Despite 33% Quota, Women's Representation Still Low: President Murmu

New Delhi: President Droupadi Murmu addressed the persistent issue of underrepresentation of women in India's judiciary, legislature, and executive branches, even after the enactment of the Women's Reservation Act in 2023. Speaking at the Constitution Day celebrations organized by the Supreme Court, the President emphasized that while the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam (Women's Reservation Act) was a "historic step" towards empowering women, true progress requires a shift in societal mindset.

The Women's Reservation Act, officially the Constitution (106th Amendment) Act, aims to reserve one-third of the seats in the Lok Sabha (lower house of Parliament) and state legislative assemblies for women. Despite the passage of this landmark bill, women continue to be underrepresented in key decision-making bodies. As of 2023, women held only 15.2% of seats in the Lok Sabha and 13.9% in the Rajya Sabha (upper house), which is not covered by the reservation law. The global average of women in parliaments is 27%, while India stands at approximately 14%.

President Murmu highlighted the low representation of women in the judiciary, noting that the Supreme Court has only one woman among 33 judges. Citing data, she pointed out that women constitute only 13% of High Court judges and 35% of trial court judges.

The President urged a comprehensive assessment of the progress made in achieving the constitutional goals of justice, equality, liberty, and fraternity for every citizen over the past 75 years. She challenged the nation to evaluate its progress and strive for improvements in the next 24 years, leading up to the centenary of the Constitution's adoption.

The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam was passed by both houses of Parliament with near unanimity in 2023, but its implementation is contingent upon the next census and delimitation exercise. This process of redrawing constituency boundaries is expected to take several years, potentially delaying the actual implementation of the quota until the 2029 elections.

The President's call for a change in mindset reflects the deep-rooted socio-cultural barriers that hinder women's political participation. These barriers include traditional gender norms, limited mobility and influence outside the home, lower levels of political knowledge, safety concerns, and discrimination within political parties. While surveys indicate that a majority of Indians believe that women and men make equally good political leaders, women often struggle to advance without the patronage of powerful male figures.

To address these challenges, President Murmu advocated for societal and institutional changes to promote women's empowerment. She referenced her father's advice to "move forward, but also look back and encourage those behind you to move ahead," emphasizing the importance of supporting and uplifting women. She also suggested introducing simplified versions of the Constitution in schools to promote greater public engagement with constitutional values.

Efforts to increase women's representation in politics have been ongoing for decades. In 1993, India reserved one-third of the seats in village councils and urban civic bodies for women. Some states have even increased reservations to 50%. While these measures have shown success in empowering women at the local level, their impact on higher levels of political representation has been limited.

Despite the challenges, the passage of the Women's Reservation Act represents a significant step forward. Once implemented, the reservation is expected to significantly increase the number of women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. However, as President Murmu emphasized, achieving true gender equality requires more than just legislative action; it demands a fundamental shift in attitudes and a commitment to creating a more inclusive and equitable society.