Women’s representation in other countries
The political empowerment of women is generally possible with two routes
The first is to reserve seats for women in legislature by means of legislation .
The second is to have provision for quotas for women candidates within political parties while nominating candidates.
Neighbouring Nepal, Bangladesh and Pakistan have opted for the legislative route and are faring better in terms of representation of women in their legislatures.
In Pakistan, 17% seats are reserved for women in its national assembly.
Bangladesh has reserved 50 out of 350 seats in its Jatiya Sangsad and Nepal has reserved 33% of the total seats for women.
Statistics show that there is an improvement in the number of women legislators being elected crossing the percentage of seats reserved for women which is a sign of women’s political empowerment in one way or the other.
Australia (38%), Canada (31%), South Africa (45%), and Sweden (46%)
Issue of women's political empowerment in India
There are many countries where there are no laws mandating quotas for women.
Political parties are required to give a certain percentage of tickets to women candidates.
This is clear evidence that quota is not the only route for women’s political representation.
There is another route of reservation within parties while giving tickets, which is equally effective for women’s political representation.
The debate about women’s political representation has been going on in India for long; in fact the Bill reserving 33% seats for women was passed in the Upper House on March 9, 2010 .
The BJP -led NDA government has chosen the quota route for the political empowerment of women by enacting the Constitution (One Hundred and Sixth Amendment) Act of 2023.
It is considered a milestone in terms of women empowerment (reserving by law 33% seats in State Assemblies and Parliament).
It is important to note that the Bill was passed in the Lok Sabha with a huge majority, only two Members opposing the Bill.
Concerns of women’s quota
The initiative of enacting the women reservation Act, 2023 is a commendable move by the parliamentarians of the day.
Due to its linkage with the new delimitation which will be done after 2026, we can say that the law looks good only on paper.
In spite of not having any law, regional parties such as the TMC have fielded candidates successfully and won electoral battles.
Not having an adequate number of tickets to women candidates even after a law has been enacted (though it will come into effect by 2029) does not send out a positive signal about political commitment to ensure women’s political empowerment.
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