How can more women join politics in India?

WorklifeIndia

Despite progress in women’s representation as politicians in many parts of the world, there are deep-seated biases that they need to conquer on a daily basis. Only 24 countries have women serving as heads of State or government, according to a recent study by the United Nations; it also says that, at the current rate, gender equality in the highest positions of power cannot be attained for another 130 years.

India ranks better than the US and the UK in terms of political empowerment of women, according to a World Economic Forum report released last year. But of the country’s 28 states, only one has a woman chief minister.

How can there be better representation of women from grassroots to the highest roles in Indian politics? Would mandatory reservations for women in legislative bodies help?

In this edition of WorklifeIndia, we discuss how more women can join politics in India.

Presenter: Devina Gupta

Contributors: Supriya Shrinate, national spokesperson, Indian National Congress; Dipsita Dhar, student activist, Communist Party of India; Shaina NC, spokesperson, Bharatiya Janata Party