Tracing Gender Norms in the Political Sphere: A Study on the Nizamabad (Urban) Assembly Constituency of Telangana

Abstract

This paper seeks to analyze the political representation of women in India in the present times. Females, who account for 48.46% of India’s population (2011 Census), are quite under-represented in the Indian Parliament, although their representation in both the Houses of the Parliament, as well as in ministerial positions, has been increasing gradually. There is a significant prevalence of Sarpanch Pati, and husbands overriding the power of elected wives, in the political sphere. This paper seeks to understand the behaviour and opinion of respondents regarding this issue, with the help of qualitative interviews that were conducted in the Nizamabad Urban Assembly Constituency of Telangana. The open-ended questions resulted in the descriptive opinion of the respondents. The study highlighted the fact that the mindset of the voters is still against the active role of women in politics. The research found that 57% of the respondents feel that in politics, there is a need for male assistance for women. This implies the existence of gender inequality and patriarchal gender norms in the political sphere. Nonetheless, it is hoped that the new women’s reservation bill can shatter the prevailing glass ceiling, in the political arena.