The Hindu Editorial Analysis- 21st September 2023 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Legislating change

Why in News?

The Union Cabinet cleared the women's Reservation bill, which seeks to reserve 33% of seats in Parliament and legislative Assemblies for women. This legislation has been stuck for 27 years and has seen renewed interest.

Details

• Over the years, the number of women candidates contesting Lok Sabha elections has increased gradually, from 45 in 1957 to 726 in 2019. However, the representation of women MPs has not seen a similar increase.
• The Women's Reservation Bill, also known as the Women's Reservation (Amendment) Bill, is a crucial piece of legislation in India aimed at promoting gender equality in political representation. The bill has been introduced in Parliament multiple times since 1996, but it has not yet been passed into law due to various political challenges and opposition.
• The Bill aims to reserve 33% of seats in Parliament and legislative Assemblies for women is unlikely to be implemented before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and is expected to be rolled out after the delimitation process, potentially in 2029.

Features of the proposed bill

• Percentage of Seats: The proposed bill suggests that 33% of the seats in both the Lok Sabha (the lower house of Parliament) and state legislative assemblies would be reserved specifically for women. This means that one-third of the total seats in these legislative bodies would be set aside for female candidates.
• Affirmative Action: The reservation quota is a form of affirmative action aimed at addressing historical gender imbalances in political representation. It seeks to ensure that women have a fair and substantial presence in the decision-making processes of the government. This is crucial for promoting gender equality and empowering women in the political sphere.
• Constitutional Amendment: Implementing such a reservation quota would require a constitutional amendment, as it involves altering the composition of elected bodies in India. Constitutional amendments typically require a special majority in both houses of Parliament.

• Purpose: The bill also incorporates a rotation system for the reserved seats. Under this system, the reserved seats for women would rotate among different constituencies in successive elections. The goal is to prevent the concentration of reserved seats in specific areas or constituencies and to ensure that women from various regions have the opportunity to participate in the political process.
• Preventing Monopoly: The rotation system prevents the creation of a permanent women's quota in specific regions, which could lead to a concentration of women representatives from those areas. Rotating the reserved seats encourages geographic diversity in women's representation.
• Demographic Diversity: In addition to geographic diversity, the rotation system also promotes demographic diversity among women representatives. It ensures that women from different communities, backgrounds, and social groups have the chance to represent their constituencies over time.
• Fairness and Inclusivity: By avoiding the permanent allocation of seats to specific constituencies, the rotation system promotes fairness and inclusivity in women's political representation. It allows women from a wide range of backgrounds to participate in the political process.

Overall, the combination of the reservation quota and the rotation system in the proposed Women's Reservation Bill aims to not only increase the representation of women in Indian politics but also to ensure that this representation is diverse and equitable across different regions and communities.

Significance of the Women's Reservation Bill

• Historical Underrepresentation: Historically, women have been significantly underrepresented in India's political landscape. This underrepresentation perpetuates gender inequality as it restricts women's ability to influence policies and decisions that affect their lives.
• Political Empowerment: The Women's Reservation Bill aims to rectify this historical imbalance by reserving a certain percentage of seats in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies for women. This proactive measure ensures that women have a fair opportunity to participate in the highest levels of decision-making in the country, promoting gender equality in politics.
• Symbolic Importance: Beyond the practical implications, the bill carries immense symbolic importance. It signifies that Indian society recognizes and values the contributions of women in politics, sending a message that women’s voices and perspectives are essential in shaping the nation's future.

• Access to Political Arena: The Women's Reservation Bill empowers women by granting them equal access to the political arena. It breaks down traditional barriers and prejudices that may have discouraged women from entering politics in the past, such as social norms and lack of opportunities.
• Enhancing Political Skills: As more women enter politics and gain experience, it helps in building their leadership and governance skills. This empowerment extends beyond politics, as women who succeed in the political sphere can become role models for others, inspiring greater participation in various fields.
• Policy Influence: Through political participation, women gain the power to influence policies that directly impact their lives and those of their communities. This empowerment translates into tangible changes in areas such as healthcare, education, gender-based violence, and economic opportunities.

• Addressing Gender-Specific Issues: Increased female representation in politics brings attention to gender-specific issues that may have been overlooked in the past. Women often advocate for policies related to maternal health, childcare, gender-based violence, and economic opportunities that directly affect women and families.
• Enhancing Decision-Making: Diverse perspectives lead to more comprehensive and balanced decision-making. When women are actively involved in policymaking, the resulting laws and regulations are more likely to consider the needs and interests of the entire population, not just a segment of it.
• Social and Cultural Change: Female political leaders can challenge traditional gender roles and norms, inspiring broader social and cultural change. Their presence in politics can help break down stereotypes and create a more inclusive and gender-equal society.

Challenges that have hindered the passage of the Women's Reservation Bill

• Concerns about Existing Reservations: One of the primary challenges facing the Women's Reservation Bill is political opposition from some parties and leaders. They express concerns that the bill may dilute or disrupt existing reservations for marginalized communities, particularly Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and Other Backward Classes (OBCs). These reservations were implemented to address historical social and economic disparities.
• Conflict of Interests: Some political leaders worry that implementing the bill's reservation quota for women may result in competition for seats between women candidates and those belonging to marginalized communities. This conflict of interests can create resistance to the bill, as political parties seek to balance these considerations.

• Varying Party Stances: Building a consensus among India's diverse political parties has proven to be challenging. Different parties have varying stances on the issue of women's reservation. While some parties are strong advocates of the bill and its goals, others remain opposed or are hesitant about supporting it.
• Political Calculations: Political parties often make calculations based on their electoral strategies and voter demographics. The bill's impact on these calculations can lead to political divisions and a lack of consensus on its passage.

• Patriarchal Norms: Deep-rooted patriarchal norms and gender biases in Indian society continue to be significant obstacles to women's participation in politics. These norms can manifest in various ways, including the belief that women are less capable of leadership or that politics is a male-dominated domain.
• Family and Societal Pressures: Women often face family and societal pressures that discourage them from pursuing a career in politics. Concerns about safety, traditional gender roles, and societal expectations can dissuade women from taking an active role in politics.
• Violence and Harassment: The political arena in India is not immune to gender-based violence and harassment. Women politicians and candidates have reported instances of threats, harassment, and violence, which can act as deterrents to their participation.

• Consensus Building: Bringing different political parties together to find common ground is crucial. This might involve negotiations, compromises, and discussions to address the concerns and interests of all parties involved. Building a consensus can pave the way for the bill's passage through legislative bodies.
• Public Awareness: Raising public awareness is essential to generate support for the bill. This can be done through public campaigns, seminars, workshops, and social media campaigns. Highlighting the positive impact of increased female representation in politics and its contribution to a more inclusive and diverse government can help build public support.
• Advocacy: Women's rights organizations, activists, and civil society groups play a vital role in advocating for the bill. They can engage in lobbying efforts, organizing rallies, and using their platforms to push for the bill's passage. Grassroots mobilization and public pressure can influence policymakers to prioritize the issue.
• Addressing Concerns: It's important to acknowledge and address the concerns raised by political parties that may oppose the bill. This may involve conducting research and providing data to demonstrate that the bill won't negatively impact existing reservations. Additionally, developing a fair rotation system to ensure equitable representation for women without displacing other marginalized groups can help alleviate opposition.

• The Women's Reservation Bill, with its goal of reserving 33% of seats for women in Parliament and legislative assemblies, represents a significant step toward achieving gender equality in Indian politics. However, overcoming political challenges and societal norms remains crucial for its successful implementation. Advocacy, public awareness, and consensus-building efforts are essential for moving forward with this important legislation.