Participation in politics

Abstract

This chapter assesses women’s active and passive political participation. Based on the evidence, one can infer that Indian women are becoming politically mobilized, yet there is still a lack of mass political participation among them. The recognition of women as a political category is still an emerging phenomenon. Women as voters have outnumbered men in national elections in many of the states, as well as in many state assembly elections. However, looking at women’s participation in the traditional electoral activities that people undertake for a party or a candidate, not many women were found to be active participants. The educational and economic independence of women has enabled them to take an active part in politics and related activities. Women’s association with various political and non-political organizations is also determined by their social position. Positively, the proportion of active women participants has gone up, but that rise is still limited. Various socio-cultural and structural barriers block women’s entry into politics or engagement in political activities. Therefore, to bring women into mainstream politics, one has to identify these barriers and effectively deal with them. Women need to be provided with an environment that motivates them to be active in politics.