India is the world’s largest democracy, but the glaring gender disparity in its political representation continues to spark debates. Women, who outnumber the men (according to NFHS-5) in the country, remain significantly underrepresented in its political arena. This glaring disparity calls into question the inclusivity of India's democratic processes and highlights the structural barriers that continue to impede women’s participation. Although there have been promising developments, including local governance reforms and debates around the Women's Reservation Bill (now known as Narishakti Vandan Adhiniyam), gender inequality persists on India’s political stage.

Beyond Gender: Structural Inequality in Participation
According to the Inter-Parliamentary Union, India was ranked 149th out of 193 countries in 2019 for female parliamentary representation, trailing behind neighbouring nations like Nepal, Pakistan and Bangladesh. While countries like Rwanda (61%), Mexico (50%), and Nepal (34%) lead in female MP representation, India remains below the global average. After the 2024 general elections, women made up only 13.65% (74 out of 543) of Lok Sabha members, marking a slight decline from previous elections. The Global Gender Gap Report 2024 places India 65th out of 146 countries in women's political empowerment with a score of 0.251 out of 1. Specifically, India ranks 117th for women in parliament (0.172) and 132nd for women in ministerial positions (0.069), underscoring the persistent structural barriers to women’s full political participation.

In the 2024 general election, the gender gap in political participation remained stark, both at the national and regional levels. Fourteen states, including Kerala and Goa, have no female MPs. In states like Uttar Pradesh (7 out of 80), Punjab (1 out of 13) and Assam (1 out of 14), female representation falls below 10%. However, states like West Bengal, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttarakhand show slightly better female representation. Notably, only 12 states surpass the national average in female MPs, underscoring the persistent underrepresentation of women in Indian politics.

Similarly, in the 2024 general election, party-wise female representation revealed stark disparities: the BJP fielded 69 women, with 31 securing seats; the Congress gave the ticket to 41 women, 13 of whom won; the TMC achieved a remarkable 100% success rate with 11 elected out of 11 candidates; while the Samajwadi Party elected 5 women. These figures underscore the substantial disparity and challenges women face in securing party nominations and achieving electoral success.

The Women’s Reservation Legislation
The Women’s Reservation Bill, first introduced in 1996, offered a potential solution to this imbalance. It sought to reserve one-third of seats in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies for women. Despite widespread public support and repeated parliamentary discussions, the bill had remained stalled for 27 due to political and social resistance. It was finally passed in 2023, and promises to radically transform the political landscape, ensuring that a significant portion of legislative seats is occupied by women.

Critics of the bill argue that it could lead to tokenism, with women occupying seats without real political power. However, the success of similar measures in local governance suggests otherwise. The 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments, which mandated one-third reservation for women in Panchayati Raj Institutions (local government bodies), have led to the election of more than 1 million local leadership roles.

Why Gender Parity in Politics Matters
Gender parity in politics is not just a matter of fairness; it is essential for better governance. Women bring unique perspectives to decision-making processes. Women in leadership roles are more likely to champion social policies related to health, education and gender equality. This holds true in India as well, where women leaders have often prioritised these critical areas. The absence of women from political decision-making has real consequences. With fewer women in Parliament, issues like maternal health, gender-based violence, female employment, reproductive health issue, gender equality and access to education for girls often take a backseat in policy discussions. A more representative political structure would not only promote gender equality but also lead to more balanced and inclusive governance. The presence of women in politics often promotes less adversarial, more consensus-driven leadership.

Challenges: Systemic Barriers and Patriarchy
Despite these successes and opportunities, systemic barriers remain deeply entrenched. Patriarchy, entrenched in both political institutions and society, restricts women's entry into politics. Politics in India is often viewed as a male domain, with a perception that women should focus on familial responsibilities. The political culture itself poses challenges. Politics in India is highly competitive, and male-dominated party structures often exclude women from leadership positions. Women are rarely given “winnable” seats by political parties. Access to resources and funding is another significant challenge. Indian elections are resource-intensive, and women often have less access to political networks, campaign funding, and media coverage.

In addition to these structural barriers, women politicians face rampant sexism and discrimination. The portrayal of women in politics by Indian media often perpetuates stereotypes, focusing on their appearance, personal lives, and familial roles rather than their policy stances or leadership abilities. Also, the challenges faced by women in Indian politics are often compounded by caste and class. Women from marginalised sections, particularly Dalit and Adivasi women, face both gender and caste-based discrimination. Women from Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs) and the Muslim community are significantly underrepresented in political institutions, exacerbating their exclusion from political power. The intersection of caste, religion and gender discrimination makes it even harder for marginalised women to break through the barriers of political participation.

A Path Forward: Toward Inclusive Governance
The path toward gender equality in Indian politics requires both systemic reforms and societal changes. Women’s political participation is not just about representation; it is about creating a more inclusive, just, and equitable society. The underrepresentation of women in Indian politics is not just a gender issue but a democratic deficit. Women bring diverse perspectives to governance, improve decision-making, and help prioritise policies that benefit society as a whole. While the Narishakti Vandan Adhiniyam offers a glimpse of what gender parity in politics could look like, the challenges of patriarchy, access to resources, and caste-based discrimination must be addressed. It is indeed her turn to lead, but for Indian women to take their rightful place in politics, the system must open its doors and dismantle the barriers that have kept them on the sidelines for far too long.

Rachna Singh is PhD scholar at Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi. Dr. Balhasan Ali is a consultant at the Institute of Economic Growth, New Delhi. The views are personal.