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The International Parliamentary Union (IPU) resolution (2016) called on parliament to set a deadline by 2020 with at least 30 percent of seats reserved for women. Towards this the first step is towards electoral success, additional measures are needed that allow women to be preselected into winnable seats or winnable positions on lists (the so-called “zipper system”).
The recently concluded G20 New Delhi declaration, which was also launched about a week before the passing of the women’s reservation Bill, Under India’s leadership during the G20 presidency, the focus has shifted from mere women development to women-led development. India has already pledged to achieve the targets outlined in Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5.5 of 2030 Agenda.
The women's reservation bill being the historical move from the present BJP government enables women Politicians to participate in politics. It took nearly 27 years to approve on September 20, 2023 and it was 108 amendment bill voted 452/454. Two members opposed the bill Mr. Salahuddin Owaisi from MIM and the other was Mr. Syed Imtiaz Jaleel. In Rajay Sabha it was unopposed and all voted in favour of the Bill. It’s a remarkable achievement and every political party is in favour of the women's reservation bill. Finally, it has taken shape. It was every once in a while, that the bill would be implemented in the 2026 elections after the reorganization or delimitation (frozen till 2026). Out of 33 percent, Provision will be made to members from SC/ST and OBCs.
The BJP wanted to take mileage for ensuring Parliamentary elections as the women voters predominately decide the governments and they wanted them to vote in favour of them. Mrs Kavitha also wrote a letter in this regard before convening the Parliamentary sessions. The KCR government also claimed that they only initiated the process. The KCR(BRS) government has introduced 50 percent reservations on Municipal corporations and they have succeeded.
With this move, the women MPs will be 181 in parliament 39/119 from Telangana and 55/175 from Andhra Pradesh.
The women's reservation was first initiated by Mr. Rajiv Gandhi in May 1989 and he planted the first seed of the women's reservation in (Panchayath Raj Institutions) Rural and urban governments and approved in Rajya Sabha in September 1989. Finally, it has taken the shape and approval in parliament in Mr. PV Narsimha Rao's government (UPA)in 1992/93 with this nearly 15 lakh women benefited and represented the local rural and urban governments. The Congress also claimed that they are the first political party in the government that initiated the bill long Back. With this move, we can find more than 15 lakh women benefited from this even becoming chairpersons and a good representation in Panchayat Raj Institutions.
Mrs. Geetha Mukerjee, a well-known parliamentarian took a very good initiative in Indian Politics by introducing the Private Member Bill in Parliament on September 12, 1996, in the capacity of the Chair of the Joint Parliamentary Committee. She has done a comprehensive review of the 1996 bill and put forth seven recommendations. She was a staunch advocate of the women’s reservation bill that helped others follow her recommendations in implementing the bill.
Subsequent Governments of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 1996,1999),2002 and 2003 (NDA)and even 2008 (UPA Led Congress) governments in subsequent years tried to honour the women’s reservation bill but could not succeed in parliament.
The objective of achieving 33 percent reservation for women in central and state legislature in their manifestoes before going for the 17th Lok Sabha elections by the Major National Parties Indian National Congress (INC) and the Bhartiya Janatha Party (BJP). The delay in implementing these reservations is the reluctance of the male-dominated legislators.
Gender Proportion: The ratio of women parliamentarians worldwide reached more than 25 percent – a historic first but still far from gender parity, as announced by IPU (International Parliamentary Union) on 5th March 2021. The percentage of women in the Parliament is 14 percent as of 2019 i.e., 72 women representatives. The maximum representation is from the states of Uttar Pradesh-11, West Bengal-11, Odisha-7 and Gujarat -6 totalling 43 of 72 members. In the 2019 General election, Naam Tamilar Katchi Party from Tamil Nadu fielded 50 percent of women candidates in a total of 40 Lok Sabha seats. It was the first party in India that offered an equal number of seats to men and women. In the 2021, Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly elections, they followed the 50 percent ratio and offered 117 seats to women candidates against the total of 234 assembly constituencies. The party opened its account with a mere 1.1 percent vote share in the 2016 assembly elections and has gained more than 5 percent in recent elections.
Let’s talk about the female politicians of India they made an immense and significant impact on Indian politics and set a benchmark in women's empowerment.
Mrs. Savitri Phule, aka India’s first female teacher, made relentless efforts to fight for women's empowerment principally among the backward classes.
As we know pretty well from the Congress Mrs. Indira Gandhi is known as the Iron Lady and was able to strengthen the Congress after the demise of her father Mr. Jawahar Lal Nehru she travelled with his father and could able to understand the country and the needs of the people and could able to dominate the political system single-handed with senior congress leaders.
