From Aspiration to Legislation: The Women’s Reservation Bill in India
September 18, 2023, marks a significant day in the history of the Indian Parliament. It’s the day when the Women’s Reservation Bill Constitution (108th Amendment) Bill, 2008 received approval from the Cabinet and was subsequently passed by the Lok Sabha during a Special Session of Parliament. This historic moment has been long-awaited, and it underscores India’s commitment to empowering women in the political arena. The support for the Women’s Reservation Bill has been unwavering, with leaders like Atal Bihari Vajpayee emphasizing the importance of women’s representation in politics. This article explores the significance of this bill, the global context of women’s political participation, and the need for its expansion.
A Global Perspective
In recent years, gender equity has gained recognition as a fundamental principle, both nationally and internationally. The G20 New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration in 2023 reaffirms the importance of gender equity and the empowerment of women and girls. It acknowledges that investing in gender equality has a multiplier effect on achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. During India’s presidency, the G20 has shifted its focus from women’s development to women-led development, aligning with its commitment to the 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goal 5.5, which emphasizes women’s full and effective participation in decision-making processes at all levels.
Addressing the Gender Gap in Politics
For decades, the under representation of women in legislative bodies has been a pressing concern. This democratic deficit hinders rapid economic development and calls for urgent attention. To strengthen participative, responsive, inclusive, equitable, and accountable political decision-making processes, addressing the gender gap is imperative.
Many African nations have made significant strides in promoting women’s leadership by implementing measures like seat reservations for women in legislative bodies. As of May 2022, the global average of women’s representation in national parliaments stood at 26.2%. Several sub-Saharan African nations exceeded this global average, with Rwanda leading the way with over 60% women’s representation. Other countries like South Africa, Senegal, Ethiopia, Namibia, and Mozambique also boast representation levels of 40% or higher. These success stories highlight the positive impact of proactive measures to boost women’s political participation.
India, as the world’s oldest and largest democracy, has a unique role to play in promoting gender equity in politics. The journey towards gender-balanced representation in the Indian Parliament has been gradual. In the initial Constituent Assembly meeting in 1946, only one woman, Sarojini Naidu, was present among 207 representatives. Progress in women’s representation in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha was slow, with double-digit percentages of women members achieved only in recent years. However, India still lags behind neighboring countries like Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan, where women’s representation ranges from 13.4% to 20.7%.
The Need for the Women’s Reservation Bill
The Women’s Reservation Bill, also known as the Constitution 108th Amendment Bill, 2008, is a critical step forward for India. Women’s Reservation Bill, which was initially considered in the 1990s but faced obstacles, aims to reserve one-third of all seats for women in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies. To fully empower women in politics, it is essential to expand the scope of the Women’s Reservation Bill to include the Rajya Sabha and state legislative councils.
Furthermore, the concept of double-member constituencies should be reevaluated, as it could inadvertently reduce women’s influence. India’s experience with the 73rd and 74th Amendments to the Constitution, which introduced one-third reservation for women in local bodies, has been a resounding success. Elected women representatives at the grassroots level have played active roles in political and economic processes, leading to improved development outcomes. Some Indian states have even increased women’s reservation in local bodies to 50%, demonstrating the positive impact of women’s leadership on holistic development.
The passage of the Women’s Reservation Bill is a significant milestone in India’s journey toward gender equity in politics. While progress has been made, there is still much work to be done to achieve parity with neighboring nations. Empowering women in politics is not just a matter of justice; it’s an essential step toward more inclusive and responsive governance. As India continues to evolve and strive for a brighter future, the active participation of women in political decision-making processes will be instrumental in realizing the nation’s full potential. It is a collective responsibility to ensure that women are not only represented but also empowered in the truest sense. With their proven capabilities and resilience, women have the potential to lead India to greater heights in the coming years.