Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam Bill, India
Introduction
A few days ago, when I was discussing some society issues with the RWA chairperson, who happens to be a lady, she mumbled about her effectiveness in handling the RWA. At the same time, she told me she wanted to enter politics, but because of her husband’s reluctance, she couldn’t.
Her husband was also there. The moment grew a bit awkward when he gleefully admitted that he had deliberately kept her out of politics.
He held his ears and said that politics, especially in India, is not easy for women, and he is quite aware of its perils.
This sentiment resonates with my husband as well, who directly advises me not to write on political issues, in his opinion,’ I might be in the nascent stage, and don’t have a great fan following, anything criticising the government can lead to severe criticism which I can’t handle by myself.
But this time, I decided to write for all the obvious reasons.
- It is about women’s representation in parliament.
- It is about the importance of women in politics.
- It is about getting rid of the fear of dirty politics against women.
- It is about fighting the elections on women’s issues and then sidelining the same after winning.
- It is about giving a fair share of power in politics.
- This is to improve the standard of living of women who have been deprived at every level.
- This is to listen to the voice of half of the population through their own ears.
Reservation for Women: From a Common Woman’s Perspective
Although democracy is promoted as the best system for a nation in which leaders cannot violate the mandate of the general public, the truth is that women’s presence is consistently ignored worldwide.
Women have never gotten their fair share of power that they truly deserve.
Throughout history, women have consistently been denied the equitable distribution of power that they rightfully deserve. Despite their significant contributions to society in various fields, including politics, business, and culture, women often find themselves underrepresented and marginalized.
This ongoing inequality underscores the need for systemic change to ensure women have equal opportunity to hold positions of influence and make decisions that impact their lives and the world around them.
Isn’t it ironic that, despite being an integral part of society and having countless rules and regulations across the world, women have not gotten what they deserve without any movement?
The system is hijacked everywhere by male counterparts, and whenever a female got a chance to enter the fray, it was only for the family members, so that there wouldn’t be a power struggle for males. Isn’t it unethical and unjustifiable?
This is so prevalent even now. We witness this, and those at the top blatantly follow this trend. This is not the case of Nepotism. This is to protect their own power and ensure no power transfer to others, especially the general public who vote for them.
Thus, the question remains the same: “When will women get an even-handed and legitimate share in power? When will the wind be in their favor without making them feel like ‘taken for granted’?
Men claim 90% of the seats in power. Everyone speaks up for women, but when it comes to giving them a chance, everyone backs off. And in this process, women’s morale is not only lowered, but they are also made to feel that it would be better not to move forward.
That’s why women need proper representation in power.
Women need to have proper representation in positions of power because diverse voices and perspectives lead to more balanced decision-making. When women are included in leadership roles, they can advocate for policies that address issues uniquely affecting them and contribute to a more equitable society. Ensuring women’s representation helps to challenge stereotypes, inspire future generations, and create an environment where all individuals have an opportunity to thrive.
| Table of Women’s Participation in the Indian General Election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Serial no | Election Year | Number of women contestants | Women MPs | Percentage of Total MPs |
| 1 | 1951-52 | N/A | 22 | 4.5% |
| 2 | 1957 | 45 | 22 | 4.45% |
| 3 | 1962 | N/A | 31 | 6.28% |
| 4 | 1967 | N/A | 29 | 5.58% |
| 5 | 1971 | 86 | 28 | 5.41% |
| 6 | 1977 | 70 | 19 | 3.51% |
| 7 | 1980 | 143 | 28 | 5.29% |
| 8 | 1984 | 171 | 43 | 7.95% |
| 9 | 1989 | N/A | 29 | 5.48% |
| 10 | 1991 | 330 | 39 | 7.30% |
| 11 | 1996 | 599 | 40 | 7.37% |
| 12 | 1998 | 274 | 43 | 7.52% |
| 13 | 1999 | 284 | 49 | 9.02% |
| 14 | 2004 | 355 | 45 | 8.29% |
| 15 | 2009 | 556 | 59 | 10.87% |
| 16 | 2014 | 640 | 66 | 12.15% |
| 17 | 2019 | 716 | 78 | 14.36% |
| 18 | 2024 | 797 | 74 | 13.60% |
Too little, too late, or Never Too late to start
Can you believe New Zealand was the first nation to grant women full voting rights in 1893?
