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Women participation in Indian elections has been increasing gradually over the past few years. Giving a boost to women participation in the parliament, two regional parties in India — Biju Janata Dal (BJD) of Odisha and Trinamool Congress (TMC) of West Bengal — have each reserved over one-third of the seats in the upper house of the parliament for women. While Biju Janata Dal (BJD)<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/general-elections-2019-bjd-to-reserve-33-lok-sabha-tickets-for-women/articleshow/68356398.cms"> announced</a> a 33% reservation for women in parliament, Trinamool Congress (TMC) surpassed BJD, claiming to allocate 41% Lok Sabha tickets to women, ahead of India’s general elections. In contrast to this, Bharatiya Janata Party only has 23 women candidates of the total 184 members, according to<a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/columns/women-s-representation-parties-must-walk-the-talk/story-NGhORToONQCo3TNCqKJPGK.html"> a recent analysis</a> by Gilles Verniers, who is a politics professor at Ashoka University. While Congress has merely 17 women candidates in total of 143 members. At present, of the 42 MPs in West Bengal, 13 are women. While Odisha has three women MPs in Lok Sabha. The move comes a decade after Women’s Reservation Bill, 2008 was introduced in Rajya Sabha, which would have set aside a quota for women. However, it failed in Lok Sabha back then Given that the bill has not been passed in the parliament, the representation of women in Parliament may also woo women voters in the country. Talking of the reservation bill, Mamta Banerjee, Trinamool Congress Chief reportedly said that the move is “a challenge to all political parties in India.” Last week, Indian National Congress (INC), in its manifesto, announced that it will pass the Women’s reservation bill in the first session of the 17th Lok Sabha, which will allow the reservation of one-third of seats in the parliament and state Assemblies for women. The proportion of ministerial posts held by women in India is significantly low. Presently, India has 64 women leaders in 545 Member of Parliament, which is 12% of the total count, as per the data by World Economic Forum (WEF). See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/general-elections-2019-bjd-to-reserve-33-lok-sabha-tickets-for-women/articleshow/68356398.cms">Women in Politics: Odisha’s BJD says it will grant a third of Lok Sabha tickets to women</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india-has-a-new-all-women-political-party-aimed-at-bridging-the-gender-gap/articleshow/67144962.cms">India has a new 'all women' political party aimed at bridging the gender gap in its Parliament</a>

Only two political parties in India have given women their due representation

<ul><li>Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has announced a 33% reservation quota for women for BJD Lok Sabha seats. </li><li>The opposition has termed it a ‘pre-poll game plan’ to enhance female voters. </li><li>The last Lok Sabha elections recorded 61 women leaders in the country.</li></ul>In a bid to woo women voters in the upcoming general elections, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, on Sunday <a href="https://www.news18.com/news/politics/bjd-will-reserve-33-seats-for-women-says-naveen-patnaik-ahead-of-poll-schedule-announcement-2062231.html">announced</a> a 33% reservation quota for women for its Lok Sabha seats. That means out of total of 21 tickets, seven will be reserved for women. While addressing a function in Kendrapada, Patnaik reportedly said that the government will send 33% women to Parliament in the upcoming elections, calling it a benchmark for ‘women empowerment’ in the country. If India has to compete globally, with countries including America and China, women empowerment is a must, he added. The move was, however, labeled as a ‘pre-poll game plan’ by the opposition parties, to increase the number of women voters. The party also faced criticism for introducing reservation quota just ahead of election schedule announcement. Presently, the state has three women Lok Sabha MPs. Its state assemblies have 12 women MLAs. In 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the BJD secured 20 of 21 seats. Taking a step towards women empowerment, Patnaik, in December, had also seeked to pass Women’s Reservation Bill, which was pending in Lok Sabha. Women participation has been increasing in politics, though far from the 33% quota, previous Lok Sabha elections <a href="https://www.ndtv.com/elections-news/election-results-2014-61-women-elected-to-lok-sabha-562470">recorded</a> 61 women leaders. The proportion of ministerial posts held by women in India is low. Presently, India has 64 women leaders in 545 Member of Parliament, according to the World Economic Forum. Separately, bridging the gender gap in the country, a National <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india-has-a-new-all-women-political-party-aimed-at-bridging-the-gender-gap/articleshow/67144962.cms">Women’s Party</a> was also launched in December last year aimed at ensuring 50% participation from women in the Parliament. The party will also reportedly contest in Lok Sabha elections next month. See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india-has-a-new-all-women-political-party-aimed-at-bridging-the-gender-gap/articleshow/67144962.cms">India has a new 'all women' political party aimed at bridging the gender gap in its Parliament</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/general-elections-2019-india-expects-over-15-million-first-time-voters-in-the-18-19-year-age-group/articleshow/68353207.cms">General Elections 2019: India expects over 15 million first-time voters in the 18-19 year age group</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/general-elections-2019-election-commission-to-closely-monitor-social-media-regulate-all-political-ads/articleshow/68351473.cms">General Elections 2019: Election Commission to 'closely monitor' social media, regulate all political ads</a>

