SOCIOLOGY

POLITICAL REPRESENTATION OF WOMEN

SUBMITTED BY: SUJIT KUMAR. SUBMITTED TO: RITU SHARMA

ROLL NO.: 72BALLB18

NATIONAL LAW UNIVERSITY

DELHI

2019
 Table of Contents

 Declaration ………………………………….. 3

 Introduction …………………………………. 4-5

 Chapter 1 ……………………………………. 6-9

 Chapter 2 ……………………………………. 10-11

 Chapter 3 ……………………………………. 12-14

 Conclusion …………………………………... 15-16

 Bibliography ………………………………… 17
 DECLARATION

I hereby declare that the work reported in the research paper entitled
“Political Representation of Women” submitted at National Law
University, Delhi is an outcome of work carried out under the
supervision of Prof. Ritu Sharma. I have duly acknowledged all the
sources and references from where the ideas have been taken. To the
best of my understanding, the project is free from any plagiarism
issue.

SUJIT KUMAR

National Law University, Delhi

14th September 2019

 INTRODUCTION

In today’s era women are breaking the shackles of the past and posing a stiff challenge to
their male counterparts. Women today are occupying more and more spaces and have been
instrumental in shaping the development of the country. They in no way want to be in the
ambience of archaic and discriminatory practices of the society. When we talk of
representation of women, they have been leading the charts in some very distinguished fields
such as technology, sports, academia, government jobs, cinema and many more. However,
socially they are given a very large value but politically they have merely been reduced to
vote banks. So, the research paper will analyze as to how political representation will accrue
benefits and empower them to tackle day to day problems. The talk of women’s reservation
bill is not new, the issue of political representation has surfaced every time whenever the
election season approaches. The research paper will also look at different aspects in favor and
against the bill. The most important part of the paper would be to look at the caste-based
argument which in some way diminishes the aura of the reservation bill which is feministic in
nature which addresses women in general and does not look at the ground reality of caste-
based discrimination among women, but the paper will also pose an argument that the
decisions relating women must be taken by them alone and frame laws accordingly and not
by their male counterparts. It will also analyze the sociological perspective as to what kind of
impact it will have on society such as empowering women further and giving them the same
space as enjoyed by their male counterparts.

OBJECTIVES

 To understand the concept of topic as to what is the need for political representation.
 The second chapter would deal with the concept of intersectionality which will
address as to how we look into the grievances of women belonging to lower category.
 Then, the last chapter would try to focus on the sociological aspect of political
representation of women as to how its beneficial both individually as well as for the
society.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

The research methodology is doctrinal in nature and the method is descriptive.

RESEARCH SCHEME

The research paper is divided into three chapters namely:

 Why political representation?
 Intersectionality.
 Sociological impacts of political represenatation.

CHAPTER 1
 WHY POLITICAL REPRESENTATION

Historically, we have seen the plight of women as to how they were considered second class
citizens and were made subject to archaic and discriminatory laws and practices of the
society. From the practice of sati to the becoming of a child bride at a very early age, they
were deprived of their rights as individuals and were not allowed to avail social, economic,
political and educational opportunities. The traditional notion attributed to them or their
ascribed status was limited to look after the family, kids and were mainly quarantined to
household work. It was believed that a woman can be a good wife only if she cared for her
husband and family and thus her activities were largely limited to her house depriving her of
all the opportunities enjoyed by her male counterpart. Not only these, people even didn’t
want to have a girl child and preferred a boy over a girl and thus the cases of female feticide
went on exponentially increasing and is prevalent in today’s world also. However, laws were
eventually made to end these barbarous practices relating sati and child marriage, but all
those were on the insistence of men and women were largely kept out of decision-making
bodies.

