Aug 16, 2024
By: Prerna Tyagi
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Women’s involvement in decision-making is crucial for a nation’s progress, influencing everything from laws and policies to societal norms. Yet, despite growing recognition of its importance, this set of data by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation shows there’s still much work to be done to achieve balanced representation in India.
Women’s representation in India’s Central Council of Ministers stands at 13.7%, a modest increase from previous years but still below the desired levels. Although, it is observed that when women choose to contest elections, they have a relatively higher success rate than men, but the overall representation remains disappointingly low.
The proposed Women’s Reservation Bill is a significant step forward, aiming to reserve 33% of seats in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies for women. This bill is designed to correct the gender imbalance in political representation and ensure women have a fair say in legislative matters, bringing us closer to gender parity.
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On a more positive note, local governance has seen impressive strides. Thanks to the 73rd and 74th amendments, 22 states have implemented 50% reservation for women in Panchayats and Municipalities. States like Manipur have even exceeded this with 50.7% female representation in local bodies, 50.7% of the elected representatives are women even though the state has no such legal provision. Nationwide, over 1 million women now serve in various local administrative roles.
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Women’s participation in voting has also seen notable improvements. In the 2014 elections, 65.6% of women voted, and this figure rose to 67.2% in 2019. Interestingly, in 2019, the women’s voter turnout even surpassed total voter turnout in nine regions, including Meghalaya and Uttarakhand. This means that in these areas, women were more active in voting compared to the general population, highlighting increasing political awareness and engagement among women.
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The judicial system, however, still lags behind in gender representation. Currently, only 3 out of 33 Supreme Court judges are women, and women make up just 14% of High Court judges. This underrepresentation calls for a more inclusive approach to ensure that women’s perspectives are reflected in judicial decisions, fostering a more just and empathetic legal system.
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In the realm of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), women are making significant contributions. According to data from the Udyam Portal, women-owned MSMEs represent 20.5% of all registered units, generating 18.73% of total employment and contributing 11.15% of total investment. This highlights the vital role women play in driving economic growth and employment.
The impact of women extends to informal micro-enterprises as well. Data from the Udyam Assist Portal reveals that women own 70.49% of informal micro-enterprises, contributing to 70.84% of employment in this sector. Their involvement in these enterprises is crucial for economic stability and job creation.
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Women are also making their mark in the startup ecosystem. Since January 2016, DPIIT has recognized 1,17,254 startups, with 55,816 (47.6%) led by women. This significant presence underscores the growing influence of female entrepreneurs in shaping India’s business landscape.
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