Being A Woman Politician In India #WomenOnTheMove

A woman politician in India plays a pivotal role in empowering women by addressing women's issues more actively than men say #WomenOnTheMove.

A woman politician in India plays a pivotal role in empowering women by addressing women’s issues more actively than men say #WomenOnTheMove.

Conventional politics has always been dominated by men. Women and their issues were largely ignored given the dismal numbers of women representatives in the political circle. However, in recent years, the world has witnessed a phenomenal rise of women politicians across countries and continents. The growing numbers have resulted in an increased addressal of women’s issues and passing of laws aimed at empowering women.

Women suffrage came early in India. Indian women never saw a mass political movement, unlike Western countries, for getting their voting rights. Women had always played an active role in politics in India. However, the post independence Parliamentary reforms helped Indian women to achieve an unprecedented political break­-through — reservation of seats in gram panchayats and other public bodies. The reform accentuated the role of women in Indian politics. They participated in voting, ran for public offices and political parties at lower levels more than men.

That said, although rural governance saw a massive increase in women representatives, the numbers in comparison to men in State Assemblies and Parliament were extremely low. While the global average for Women in Parliament stands at 22.4%, India has a meagre 12% representation.

Last week, we had our weekly #Womenonthemove chat over at Twitter, where we discussed the factors resposible for this dismal picture, despite the reservation, of women politicians in India. This is what they said.

(If you’re not yet following Women’s Web on Twitter, do now, and you can come over for the chat too, every Wednesday 6-7PM IST).

The challenges in politics – are they different for men & women?

How different are the challenges for women from being a business leader to a political leader?

 

How to survive the challenges?

Will an increase in the number of women politicians make any difference?

 

What should be done to increase women political leaders?

Image sources: Google

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Jyotishree Mohanty

A part time backpacker, an accidental baker, a doting mother, a loving wife, a pampered daughter, an inspired blogger, an amateur photographer read more...

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