Women in Politics: Odisha’s BJD says it will grant a third of Lok Sabha tickets to women

<ul><li><keyword id="10056242" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="political-shakti">Political Shakti</keyword>’s, a non-partisan collective formed to encourage more women to join the parliament, latest campaign before <keyword id="175111" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bihar-elections">Bihar Elections</keyword> reminds the audience that more women in leadership positions will make for a better democracy.</li><li>The campaign is conceptualised by FCB Ulka.</li></ul>Political Shakti, a non-partisan collective that aims to bring more women in leadership positions in politics, has launched a powerful campaign before Bihar Elections. Conceptualised by FCB, the ad film demands political power for women. Its objective is to enable more women to be elected as MLAs &amp; MPs in the parliament. It talks about how women in India lack basic rights today. Titled Half Is Ours/Aadha Humara, the short film uses two common languages spoken in Bihar i.e., Bhojpuri &amp; Maithili. It puts light on important social issues such as child marriage, lack of access to clean and seperate toilets for girls in school, alarming rate of sexual violence against women in India. <div type="Youtube" id="LOUpkvQWaY0" title="Shakti Half Is Ours/Aadha Humara" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/LOUpkvQWaY0/mqdefault.jpg"></div> The ad film leaves the audience with a very important question, “When you can’t see us, how can you see your issues?” To build a safe environment for women in India, it is important to address their issues and let the leaders voice every woman’s concerns in the parliament. More women will make for a better democracy and a happier country, reminds the ad. It has also launched a ‘Selfie Campaign’ that encourages mukhiyas, sarpanches, and women leaders in politics that support Shakti’s cause to click a selfie and advocate for gender equality in politics within their party. For every 10 men in Vidhan Sabha, there is less than 1 woman. Women constitute only 11.8% (64 of 543) seats in the Lok Sabha and 11% (27 out of 245) seats in the Rajya Sabha. A 2017 report by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and UN Women said that between 2010 and 2017, the share of women representatives in the Lok Sabha rose only by 1%. To bridge this gap, Shakti has also joined hands with 120+ Bihar organizations, universities &amp; eminent personalities to demand 50% MLA tickets for women.

This campaign ahead of the Bihar elections reminds people that the country needs more women in politics to help end discrimination against women

<ul><li>The number of members of Parliament under the age of 40 has risen for the first time.</li><li>The number of women members has steadily increased since 2004.</li><li>Politics remains dominated by career politicians, agriculturists, and businessmen.</li></ul>India is the world's fastest growing economy. However, there are varied opinions on whether it is a fast evolving society. Some digging into the profile of the recently elected representatives for the Lok Sabha, the lower house of India's Parliament, would suggest that India is moving forward although at a slow pace. The seventeenth Lok Sabha is a lot younger, it has more women but not enough, and it is more educated than any time in the past. Age is not a number 12% of the members are below the age 40 years compared to 8% in the last five years, according to data analysed by research organisation PRS Legislative. This is the first time since independence that the number of Parliamentarians under 40 has increased compared to the year earlier. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 "The proportion of MPs below 40 years of age had steadily declined from 26% in the first Lok Sabha," the PRS note said. While the representation has slightly increased this time, it is nowhere close to reflecting India's demography where 65% of the population is under the age of 35. By 2020, India is poised to become <a href="https://yourstory.com/2019/05/elections-2019-young-india-voters" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">the youngest country in the world</a> with an average age of 29 years. Education matters 394 of the 543 members of Parliament this time have are graduates, that's a good 72%. Nearly 30% either have a post graduate degree or a Ph.D. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 A sliver of hope for women Women continue to under represented in the Lok Sabha. The number of women members has increased from 11.6% in 2014 to 14.6% in 2019. In absolute terms, the number has increased from 63 to 79. But the 85% males continue to dominate India's law making exercise. The silver lining is that the proportion of women lawmakers has consistently increased in the last 15 years, although very slowly, according to data from PRS. 
 
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
 
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 Rwanda (61%), South Africa (43%), UK (32%), USA (24%), and Bangladesh (21%) have more women representing the electorate than India. Professionals in politics In India, politics is not for everyone. The break-up of the professions declared by the elected members shows that nearly 40% of them are dedicated to politics or social service. Over 60% are into either agriculture or business. A measly 13% come from other professions like law, teaching, 0r the arts. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/politics/pm-narendra-modi-second-oath-taking-ceremony-updates/articleshow/69574162.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Narendra Modi and his ministers will take oath at 7 pm-- hogging all the prime time attention</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/politics/pm-narendra-modi-second-oath-taking-ceremony-updates/articleshow/69574162.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&amp;utm_medium=text&amp;utm_campaign=cppst" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Modi's swearing in ceremony is set to be the biggest event ever with 8,000 guests</a>

Age, profile, and professions of India's Parliamentarians tell the story of a slowly evolving nation

