Hope and Doubt Surround Passage of Women’s Reservation Bill: Will India Finally Bridge the Gender Gap?
India, the world’s largest democracy, faces a significant gender gap that needs to be addressed. The Women’s Reservation Bill, recently renamed as ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam,’ aims to lessen this gap and provide hope to nearly half of the country’s 950 million registered voters. However, doubts linger about when this historic bill will become a reality.
The delay in implementing the bill is a cause for concern, as it is linked to the delimitation process that will take place after the Census. The lack of a specified time limit raises skepticism among some opposition parties, who doubt whether the bill will be executed even by the 2029 elections. Furthermore, there is a demand for an OBC sub-quota and a controversial ‘caste census’ as additional prerequisites.
Although reservations for women exist at the lowest tiers of government in panchayat raj institutions, the bill’s passage in state legislatures and Parliament has been a long-standing issue. Previous attempts to pass the bill have failed, with the Deve Gowda-led government, Vajpayee government, and Manmohan Singh government all facing obstacles.
The Modi government now faces a crucial test in the 2024 elections against a united opposition. The passage of the Women’s Reservation Bill could potentially give the government an advantage, as it demonstrates a commitment to gender inclusivity in leadership positions. In the last general election, there was a marginal increase in women candidates, with 78 women elected as Members of Parliament.
Despite this progress, India still lags behind other countries in terms of women’s representation in politics. Countries like Rwanda, South Africa, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Bangladesh have higher percentages of women MPs. It is crucial for more women to enter politics as equal participants to counter the inequalities faced by women in various areas.
Empowering women in politics can also have a positive impact on other sectors. While more women are pursuing higher education and joining the workforce in metropolitan cities, the national picture reveals a different story. Reports indicate a significant dropout rate among women in the workforce. Additionally, crimes against women remain a persistent issue, highlighting the subjugation of women in a patriarchal society.
Prime Minister Modi has emphasized the importance of women’s empowerment and advocated for a women-led development approach. However, these words must be translated into action. To enhance women’s participation in decision-making, more women leaders are needed at both regional and national levels.
India’s progress in women’s empowerment and gender parity still falls short, as highlighted in a recent report by UN bodies. It is crucial for political parties to play an active role and allocate a significant number of seats to women candidates in upcoming elections. This would set an example and demonstrate genuine commitment to women’s empowerment.
Bridging the gender gap requires collective efforts, both by the government and political parties. While the Women’s Reservation Bill signifies a step in the right direction, more concrete actions are needed to achieve true gender equality in India.
