Social Justice

IAS Parliament 6 years

KEY POINTS

Women’s political participation in India has been low despite them accounting for 49 per cent of the population.
The 16^th Lok Sabha has only 64 women among its 542 members. Afghanistan, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia do better than India.

Benefits

ü eliminate the systemic biases and structural barriers

ü design laws that encourage better education for girls

ü secure financial independence and formal employment for women

ü push up our abysmal female labour force participation rates

ü ensure that female hygiene products are properly priced

Exposure to women in office weakens stereotypes about gender roles.
Watching women in leadership positions reduces the negative perceptions men have about their effectiveness as leaders.
It also induces men to dream better dreams for their daughters and have a great impact in reducing female foeticide.

Challenges

Domestic responsibilities
Prevailing cultural attitudes regarding roles of women in society
Lack of support from family
Lack of confidence
Lack of finance
Reluctance of political parties to provide more seats to women
Negative perceptions men have about women’s effectiveness as leaders
It is very difficult for a women candidate to enter into politics voluntarily, without a political background.
Financial, social and cultural barriers to entry are higher for women.
Government has instituted quotas for women candidates at the local level. Yet, there is resistance to implementing them at the national level criticizing that women in politics are simply representatives of the men.