Political reservation and its impact on women’s political participation in India: A review

Abstract

After centuries of struggle, India achieved independence in 1947. The concept of India was founded on equality, democracy, and harmony. In the hope of making this country a model for unity in diversity, the founding fathers of the Constitution emphasized the secular, socialist, democratic, and republican system, as well as justice, freedom, and equality for all regardless of caste, sex, religion, or place of birth. As the largest democratic nation in the world, India strives to promote and include all of its residents in the country's social, economic, and political activities. For the inclusion of women in the political affairs of the country and to make them visible in the decision-making process, the government came up with the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992. The present paper is an attempt to make a review of the existing literature about the problems and prospects of the reservation system for women. It is argued that though the reservation system has brought changes in the politics of India, but women's representation is still limited, and their decision-making power is also restricted. The study provides some suggestions and recommendations to the government and other stakeholders that will help in the removal of obstacles and barriers to women's political participation.