Thus, political representation can provide women a space to enter into the decision-making
process and thus frame laws inarguably suiting their interests. We have seen legislators
framing laws to eradicate discriminatory practices against women, but in all those we find
that the law makers were mostly men and thus the views largely remained one sided and
women’s views were never incorporated thus rendering the law ineffective. For example, we
have Child Marriage Restraint Act prohibiting child marriage but still child marriages are
prevalent in many regions of the country. We too have a legislative prohibition on dowry but
still we see the intake of dowry in almost every part of the country. The cases of sex
preference and female feticide are on a hike these days. These typical examples are just to
suggest that despite the presence of these laws favoring women, their efficacy is often
doubted as these discriminatory practices still exist in the society. 1 So, its imperative that
women rise up to the occasion and demand political representation as to subsume their views

1 Manisha Desai, ‘Multiple Mediations: The State and Women’s Movements in India’ (2005)
and opinions in the decision-making process and making the laws more stringent by adding
more and more stricter penalties on their breaches.
History is testimony to the fact that women have played a very vital role in moulding
country’s present and future. Who can forget the active participation of women in country’s
struggle for independence and acts of their fortitude which were instrumental in dismantling
British rule in India. Their participation in the Salt March and Quit India movement along
with the Father of the Nation ‘Gandhiji’ and how they vociferously protested against the
British rule still remains afresh in our memories. We have seen some of the strongest women
leaders like Sarojini Naidu, Sucheta Kriplani, Laxmi Sehgal, Aruna Asaf Ali who even went
on being arrested by the British authorities.

In the present scenario, women have been making important strides in their sojourn and have
been dominating the field they embark upon. Women in particular have been highly
successful at entrepreneurship, various examinations, cinema, journalism etc. and many
more. Despite of all these accolades earned by them in various fields, they are subject to
entrenched patriarchy and sexism in the society. The prevailing hyper masculinity and male
chauvinism always tries to question the potential of a woman despite of their tremendous
success at various fields. The glare of a women’s success is often blurred by the male
dominated society which often tend to undermine their efforts and potential. 2 Still in today’s
society we see the male members dictating as to what should they wear, what time they need
to report home etc. and many more things were women are not allowed to make independent
decisions of their own. So, the decision making is highly bereft of what a woman thinks
rather it’s the society dictating as to what her decision would be and that’s why there is a dire
need for political representation of women.3

Political representation would also entail a woman deciding on issues mostly affecting them
because what we have seen is that it’s the male legislators deciding as to what problems do
women face and subsequently forming laws thus making it devoid of the thoughts of a
woman and thereby reducing the efficacy of such a legislation. The women of this country

2 Sumita Ray, ‘The Women’s Reservation Bill of India: A Political Movement towards Equality for Women’
(1999)

3 Manisha Desai, ‘Multiple Mediations: The State and Women’s Movements in India’ (2005)
must be allowed to frame laws for them and thereby reducing male interference in their
matters which will somehow enhance the credibility and effectiveness of such a law. Taking a
cue from the real life ‘Padman’ K Murungannantham, it was a man who talked about
women’s menstrual health and raised awareness regarding the usage of sanitary pads. This
shows as to how women despite of their travails fear speaking for themselves and their issues
due to lack of a proper platform. So, the dire need today is to provide them a platform to and
nothing can be a better platform than to have political representation in parliament.

Also, if we look from a sociological point of view, we will find that a huge chunk of society
comprising of rural women is highly subjected to gruesome practices of society such as child
marriage, female infanticide, dowry etc. Also, the cases of domestic violence are on a hike
against them which never gets reported owing to the unawareness and high illiteracy
prevailing in those rural areas. Thus, political representation can provide such a woman step
to the occasion and apprise the country of their predicaments. 4 This will also allow women to
question the prevailing discriminatory laws and practices and thereby empowering them.
Thus, a woman legislator will be able to focus upon empowerment of such women, enhance
their educational standards, provide them economic opportunities. And in the words of Dr.
B.R Ambedkar where he says, “I measure the progress of a community by the degree of
progress which women have achieved”. So, in order to empower and develop a society its
imperative that the women are empowered. They must not be bound by the shackles of past
and must be provided unfettered restriction on what they choose to do. Also, political
representation of women will lead to strengthening of democracy in our country and thereby
making the system more robust and efficient. This will also be reflective of views of lots of
individuals who earlier thought were excluded from the system and thereby making people
believe in the democratic functioning of the country. Thus, it will also be responsive to
greater citizen needs and adhere to people’s demands.5

