Published 2026-02-15
Keywords
- Women's political participation, India, Gender representation, Legislative reservations, Political empowerment, Electoral democracy, Women's Reservation Act 2023, Lok Sabha, State assemblies
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Abstract
This research paper examines the evolving landscape of women's political participation in India, analyzing trends in voter turnout, legislative representation, and policy interventions. While India has witnessed historic milestones in female voter participation, with women's turnout surpassing men's in recent elections, significant disparities persist in elected representation. Women constitute approximately 14% of national parliamentarians despite comprising nearly half the population. The paper explores the impact of constitutional amendments, particularly the 73rd and 74th Amendments mandating local-level reservations, and the recently passed Women's Reservation Act of 2023. Through analysis of electoral data, legislative frameworks, and socio-cultural barriers, this study provides a comprehensive assessment of achievements and ongoing challenges in ensuring equitable political participation for Indian women.