Before the arrival of Indira Gandhi, the predecessors had already set the tone for the Indian women the prominent being Mrs Sarojini Naidu and Vijayalakshmi Pandit. A prominent freedom fighter, Sarojini Naidu had served as the president of the Indian National Congress she was the first governor of the Republic of India.
Mrs Sonia Gandhi is one of the most powerful women, despite not having been elected to any position in power she has the guts and charisma to bring back the power and most efficient and able leader of the Congress party and she is the wife of Rajiv Gandhi. She brought back unity among the congress and was listed in Forbes as the 9th most powerful woman in the year 2013. Mrs. Sonia Gandhi played a key role in the implementation of (NREGS)the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme and the Right to Information Act.
Mrs Nirmala Sitharaman became the first women’s Finance minister in the year 2019 during the crucial period of the COVID-19 pandemic and she faced significant challenges in reviving our economy. She could withstand the challenges and could announce a package of Rs 1,70 lakh crores as relief to pull the country out of the financial quagmire.
Another name to reckon with is Mrs. KK Shailaja, the minister of health and Social Justice in Kerala. She has demonstrated exemplary determination and pluck and managed India’s healthcare crisis head – on during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mrs. Mahua Moitra an upcoming politician, became a member of parliament after winning from her constituency in West Bengal at the 17th Lok Sabha in the year 2019 elections. She is the most powerful speaker and her strength lies in her knowledge of the Indian economy as well as her strong personality.
We need to know the power of women as the Chief Ministers: Mrs. Rajender Kaur Bhattal (Punjab; January 1996 – February 1997). She hails from a freedom fighter family and she is from the Indian National Congress (INC); Mrs. Rabri Devi (Bihar; July 1997 – February 1999, March 1999 – March 2000 and March 2000 – March 2005) is from Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) wife of Mr. Lalu Prasad Yadav served three times between 1997 and 2005; Mrs. Sushma Swaraj (Delhi; October 1998 – December 1998) she is being the First chief minister of Delhi from BJP. A prominent BJP senior leader, she has been elected 7 times as a member of parliament and 3 times as a Member of the Legislative Assembly. She has served as minister for External affairs. She was a good orator as well.; Mrs Sheila Dikshit (Delhi; December 1998 – December 2013) is India’s longest-serving women CM who led the Indian National Congress (INC) for three consecutive terms in New Delhi. She has championed the rights of women successfully as an Indian delegate at the United Nations Commission.; Mrs. Uma Bharati (Madhya Pradesh; December 2003- 2004) She is a senior leader of BJP and she was at the forefront in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement.; Mrs. Vasundhara Raje (Rajasthan; December 2003- December 2008; December 2013 – 2018) She is a senior BJP leader and she is also the recipient of the United Nations Women Together Award for the services rendered towards the self-empowerment of women.; Mrs. Mamata Banerjee (West Bengal; May 2011 – Present) She is the founder of Trinamool Congress. She has created history by uprooting the 34-year-long rule of the communist party of India in the state. She is also the recipient of the UN Public Service Award., Anandiben Patel (Gujarat, May 2014 – August 2016) She made a landmark decision during her tenure by giving 33 percent reservation to women in the state police force to empower them., Mrs. Mehbooba Mufti (Jammu and Kashmir; April 2016 –June 2018) She is the president of PDP and is the second Muslim woman and first women chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir.
These women not only registered their presence but they were able to occupy the political space of a male-dominated society. They have also shown their abilities in empowering the women's strength and effectively justified their chief minister’s posts. Some of them even worked more than 4 terms, really it was amazing to know their power and strength in administrative skills and upliftment of the poor and weaker sections of the society.
Finally, this women’s reservations bill is a journey toward empowerment. It's quite a laudable decision. Women have every right to participate in our political system and they have a say in our political space. The Present political space was occupied by a male-dominated society. Hopefully, by 2026 we will find a good number of women participating in politics. We need to encourage women to come to the forefront as we see women very rarely interested in politics. We know our political system has been polluted by politicians, Women, and Youth who are reluctant and afraid of coming to politics. Despite of several constitutional amendments, still we find social ills like female infanticide, dowry, child marriages, inequality in education, pay disparities, etc. and we need to focus on raising their voices against any discrimination and they need our support in fulfilling their dreams and aspirations.
We need to understand that unless and until they (Women) come to power, we cannot see any drastic changes in our political setup. Hopefully, let’s hope we respect our democratic setup and will strengthen the system and set an example for other countries to follow.
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