Political representation would also help in achieving gender equality in the society whereby
women would be able to break orthodox stereotypes and challenge discriminatory norms. It
will give women a chance to stand neck to neck with their male counterparts and pose a stiff

4 Manisha Desai, ‘Multiple Mediations: The State and Women’s Movements in India’ (2005)

5 Rachel Brule, ‘Empowering effects of women in politics’ The Hindu Business Line ( USA, 29 Jan 2019)
challenge to them.6 Also, along party lines, it will make political parties more democratic in
nature as women’s representation will be able to break male hierarchy and male dominance
within the party. Now, in the urban and elite culture too, we find women riddled with a
plethora of problems such as sexual harassment at work places which was evident in the
recent ‘Me Too’ tirade against the offenders, also the huge income gap between them and their
male counterparts remains a big concern thereby becoming an obstacle in achieving gender
equality. Thus, giving representation would allow women to speak on these issues and frame
laws accordingly suiting to their needs.

Despite various political interventions and numerous laws legislated in favor of women, their
efficacy is often doubted in terms of their enforcement. 7 Lack of enforcement remains one of
the greatest reasons of crimes still being purported against them in large numbers with no
repercussions against the offenders. Often these law enforcement agencies are filled up with
men who have little regards for women’s rights and equality thereby reducing the lustre of
laws and constitutional provisions mandating gender equality and subjecting them to
discrimination, abuse and inequality. Thus, women’s reservation bill reserving 1/3 rd of the
seats in parliament seems to be a stepping stone towards achieving women’s empowerment
and equality in the society.

CHAPTER 2

INTERSECTIONALITY

6 Nivedita Menon, “Elusive ‘Woman’: Feminism and Women’s Reservation Bill” (2000)

7 Sumita Ray, ‘The Women’s Reservation Bill of India: A Political Movement towards Equality for Women’
(1999)
Over the last few decades since the aura surrounding women’s reservation bill came into the
picture, the pot always kept boiling over its passage. While we may hail its introduction due
to various intrinsic benefits it carries with it, the same wasn’t the case with everyone.
Arguments were made both in favor and against the bill. The ones who supported it backed
by stating that political parties in itself is an outright display of patriarchal nature and hence
increasing women representation will eradicate prevailing hyper masculinity in future. Even
the party formed on caste lines such as BSP and the parties whose such as AIADMK, TMC
etc, whose president being some of the prominent women leaders like Mayawati and Mamata
Banarjee have failed to provide enough space for women leaders within their party.
Reservations too will enhance women’s representation and hence they would be able to act as
a strong lobby. Thus, the nature of debating and policy preference will see a sudden shift.
Now, the pertinent arguments which were made against the bill are that it is violative of
Article 14 of the constitution as it promotes inequality on the basis of one’s gender, it was
also argued that women cannot be considered as socially backward communities since they
aren’t a socially homogenous group, then it was said that such a legislation will arouse
similar kind of demands from other groups existing in the country.8

Among all the opposing arguments, the argument which became one of most sought
argument which completely raised questions over the effectiveness of such a legislation was
the argument of Intersectionality. Former JDU leader Sharad Yadav made a statement that ‘if
allowed reservations the entire parliament would be run by short-haired women’. Now, the
statement at the earliest may seem to be misogynistic but when fit into the scheme of debate
of this bill, it makes a lot of sense. It is just to suggest that the entire representation of women
would just comprise of elite class with no or little representation of women belonging to
lower strata of society who are in real in dire need of such representation. So, what we see in
our society is that the structure itself distinguishes women into two distinct categories. The
first one being the women of elite class comprising of little population and the other one
consisting women belonging to rural part of the country and belonging to lower strata of
society. So, the society itself is indicative of a huge disparity among women itself. 9 Now, if

8 Nivedita Menon, “Elusive ‘Woman’: Feminism and Women’s Reservation Bill” (2000)

9 Nivedita Menon, “Elusive ‘Woman’: Feminism and Women’s Reservation Bill” (2000)
we analyze among women as to which section of women is dire need of representation we
would find that it’s the women belonging to lower strata of society needs such a legislation.
So, the caste based argument completely defeats the purpose of the legislation as its quite
evident that such a legislation would only be able to cater the demands of elite class and
upper caste women, thus reducing the efficacy of such a wonderful legislation. So, the
votaries of women’s reservation bill wanted a quota within quota to address the plight of
women belonging to lower caste and thereby enhance their representation at the highest
forum. Hence, the bill should address on the representation aspect as to how its going provide
reservations to those who are in dire need of such representations because its the women
belonging to lower caste who are subject to archaic and discriminatory practices of the
society. So, when these women would be able to reflect upon their problems in the parliament
and talk upon issues which affect them, the society in itself will feel empowered and hence
there will be a sudden change in the patriarchal attitude of men towards women.

