House in disorder: Fewer women representatives lead to unequitable policies

Data shows gender participation matters for democracy and gender equality

All else being equal, developing countries that have a higher share of women parliamentarians are more likely to pass comprehensive laws on sexual harassment, rape, divorce and domestic violence. They find that gender participation matters for democracy and gender equality.

The democratic process requires the participation of all citizens. When women are absent, this results in unequitable social policies and unfair political processes. Women’s political inclusion challenges both power structures and relations that undermine the consideration of women’s needs and interest in policy-making. The inclusion of women in decision-making is a democratic good in itself and breaks male dominance in politics.

But the data says that women’s participation in democratic structures in India is inadequate in proportion to their population, and what is worse, is going down. The last round of the Assembly elections is an example. In Mizoram, known for woman-centred households, no woman was elected to the House as against one in the last  Assembly. In Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, the number of women in the new assemblies has reduced. Only in Chhattisgarh,  the representation of women has increased.

The Congress has renewed the demand for quota for women in legislative bodies. This is probably a pipe dream. But there is a correlation between representation of women in democratic institutions and progressive policies. Countries that ignore this reality do so at their peril.

Source: Data-PRS, Analysis: Aditi Phadnis