Political Representation of Women
Women’s issues are not given the attention they need. Many feminists and women’s movements have concluded that unless women get control of power, their problems will not be adequately addressed. For the first time in India’s Lok Sabha, elected women made up 12% of the total membership for the first time in 2014. Their representation in state legislatures is less than 5%.
An equitable representation of women in elected authorities is one strategy to address women’s issues. One-third of seats in local government bodies are designated for women in Panchayats and Municipalities. There are presently over 10 lakh elected women parliamentarians in rural and urban local governments. Gender inequality is an example of how politics must reflect social divisions. This also demonstrates that when socioeconomic divisions become a political issue, disadvantaged groups benefit.
Gender and Politics
The gender divide is commonly perceived as natural and irreversible. Rather than biology, it is founded on social expectations and preconceptions. The effect of this division of labor is that, despite accounting for half of humanity, women have a minor role in public life, particularly politics, in most nations. Only men were previously permitted to participate in public affairs, vote, or run for public office. Gradually, the question of gender became more prominent in politics. It advocated that women’s political and legal status be improved, as well as their educational and career prospects. Feminist movements are movements started by women to achieve equality in personal and family life.
Table of Content
- Political Representation of Women
- Women Representation in Democracy
- Reasons for Low Representation
- Special Initiatives for Women
- Steps Ahead
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