Political Participation of Women in India
INTRODUCTION
Women’s participation in mainstream political activity has important implications for the broader arena of governance in any country. Governance relates to a set of rules, institutions, and values that are involved in the management of state and society. Governance institutions and processes include political parties, parliaments, government and their interactions with society. Although governance is a generic term which could mean good government or management, the governance values, types of government, the nature of political processes, the political parties and organizations, which/whose interests are represented and protected, and the extent of power that the masses have to challenge the state or in suggesting alternatives in methods of governance etc.may vary in different political systems. Liberal democracy is founded on reason, law, and freedom of choice but the position of different social groups in the social and political space where power islocated is not always equal in practice. This is particularly so in the case ofwomen. The nature of society or state has a decisive impact on the extent andeffectiveness of women’s political presence and participation. Notions ofDemocracy, governance and the state are often no gender neutral constructs butresult from both historical factors and experiences. The state and itsorganizational entities reflect the same social forces as other socialOrganizations. It is thus necessary to examine the gender balance in women’sparticipation in the political process, decision making and policy formulation.
The limited nature of female participation and representation in national decisionmaking institutions has important consequences for women and for thelegitimacy of the institutions. Where women constitute half the population in apolitical system which supports equality and where both women and men arelegally eligible for political office, women’s participation should be equal to that ofmen. If this is not
Women’s participation in mainstream political activity has important implications for the broader arena of governance in any country. Governance relates to a set of rules, institutions, and values that are involved in the management of state and society. Governance institutions and processes include political parties, parliaments, government and their interactions with society. Although governance is a generic term which could mean good government or management, the governance values, types of government, the nature of political processes, the political parties and organizations, which/whose interests are represented and protected, and the extent of power that the masses have to challenge the state or in suggesting alternatives in methods of governance etc.may vary in different political systems. Liberal democracy is founded on reason, law, and freedom of choice but the position of different social groups in the social and political space where power islocated is not always equal in practice. This is particularly so in the case ofwomen. The nature of society or state has a decisive impact on the extent andeffectiveness of women’s political presence and participation. Notions ofDemocracy, governance and the state are often no gender neutral constructs butresult from both historical factors and experiences. The state and itsorganizational entities reflect the same social forces as other socialOrganizations. It is thus necessary to examine the gender balance in women’sparticipation in the political process, decision making and policy formulation.
The limited nature of female participation and representation in national decisionmaking institutions has important consequences for women and for thelegitimacy of the institutions. Where women constitute half the population in apolitical system which supports equality and where both women and men arelegally eligible for political office, women’s participation should be equal to that ofmen. If this is not
References: 5. Ghosh ,Jayati (1999),Women in Indian Politics, Frontline, October 8, 1999 6 9. Kaushik, Susheela,(1996), Why Women in Legislatures?, Paper presented at the meet of Parliamentarians, New Delhi 10 11. Majumdar, Veena, (1993), Women and the Political Process, Durgabhai 12 13. Mazumdar, Vina (1998),Women: From Equality to Empowerment, in Karlekar, 14 15. Equity and Social Justice Mainstream, August 18, 2001 16 17.Sen,KalyaniMenon, Shiva Kumar, A.K.,(2001), Women in India:How Free? How Equal?,. Report commissioned by the Office of the United Nations Resident Coordinator in India, New Delhi