Women in Politics: Participation and Governance

By B.K. Malhotra

Women play a dual role in politics - as voters and politicalrepresentatives. On the voting front, though adult franchise was grantedin 1937, it was the progressive spirit that pervaded the making of theconstitution that made it a reality. The Constitution of India guaranteesequal rights to men and women as voters and citizens. Generally, inIndia, registration and participation of women as contestants is less thanthat of men. In recent past, records show that there has been an increasein the percentage of women who vote. Such participation is also contingenton the mobilisation efforts made by political parties, NGOS, Action Groupsand the general awareness among the community of the importance ofwomen exercising their franchise.