The Involvement Of Women In Politics And Political Empowerment Of Women Through The Ages

Abstract

In this study an attempt has been made to explore the historical and contemporary involvement of women in Indian politics, charting their journey from the pre-independence era to present times. Using a historical research methodology, archival records, legislations, and scholarly articles were analysed to track the trajectory of women's political participation. The study finds that women played pivotal roles in the Indian freedom struggle with leaders like Sarojini Naidu and Sucheta Kriplani marking their presence. Post-independence, while the Indian Constitution endorsed gender equality, the actual political representation of women remained limited due to various socio-cultural barriers. Decades later, women like Indira Gandhi began to influence national politics, with the 73rd and 74th Amendments acting as significant milestones by advocating for reserving 33% of seats for women in local governance. Contemporary leaders like Mamata Banerjee and Mayawati further solidified women's roles in politics. However, challenges persist, notably in the areas of women’s safety and adequate representation in Parliament. The future prospects for women in politics seem promising with the rise of education, technology, and societal shifts, but a genuine transformation requires systemic interventions beyond mere tokenism.