The first wave of women’s suffrage lasted forty long years (1893–1930), and only then did women gain the right to vote, let alone the power to share the franchise with their male counterparts. And that too happened in a few countries.
Imagine being an integral part of the societal frame and yet deprived of basic power, and here comes the notion that ‘ Women are better at home’. How sad it is!
Following the infamous Epstein scandal, there have been more doubts about the likelihood of women choosing politics as a career.
Is it safe to be in public life, because women are actually unsafe anywhere in the world, and this is not just an assumption; the statistics of violence against women show this.
Facing unfair treatment even before birth, women are facing innumerable issues ranging from their trafficking to sexual offences against them, poor education to poor medical facilities for them, acute food insecurity to inadequate political representation, online harassment to physical harassment.
The struggle to survive in a world where they are legitimate citizens is real; yet, they are at a loss and find it difficult to speak up for their rights.
Women’s Reservation Bill, India
The last census in India was conducted in 2011, and the next census has recently begun. Therefore, we are currently unaware of the actual percentages of different groups in the country.
A few months before the last general elections in 2024, the ruling party hastily passed the Nari Shakti Vandan Act Bill to reserve 33% seats for women in Parliament to augment their participation.
Before the assembly elections in five states, the government introduced the Delimitation Bill 2026 in Parliament, disguising it as the Women’s Reservation Bill.
So, basically, the government was trying to pass the Delimitation Bill without proper population data. When it couldn’t get sufficient support in the parliament, they started blaming the opposition and touted them as ‘Anti-Women’.
I am still puzzled about the fate of this bill, as the census has just started, and all the statistics show that women in India lack proper representation. Not only that, I doubt the fate of the same bill passed by the parliament three years ago, as the government is using it to fool half the population.
It seems that the government wants to lure half of the population without giving them what they need, what they deserve, and what they are still deprived of.
What do women ask from Society?
History is witness to the rights and space that women have today; they fought countless battles and made countless sacrifices. This fight is still going on. Although society gave women some of their rights, there was no reduction in the atrocities against them.
For how long can women be considered subservient to their male counterparts?
For how long will women have to face discriminatory treatment from society?
For how long will women fight to get their voices heard?
For how much longer will women quietly endure their circumstances?
Conclusion
Women are the foundation of society; no society can progress without the development of women.
A society that silences women’s voices slowly erodes its own future. It is crucial to awaken and enable women to progress in the world without fear or hesitation.
In the Context of Women’s Reservation
Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam Bill, India
Table of Contents
Introduction
A few days ago, while discussing societal issues with the chairperson of the RWA, who happens to be a woman, she quietly questioned her own effectiveness in handling responsibilities. During the conversation, she revealed her aspiration to enter politics, but admitted that her husband opposed the idea.
Her husband, who was present during the discussion, openly admitted that he had intentionally kept her away from politics. According to him, Indian politics is harsh, unsafe, and particularly difficult for women.
This sentiment echoes within many households. Even my husband often advises me not to write on political issues because criticism against the government can invite backlash that may become difficult to endure alone.
Yet this time, I chose to write.
- It is about the importance of women in politics.
- It is about eliminating fear and intimidation against women in public life.
- It is about leaders fighting elections on women’s issues and later abandoning them.
- It is about ensuring equal participation in decision-making.
- It is about improving the living standards of women deprived at every level.
- It is about hearing the voice of half the population through their own representatives.
Reservation for Women: From a Common Woman’s Perspective
Democracy is often celebrated as the best system of governance because leaders are expected to respect the mandate of the people. Yet across the world, women continue to remain underrepresented in positions of power.