Hence, the last point which i am trying to make is extremely crucial. It is that this bill must
not be reduced to ashes in the tsunami of feminism and advocacy of women’s rights rather the
limelight must be upon the inherent structure of society taking every section of the society
into consideration. So, addressing women as a whole will completely defeat the purpose of
such a legislation which does not address the entire section of the society.

Although, the potential for women’s empowerment thorough these reservations is huge, but
given the existing inequities of caste and class, gender quotas alone won’t be able to make
tremendous difference.So, in light of the existing intersectionality in the society, it will be
wise to allot quotas within women to make it inclusive of the women of each and every case
thereby making it representative of all the views that affect women and to ensure that a large
number of women leaders emerge out thereby strengthening our democracy.

CHAPTER 3

SOCIOLOGICAL IMPACTS OF POLITICAL

REPRESENTATION
We have had a period in early Aryan Civilization where women were revered a lot and held a
vey respectable place in the society. Women like Gargi and Maitriya played a very
instrumental role in influencing the society. So, there is a dire need for cultural revitalization
in today’s era to ensure that women today have the same respect which they were given
earlier.

Now, its important to be individual and society centric as to how this women’s reservation
bill will be instrumental to bring about a positive change within an individual and what would
it mean for the society. We have seen the emergence of a lot of women leaders in the country
but the common thread connecting almost all of them is that either they are dynast or are
wives and daughters of some of the prominent male leaders. This is the reason why the term
‘biwi-beti brigade’ became highly popular in the midst of the debate surrounding women’s
reservation bill. Some the great women leaders like Indira Gandhi, Mayawati, J Jayalaita
etc. who made a mark on international level were either dynast or wives and daughters of
male political leaders.10 But, things have been changing way fast and we have seen the
emergence of some of the women leaders who came steering through patriarchal lines and
dynast politics. We have women leaders at present like Mahua Moitra and Nusrat Jahan who
are a perfect epitome of women trying to bring about a positive change and influencing the
thoughts of patriarchal nature of the society. Who can forget Nusrat Jahan who despite being
a Muslim wore saree and applied Sindoor at the forehead on the first day of her parliament
session after the general elections just to send out a strong message that for her all the
religion are equal for her and she has great reverence for all the religion. It was however
symbolic of a larger message which challenged the male dominance in the society which
dictated a women as to what she has to dress and thus making her bereft of her own choices
and decisions11. Thus, allowing representations will give women a chance to raise her voice
which for decades has been shut by the male dominated society. It will also try to incorporate
more and more women belonging to different strata of society into politics as women now

10 Manisha Desai, ‘Multiple Mediations: The State and Women’s Movements in India’ (2005)

11 Sandra Pepera, ‘Why Women in Politics? < https://womendeliver.org/2018/why-women-in-politics/>

would think of making a career in politics due to the existence of reservations. 12 Due to such
legislations women too will feel empowered about their rights and thus will be able to make a
positive change in the society.

Now, the representation of more and more women in the parliament would also try to bring a
positive shift of attitude of men towards women. So, what we see in our society is the
differential attitude of the society in the working of a men and women legislator. If a women
legislator roams around her constituency at midnight with her co-workers, she is hurled with
disparaging comments questioning her work ethic while on the other hand society appreciates
the same if the same work is carried out by a male legislator. Thus, if there are significant
number of women legislators, the society will realize the importance of work carried out by
them and never question the credibility of their work.13

