Women’s Reservation Bill

The 17th Lok Sabha witnessed the highest number of women ever in Parliament, with 78 women members of Parliament elected from all over the country. Women’s representation in the Lok Sabha has increased from 11.3% in 2014 to 14% in 2019, coming across as a positive development. However, the diversity composition within the group of elected women candidates needs further analysis along the lines of caste, class, religion and ethnicity.

Adding to this, these numbers are also significantly lower in India than its neighbouring countries like Nepal (30%), Pakistan (20.2%) and Bangladesh (20.6%). The relatively stronger representation
of women in these countries is due to the implementation of legislated gender-based reservations. This increased representation of women in politics is seen to grab local, national and global attention on issues of violence against women and grow awareness around sexual harassment and mental trauma.