Bridging the Gender GAP: Political Empowerment and Women Leadership in India

The political empowerment of women is essential for women-led development, as their participation in politics not only signifies equality and freedom but also the ability to exercise power and make decisions. The Indian Constitution guarantees several rights for women, including Articles 14, 15(1), 15(3), and 16, while India also ratified the Convention on the Political Rights of Women (1953), affirming their right to hold public office on equal terms with men. Women’s leadership is crucial for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. India is committed to gender equality through international frameworks like the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. Despite notable progress—such as the election of a woman Prime Minister, two women Presidents, and 16 women Chief Ministers—India ranks 143rd out of 185 countries in women's representation in the lower house of Parliament. In contrast, Sweden, South Africa, the UK, and the US have much higher representation. In the 2019 Lok Sabha, India saw a record 78 women MPs, though this number declined to 74 in 2024. These women MPs represent 14 political parties, with the BJP having 31, Congress 13, and AITC 11. However, only 43 are first-time MPs, including figures like Misa Bharti (RJD) and Kangana Ranaut (BJP). Likewise, Women’s representation in state legislative assemblies remains below 10% as a reflection of deep-rooted socio-cultural barriers. Socio-cultural barriers such as patriarchal norms, gender stereotypes, male-dominated political parties, high election costs, and muscle power continue to impede women’s political participation. Comprehensive research using data from government sources and political manifestos is essential for addressing these challenges and improving women’s representation in Indian politics.