Despite various hurdles, elected women leaders have made a stark difference in the society.
Women leaders have focused upon community’s progress in general than in a general well
being of few. From advocating for equal rights to the general water problem, they try to cover
a range of issues beneficial for the society. Women too have been very keen on their
education, denial of which has kept them in darkness over decades. Women today have been
very active and working fearlessly without being intimated by their male counterparts.
Women too have organized themselves to make political party more responsive in nature to
their demands by sensitizing other women voters on the process of their voting. This in a way
will allow women in making their own choices for those candidates who they prefer to vote
and not something which is directed to them in the patriarchal setup by their husbands or
other male members of the society.14

Thus, increased representation would somehow affect society’s mentality positively and will
start considering women as an integral part of the society thereby giving them the opportunity

12 Sumita Ray, ‘The Women’s Reservation Bill of India: A Political Movement towards Equality for Women’
(1999)

13 Rachel Brule, ‘Empowering effects of women in politics’ The Hindu Business Line ( USA, 29 Jan 2019)

14 Manisha Desai, ‘Multiple Mediations: The State and Women’s Movements in India’ (2005)
to participate and opine their views in the decision making process. It will thereby empower
both the society and an individual.

CONCLUSION

Despite of all the intrinsic benefits associated with women’s political representation and its
growing clamour day by day, there still remains various grey area to be covered and various
obstacles coming in way of it.
Now, women’s reservation and their standing in elections is just half the battle won. We have
had 1/3rd reservation for women at the village level under the Panchayati Raj Act. The
experiences of various women’s groups and their studies suggest that women face a lot of
difficulties in carrying out their political duties. They are often kept out of the decision
making process. For ex- a woman sarpanch’s husband is the one who makes decision on her
behalf and she carries out the household work. They are never consulted on key issues and
they are never informed of the meetings. Male members of the Panchayats often resist and
cause impediment to their participation. The women members are often made to sit on the
floor instead of a chair and the male members continue to intimidate and humiliate them if
they insist on taking part in the daily affairs of the Panchayat. They just come to sign relevant
documents and leave entire matter of utmost importance to their husbands. Often their
husbands are the de facto decision makers. So, we find that despite of the existing reservation
at the village level, it has not been able to bear fruits successfully and hence reducing the
efficacy of such an affirmative action taken in favor of women and their empowerment.

The possibility of happening of such things can be at the higher level also, but still Parliament
is a place where everybody gets a fair opportunity to present their points without any sort of
interference. The women legislators too can take support of media to opine their views on
matters of utmost importance. Thus, the reservation bill look to be promising in nature.

Also, the argument of quota within quota to enhance the representation of women belonging
to lower caste is a plausible argument as it would make the legislation more inclusive in
nature because it’s the women belonging to rural India and lower strata of society which are
subject to huge discrimination. Thus, giving them representation would be or value are
valuable to the purpose of legislation.

The most important challenge which comes at the fore is that there is need for mobilization of
female candidates to stand for election. The reasons for this can be manifold. They are either
reluctant to stand for elections owing to the pressure generated within the family of family
commitments. The other reason could be their illiteracy. The women are always told not to
occupy male spaces and keep themselves confined to kitchen.

But despite of the impediments, this bill aims to enhance political representation of women
and empower them socially, politically and economically. Often what we see is that
politicians just realize their value at the time of elections and merely reduce them to vote
banks. Since, women are the most integral part of the society who play a very instrumental
role in the structuring and shaping of the society, they need adequate political representation.
This will also help us achieving gender equality in the society.

So, we should hope that the women’s reservation bill gets passed in the parliament as soon as
possible and this bill must not be made a political tool by the political parties just garner
women’s votes. This bill must be seen in the light of a progressive legislation which will help
in empowering women of our country and thereby building a more developed and
progressive society.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Articles
 Manisha Desai, ‘Multiple Mediations: The State and Women’s
Movements in India’ (2005)
 Nivedita Menon, “Elusive ‘Woman’: Feminism and Women’s
Reservation Bill” (2000)
 Sumita Ray, ‘The Women’s Reservation Bill of India: A Political
Movement towards Equality for Women’ (1999)
 Rachel Brule, ‘Empowering effects of women in politics’ The Hindu
Business Line ( USA, 29 Jan 2019)
 Sandra Pepera, ‘Why Women in Politics?