What Factors Influence Women’s Political Participation in India?

Context:

This analysis is based on "What Factors Influence Women’s Political Participation?" It explores the dynamics of women’s engagement in Indian politics, drawing from Rajeshwari Deshpande’s study in Studies in Indian Politics (November 16, 2024), which analyses National Election Studies (NES) data.

1. Rising Voter Turnout: NES data shows women’s voter turnout in Indian elections has steadily increased, narrowing the gender gap and signaling a growing "woman constituency" in electoral politics.
2. Patriarchal Barriers: Social norms limit women’s participation beyond voting; cultural expectations tied to household roles restrict their involvement in rallies, campaigns, or leadership positions.
3. Regional Variations: In states like Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and West Bengal, women’s political preferences align with strong regional parties rather than national gender-based trends, reflecting local political cultures.
4. Historical Party Support: Congress has traditionally enjoyed higher female support than male, a trend consistent in 2024 (except 2014), highlighting gendered voting patterns linked to welfare policies.
5. Complexity of Engagement: Women’s political behavior defies simple narratives—e.g., their support for Trump in 2016 (US) or participation in India’s 1990s riots shows diverse motivations beyond gender identity.
6. Education and Awareness: Higher literacy and political awareness boost women’s participation, though access to education remains uneven, especially in rural areas.
7. Policy Influence: Welfare schemes targeting women (e.g., Ujjwala, Beti Bachao) enhance their electoral engagement, but don’t necessarily translate to broader political roles.
8. Structural Challenges: Lack of representation in party leadership and candidate nominations (despite 33% reservation in local bodies) limits women’s influence in decision-making.
9. Evolving Role: Women are transitioning from passive voters to active political actors, though societal and institutional reforms are needed to sustain this shift.

Link To The Original Article – https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/what-factors-influence-womens-political-participation/article69345520.ece