The Women’s Reservation Bill, 2023 reserves one-third of seats in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies for women. This article looks at its history, why its implementation is tied to delimitation and the census, and whether reservation alone can address under-representation.
Women in India have been breaking the glass ceiling of a male-dominated society in every sector except politics, an arena that continues to lag in the representation of women and still faces a significant deterrent: the perception, rooted in a patriarchal society, that women do not have the privilege to govern. It is demoralising to see that women hold merely 15% of the seats in Parliament when India is celebrating its 75th year of independence.
The discourse on women’s reservation in India dates back to before independence, when the Government of India Act, 1935 introduced reservation for women, though it was never implemented. After independence, women’s reservation was brought forward when the National Perspective Plan for Women (1988) recommended that 30% of seats be reserved for women in all elected bodies. Despite considerable attempts and discussions over the years, a bill for reservation could not secure approval until recently, when the Indian Parliament passed the Women’s Reservation Bill, 2023 (the 128th Constitutional Amendment Bill), also known as the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, the first bill to be passed in the new Parliament building.
This landmark legislation reserves one-third of the seats in the Lok Sabha, the State Legislative Assemblies and the Delhi Assembly for women, including within the seats reserved for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, for a period of 15 years, which is extendable. The need for the bill arises from the under-representation of women in Parliament, with only 15.2% in the Lok Sabha and 13% in the Rajya Sabha.
The evident fact about the Bill is that it will not come into effect soon, as it is bound to two exercises: delimitation and the census. Unfortunately, it has been tied to them even though reservation has nothing to do with delimitation. The Bill is also in jeopardy of becoming political tokenism, or of becoming a vehicle for dynastic politics, with political power remaining within certain influential families rather than unlocking opportunities for new and diverse voices.
Reservation is insufficient, and may even prove ineffective, in addressing the larger issue of gender inequality and discrimination in Indian society. Instead of relying on reservation alone, the government can look to comprehensive reforms, including changes in political culture, electoral funding and social attitudes, which are needed to ensure the meaningful empowerment of women in politics.
The argument surrounding reservations is a complex and contentious one. While proponents argue that reservations are vital to address historical injustices and foster social equity, opponents assert that such policies can perpetuate discrimination, hinder meritocracy and create divisiveness. It is essential to consider the nuances of each position and strive for balanced solutions that address inequalities without compromising the principles of fairness and equal opportunity.
