WOMEN AND ELECTORAL POLITICS IN INDIA: ASSESSING THE SOCIAL IMPACT OF WOMEN'S REPRESENTATION

CrossRef DOI: https://doi.org/10.56815/IRJAHS/2021.5-12

Abstract

The social impact of women’s representation in electoral politics in India is explored in this study. The study also emphasizes how the increment in women's participation shapes governance, public policy, and gender equality. The study examines historical trends in women’s political representation from independence to the 2019 general elections via the adopting the qualitative approach based on secondary data. The influence of reservation policies at local governance levels, including the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments, on women’s empowerment and policy outcomes is also assessed in this study. The study aligned with the perspective of feminist and political representation theories whcih pave the way for understanding both the progress made and the structural challenges that persist, including tokenism, gender-based violence, and underrepresentation in urban and national politics. From the findings of the study it has come to know that besides the positive impact of quotas, there are significant barriers to achieving equitable representation. The study significantly contributes to the discourse on gender and politics as it sheds light on both achievements and critical gaps in research and policy implementation.