| Authors | Lokesha M K |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Journal | North Asian International Research Journal of Social Science & Humanities |
| ISSN | 2454-9827 |
| Volume | 11 |
| Issue | 7 |
| Pages | 92-100 |
| Publication Year | 2025 |
| Publication Date | July 01, 2025 |
| DOI URL | https://doiglobal.org/10.2025/NAIRJCSSH.007 |
Women's political participation is indispensable to representative democracy, yet numerical presence and substantive influence do not automatically coincide. India presents a striking paradox: women participate extensively as voters and have acquired constitutionally protected representation in local government, while their presence in Parliament and State Legislative Assemblies remains comparatively limited. This paper examines women's political representation in India through the concepts of descriptive, substantive and symbolic representation. Using a qualitative and analytical methodology supported by recent electoral and institutional evidence, it studies candidate nomination, party structures, socio-economic constraints, political finance, reservation, local-government experience and the continuing debate over legislative quotas. Recent nationwide analysis by the Association for Democratic Reforms reported that women constituted only about 10% of 51,708 candidates examined across the current Lok Sabha and State/UT assembly elections and about 10% of sitting MPs and MLAs covered by the study. These figures illustrate that the central barrier is not simply voter participation but access to candidature and winnable political opportunities. The paper argues that reservation can correct structural underrepresentation, but quotas alone cannot guarantee substantive empowerment. Political parties, campaign finance, leadership development, institutional support and women's autonomy within political organizations remain crucial. The study concludes that gender-inclusive democracy requires a transition from symbolic inclusion to durable political power and policy influence.
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DOI: 10.2025/NAIRJCSSH.007
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North Asian International Research Journal of Social Science & Humanities
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