AUTHOR: Admin
INTRODUCTION
With 1.4 billion people and a female population ratio of about 48.4%, India is the largest democracy in the world. However, we lag significantly behind other democratic nations when it comes to the issue of female lawmakers. Therefore, the question of whether legislative reservations for women are actually required arises. Since India’s independence, this issue has been up for discussion. Most recently, the Bharat RashtraSamithi (BRS) political group in New Delhi requested a women’s reservation law following a protracted hunger strike.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
When we studied the Indian National Movement, which faces political discrimination against women. Politicians like Sarojini Naidu and Begum Shah Nawaz complained about the treatment of women under the new constitution in a letter to the British Prime Minister in 1931. They asserted that accepting special treatment would be contrary to Indian women’s unwavering demand for full political equality. After much discussion and disagreement, the 73rd and 74th amendments to the Indian constitution were finally approved in 1992, stating that:
- All state governments must allocate one-third of the seats in Panchayati Raj Institutions to women, as well as one-third of the chair positions at all Panchayati Raj Institution levels and in Urban Local Bodies, proportionately; and
- One-third is reserved for women from Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe.
WHAT IS THE WOMEN’S RESERVATION BILL?
The Women Reservation Bill (The Constitution (108th Amendment) Bill, 2008) aims to provide one-third of all LokSabha and state legislative assembly seats to female candidates.
FOREGROUND OF THE BILL
- Women from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes shall receive one-third of the seats allotted to such groups in the LokSabha and Legislative assembles.
- Reserved seats may be apportioned by rotation to different districts within the state or union area.
- For 15 years from the start of this Amendment Act, seats designated for women won’t be available.
Under DeveGowda’s leadership, the 81st Amendment Act was first brought into the House of Commons in September 1996. After being rejected by Congress, it was sent to the Joint Congressional Committee, which delivered its report to the House of Commons in December 1996. entrusted. When the structure broke down, the locomotive mackerel was off. The legislation was brought back by the administration during the 12th Congress, however it failed to take effect. Under the direction of Manmohan Singh, this bill was first proposed in the Rajaysabha in 2008 and enacted on March 9, 2010.
WHAT JUSTIFIES THIS BILL’S NEED?
India is ranked 48th out of 146 nations in the Global Gender Gap Report 2022 for Political Empowerment (Percentage of Women in Parliament and Ministerial Positions). Women’s concerns, such as violence against women, sexual harassment, and other crimes, will receive more attention when there are more women in politics. Encouragement of effective management and a rise in the number of women in leadership positions are the first steps to making sure they are held to a standard of political responsibility.
Reservations for women in Panchayati raj institutions have positive consequences by disrupting patriarchal hierarchies. For instance, ChhaviRajawat, a native of Rajasthan and a highly educated person, gave up her prominent job to work to better her community. Despite the challenges they face, women in politics are doing fantastic work as leaders in municipal organisations and other fields.
REASONS IN SUPPORT OF THE BILL
- Dismantling Patriarchy: The bill contends that affirmative action is urgently required to improve the situation of women since political parties are essentially patriarchal.
- Insufficient representation: Several studies have found that a certain proportion of women are underrepresented in politics and parliament. The introduction of the women’s reserve of rights law would guarantee gender equality and participation.
REASONS VOTED AGAINST THE BILL
- Lack of uniformity: It has been argued that the homogeneity of the caste group prevents the establishment of caste-based reservations for women.
- Dissolution of Families: Because male chauvinism is so prevalent in politics, some individuals think that politics might undermine family values.
HOW CAN THE REPRESENTATION OF WOMEN IN POLITICS IN INDIA BE IMPROVED?
Since the nation’s independence, women’s representation in politics has been a subject of contention, and previous administrations have implemented a number of changes. Even though many modern constitutions provide equal rights for women. They have had difficulty making an impression in a number of fields, including politics. But here are some things you can do to increase the number of women in politics:
- Seat reservations: reserving particular seats in legislative and local assemblies. In many rural parts of India, women have been given seats and have gone on to do outstanding work in their disciplines.
- Increasing Public Awareness and Education: It’s important to inform women of their rights and the advantages of participating in politics. Programmes for lobbying and education can help with this issue.
CONCLUSION
The concept underlying the women’s reservation fee has grown. It is vital for political professionals to get this degree in order to significantly improve the standing and position of women in Indian society. The responsibility for ensuring that this charge is enacted into law rests with our legislators and law writers. It will provide women from various castes, classes, and social groups an opportunity to take charge and use it for the benefit of Indian society. It is crucial that this charge not end up being nothing more than a piece of paper. It should result in a law that is implemented to ensure the safety, security, and wellbeing of women in India.