Throughout history, women have been denied equal participation despite contributing immensely to politics, business, culture, education, and social reform. Their marginalization highlights the urgent need for systemic change that ensures equal opportunities and equal power-sharing.
Ironically, women form an inseparable part of society, yet they rarely receive what they deserve without prolonged struggles and movements. Power structures across societies remain heavily dominated by men, and whenever women enter politics, they are often treated as extensions of powerful families rather than independent leaders.
This pattern continues even today. Political power frequently circulates within select groups to avoid genuine transfer of influence to ordinary citizens, especially women from common backgrounds.
Men continue to occupy the overwhelming majority of positions in power. While everyone speaks in favor of women’s empowerment, hesitation appears the moment women demand actual participation.
Women require proper representation in governance because diverse leadership creates balanced decision-making. Their presence in policymaking helps address issues uniquely affecting women and encourages a more equitable social structure.
Table of Women’s Participation in the Indian General Election
| Serial No. | Election Year | Women Contestants | Women MPs | % of Total MPs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1951-52 | N/A | 22 | 4.5% |
| 2 | 1957 | 45 | 22 | 4.45% |
| 3 | 1962 | N/A | 31 | 6.28% |
| 4 | 1967 | N/A | 29 | 5.58% |
| 5 | 1971 | 86 | 28 | 5.41% |
| 6 | 1977 | 70 | 19 | 3.51% |
| 7 | 1980 | 143 | 28 | 5.29% |
| 8 | 1984 | 171 | 43 | 7.95% |
| 9 | 1989 | N/A | 29 | 5.48% |
| 10 | 1991 | 330 | 39 | 7.30% |
| 11 | 1996 | 599 | 40 | 7.37% |
| 12 | 1998 | 274 | 43 | 7.52% |
| 13 | 1999 | 284 | 49 | 9.02% |
| 14 | 2004 | 355 | 45 | 8.29% |
| 15 | 2009 | 556 | 59 | 10.87% |
| 16 | 2014 | 640 | 66 | 12.15% |
| 17 | 2019 | 716 | 78 | 14.36% |
| 18 | 2024 | 797 | 74 | 13.60% |
Too Little, Too Late, or Never Too Late?
New Zealand became the first nation to grant women voting rights in 1893. The first wave of women’s suffrage lasted nearly four decades before women across several countries gradually secured the right to vote.
Imagine being an essential part of society while remaining deprived of basic political power. Society repeatedly glorified the notion that “women are better at home,” restricting their participation in public life.
Even today, safety concerns discourage women from entering politics. High-profile scandals, violence, harassment, trafficking, unequal education, poor healthcare, and online abuse continue to create barriers against women’s participation.
Women continue to struggle for survival, dignity, and equal rights in societies where they are legitimate citizens yet often treated as secondary participants.
Women’s Reservation Bill, India
India’s last census was conducted in 2011, and the country is currently undergoing another census process. Accurate demographic representation remains uncertain until updated data becomes available.
Before the 2024 General Elections, the government passed the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, proposing 33% reservation for women in Parliament and State Assemblies.
However, political debates intensified when discussions around delimitation emerged alongside the reservation framework. Questions were raised regarding implementation timelines, population data, and the political motivations surrounding the bill.
The larger concern remains whether the legislation will truly transform women’s political participation or continue to remain a symbolic promise used during electoral campaigns.
What Do Women Ask From Society?
History bears witness to the countless sacrifices women made to secure the rights and freedoms they possess today. Yet discrimination and violence continue despite decades of reform.
- For how long will women be treated as subordinate?
- For how long will society normalize discrimination?
- For how long will women struggle merely to be heard?
- For how much longer will women silently endure injustice?
Conclusion
Women are the foundation of society. No civilization can truly progress while denying equal opportunities, equal dignity, and equal representation to half of its population.
Empowering women politically is not an act of charity; it is an act of justice, democracy, and social balance.
Genuine articles for genuine readers.
