian politics. Thus, the question begs, is this bill merely an empty promise made by the Modi-led government in the lead up to the 2024 general elections?
Women are significantly underrepresented in politics in India. Presently, 15.2% seats in the lower house of parliament are held by women, while it is merely 9% in the state legislatures. Globally, women hold a 26.5% stake in parliamentary office. The gender quota bill has been in the works for over 25 years, held back primarily due to demands for the inclusion of socio-economic factors in women’s reservation. In September 2023, however, it was welcomed almost unanimously by the Indian political scene.
Click here to read the full article published by The Geopolitics on 25 November 2023.
The Indian parliament passed a historic bill that necessitates the lower house of the parliament and the state legislatures to earmark one-third of their seats to women. In terms of women’s representation in politics, India ranks 141 out of 185, marking this reservation bill as a significant reform. Although the landmark legislature makes great strides for women, there are several impediments to the bill that will delay its discernible effects in Indian politics. Thus, the question begs, is this bill merely an empty promise made by the Modi-led government in the lead up to the 2024 general elections?
Women are significantly underrepresented in politics in India. Presently, 15.2% seats in the lower house of parliament are held by women, while it is merely 9% in the state legislatures. Globally, women hold a 26.5% stake in parliamentary office. The gender quota bill has been in the works for over 25 years, held back primarily due to demands for the inclusion of socio-economic factors in women’s reservation. In September 2023, however, it was welcomed almost unanimously by the Indian political scene.
Click here to read the full article published by The Geopolitics on 25 November 2023.