In a groundbreaking decision, India’s Parliament has passed legislation reserving 33% of seats in its influential lower house and state legislatures exclusively for women. This move aims to ensure more equal representation in the political arena.
The Journey of the Bill
The approval of this legislation marks the end of a 27-year-long deadlock, primarily due to disagreements among political parties. However, the law will not be in effect for the upcoming national elections. Instead, it will be implemented in the 2029 national elections, following a new census and the adjustment of voting districts, as stated by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
The bill witnessed overwhelming support in both houses of Parliament. The lower house passed the legislation with a 454-2 vote, while the upper house approved it unanimously, 214-0.
Despite the broad consensus, opposition parties voiced their concerns about the delay in the bill’s implementation, emphasizing that it should be applicable for the next national elections scheduled before May of the upcoming year.
Details of the Legislation
The legislation mandates that only women can contest the reserved 33% of seats in the lower house of Parliament and state legislatures. This reservation will be in place for 15 years, with the possibility of an extension by Parliament.
Historical Attempts and Opposition
Home Minister Shah highlighted that since 1996, three different governments made four attempts to pass this legislation, all of which were unsuccessful.
Women constitute over 48% of India’s vast population of more than 1.4 billion. Yet, their representation in Parliament stands at a mere 15.1%, significantly lower than the global average of 24%. In state legislatures, women hold approximately 10% of the seats.
The primary opposition to the bill in the past came from regional parties. They contended that the reserved seats would be dominated by educated urban women, leaving the less educated and impoverished women without representation.
However, over time, resistance to the bill diminished. The Indian Express newspaper commented on this shift, suggesting that the changing political landscape now values being seen as responsive to emerging constituencies, such as women.
Societal Context
India, predominantly a patriarchal society, often undervalues the work and contributions of women compared to men. This legislation is a step towards challenging these deep-rooted norms and ensuring that women have a more significant say in governance.
Conclusion
The approval of this legislation is a monumental step towards gender parity in India’s political landscape. While the wait for its implementation continues, the move signifies a progressive shift in the nation’s approach to inclusive governance.
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