Representation of women in elections
As far as the representation of women in surveys is concerned, there has been a slight upward trend over the last 15 years.
The proportion of women participating in parliamentary elections has increased from 2.9 percent in 1957 to almost 10 percent in 2024.
This represents a steady increase compared to previous elections: 7 percent in 2009, 8 percent in 2014 and 9 percent in 2019.
Contribution of the parties
In the area of party contributions for the representation of women in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Indian National congress (INC) and All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) are the most important contributors.
The BJP led with 69 women candidates among 440 candidates for the Lok Sabha, which is 16 percent. The Congress party was able to field 41 women candidates out of 327, which is 13 percent.
Notably, the proportion of female candidates was higher among smaller parties and regional actors.
The Naam Tamilar Katchi achieved gender balance with 50 percent female candidates. Other parties with significant female representation are the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) and the Nationalist Congress Party, both of which have 40 percent female candidates.
In both the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), 33 percent of the members were women, while the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) had only 29 percent. The Samajwadi Party (SP) had 20 percent and the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) had 25 percent.
Success rate and historical trends
The success rate of women candidates has fluctuated over the decades. In the 18th Lok Sabha (2024), there were over 13.62 percent women MPs. This is a slight decline from the 17th Lok Sabha, which had the highest percentage of women at over 14 percent.
Dynamics at the state level
The development at the state level shows a mixed picture. In some states the number of female winners has decreased, while in others it has increased slightly.
These differences highlight the unique political landscapes in the Indian states and the uneven development of women’s rights. political representation.
State-specific highlights
India: Among 29 candidates, four women emerged as winners, a decrease from seven in 2019. Notable winners include Aparajita Sarangi and Sangeeta Kumari Singh Deo of the BJP. In addition, there are concerns about the dominance of candidates with royal backgrounds, potentially marginalising grassroots leaders.
India: Bijuli Kalita Medhi was the only female winner among twelve candidates. Despite the high voter turnout, only one BJP candidate was able to secure a seat.
Chhattisgarh: Three of the eleven seats in Parliament are held by women, although 29 women ran. The major parties BJP and Congress each fielded three women, with limited success.
Maharashtra: Seven of the 17 female candidates nominated by the major parties from a huge pool of voters were elected as MPs, suggesting symbolic representation rather than real gender equality.
Notable winners
In the 2024 elections, women candidates like Hema Malini of the BJP, Mahua Moitra of the TMC, Supriya Sule of the NCP and Dimple Yadav of the SP came out on top and eventually won.
Newcomers like Kangana Ranaut and Misha Bharati also made headlines with their victories. The most recent winners included 25-year-old Priya Saroj and 29-year-old Iqra Choudhary of the Samajwadi Party.
Despite the high level of participation, none of the three Transgender candidates who ran independently won seats. The total number of candidates was 8,360.
Global and national context
Despite increased participation of women, India still lags behind other nations in gender representation in Parliament.
According to the Inter-Parliamentary Union’s Parline database, India has fallen to 143rd out of 185 countries in the world rankings for women’s representation in the lower house of parliament.
While 46 percent of MPs in South Africa are women, the figure is 35 percent in the UK and 29 percent in the USA.
India ranks behind several countries such as Vietnam, the Philippines, Pakistan and China, highlighting that there is a significant disparity in gender representation on the international stage.
As of April 2024, there were 77 women MPs in India, accounting for 14.7% of all seats in the Lok Sabha. This modest number comes despite the Indian Parliament passing a law last year reserving one-third of the seats in the Lok Sabha for women – a law that has still not been implemented.
Women’s participation in India’s Lok Sabha elections shows their growing participation in political life. However, the modest increase in the number of winners indicates that systemic and societal obstacles remain.
Women’s insights into Indian politics
For Women in politicsOne of the biggest challenges many women face is balancing their professional commitments with their domestic duties. Udita Tyagi, a senior BJP politician, summed up this struggle when she said, “Politics is a full-time job, not a part-time project. Women often have to juggle many different responsibilities at home, and sometimes it is a challenge to juggle both roles effectively.” Tyagi’s words underscored the double burden many women carry, a reality that can deter even the most passionate women from fully throwing themselves into a political career.
The pressure extends beyond the home. Women in politics are often subjected to harassment and slander designed to undermine their credibility. Tyagi stresses: “It is deeply hurtful when people question their character or spread rumours. Pressure from the family is a major reason why women are less active in this field.”
Inspiration and barriers
For others, like Sheetal Chaudhary, a BJP councillor in Patel Nagar, Ghaziabad, the drive to enter politics stems from a desire to fight gender inequality and support marginalised communities. Chaudhary spoke about the motivations that drive her political path: “The fire within me to make a difference led me into politics… My main goals are gender equality and women’s empowerment, quality education and healthcare for all, and environmental sustainability.” However, she acknowledged the obstacles she faces, including the challenge of balancing family and political commitments, and the underrepresentation of women due to persistent gender biases and stereotypes.
Tarunima Srivastava, spokesperson for the Aam Aadmi Party in Uttar Pradesh, also stressed the socio-economic barriers that women face. She highlighted the lack of education and understanding of political processes as major obstacles. “Socio-economic conditions such as poverty and illiteracy have often prevented women from running for public office or even contesting elections,” she explained.
The burden of patriarchy and cultural norms
Dolly Sharma, AICC member and INC candidate for the Ghaziabad Lok Sabha 2024, spoke about the widespread patriarchal attitudes that continue to limit women’s participation in politics. Sharma identifies cultural and social norms, economic barriers and the threat of violence and harassment as the main factors that keep women away from active politics. “Despite some progress through initiatives such as gender quotas, significant challenges remain,” she noted.
But for Sharma and many others like her, the drive to make a difference outweighs the obstacles. “I am motivated by a strong commitment to social change, a desire to represent and empower other women, and a determination to break down barriers for future generations,” she explained.
Advice for aspiring female politicians
Drawing on their experiences, these women share a common message for those who want to enter politics: believe in yourself, stay resilient, and build strong support networks. Tyagi advises staying true to your political ideology, while Chaudhary emphasizes the power of sisterhood and mutual support among women in politics. Srivastava and Sharma both stress the importance of education, mentorship, and challenging stereotypes.