<keyword id="19956758" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Finance-Minister" source="keywords">Finance Minister</keyword> <keyword id="19916618" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Nirmala-Sitharaman" source="keywords">Nirmala Sitharaman</keyword> on Tuesday presented the <keyword id="20387181" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Union-Budget-2024-25" source="keywords">Union Budget 2024-25</keyword> after the Cabinet gave its approval. In her intial comments, Sithamraman said India's economic growth will be a shining exception. "We are determined all Indians regardless of religion and age achieve life goals and aspirations," Sitharman said. The Finance Minister presented first Union Budget of the Modi 3.0 government and her seventh consecutive one during the Monsoon Session of Parliament. The Economic Survey 2023-24 was tabled yesterday in the Parliament. Union Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi met in Parliament today to approve the Union Budget ahead of its presentation by the Finance Minister. This would mark Sitharaman's seventh consecutive budget and eclipses the late Moraji Desai's record of six consecutive budgets, which is likely to focus on changes in the income tax structure and improving the ease of doing business in India. Addressing the media, Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary earlier said that the first Union Budget of the third Modi government will be based on his mantra of "Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas". Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said that this budget would accelerate the country's economic growth. "The economic growth that happened under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, this budget and this Budget will further accelerate it. The budget that will be presented today by Nirmala ji will also help our country, which is the fastest-growing economy," Pralhad Joshi said while speaking to the media on the Parliament premises on Tuesday. The budget session of Parliament began on July 22 and, according to schedule, will end on August 12. On Monday, the economic survey presented in Parliament by finance minister Sithraman emphasized the resilience of the Indian economy and its stable post-Covid recovery. The Survey underscored the government's commitment to "Nari Shakti" through various legislative measures and provisions aimed at boosting women's participation in diverse professions. According to the Economic Survey, the budget for women's welfare and empowerment schemes has surged by 218.8 per cent, growing from Rs 97,134 crore (BE) in FY14 to Rs 3.10 lakh crore in FY25. Additionally, the Gender Budget Statement (GBS) has seen a 38.7 per cent increase compared to FY24 BE, with its share in the total Union Budget rising to 6.5 per cent in FY25, the highest since GBS was introduced in FY06. SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/budget/news/union-budget-2024-live-updates-finance-minister-nirmala-sitharaman-key-announcements-23-july/liveblog/111942008.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/budget/news/union-budget-2024-live-updates-finance-minister-nirmala-sitharaman-key-announcements-23-july/liveblog/111942008.cms" target="_blank">Union Budget 2024 Live Updates: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to present her record seventh consecutive Budget today</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/expectations-from-union-budget-2024-25-how-will-this-budget-impact-you/articleshow/111946291.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/expectations-from-union-budget-2024-25-how-will-this-budget-impact-you/articleshow/111946291.cms" target="_blank">Union Budget 2024-25: How will this budget impact you?</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/budget/news/heres-a-quick-overview-of-pm-modi-3-0-governments-first-budget-to-be-presented-by-fm-nirmala-sitharaman-today/articleshow/111944393.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/budget/news/heres-a-quick-overview-of-pm-modi-3-0-governments-first-budget-to-be-presented-by-fm-nirmala-sitharaman-today/articleshow/111944393.cms" target="_blank">Here's a quick overview of PM Modi 3.0 government's first budget, to be presented by FM Nirmala Sitharaman today</a>

"India's economic growth will be shining exception" FM Nirmala Sitharaman presents Union Budget 2024-25

Over the years, a number of <keyword id="3170575" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="female-politicians">female politicians</keyword> have risen to prominence in India - Indira Gandhi, Mayawati, Vasundara Raje, Mamata Banerjee and Sonia Gandhi to name a few. However, India’s political landscape is overwhelmingly dominated by men. Last year, India <a href="http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-at-148th-in-number-of-women-mps/article17471164.ece">placed 148th </a>in a list of countries ranked according to the number of female members of <keyword id="6354721" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="parliament">parliament</keyword>, with only around 12% of seats occupied by <keyword id="624" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Women">women</keyword>. This lack of female participation is a pity, especially at the state level. According to <a href="https://www.wider.unu.edu/sites/default/files/Publications/Working-paper/PDF/wp2018-47.pdf">a working paper </a>published last month by the United Nations University, the UN’s academic and research wing, India’s female politicians bring greater benefits to their constituencies when compared to men. The economic activity of around 4,265 legislative assembly constituencies in India from 1992 to 2012 was assessed for the purposes of the report. Due to a lack of sufficient economic indicators and data at the local level, night-time lighting was used as a proxy measure for economic activity. Additionally, to account for the bias that some constituencies are socially progressive and hence, have greater <keyword id="47276" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Economic-growth">economic growth</keyword>, only those constituencies where women were elected to the state assembly by a small margin were analysed. The report showed that night-time luminosity was 15.25% higher over the average term of state politician in constituencies where woman won by a small margin of votes compared to those where men won by a small margin. This, the researchers inferred, translated into a 1.85% positive difference in GDP growth. <keyword id="46183" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Corruption">Corruption</keyword> vs economic growth Granted, night-time lighting isn’t an obvious indicator of economic growth. But, the report did stress one thing. In most cases, male politicians had criminal records or were more likely to have criminal allegations against them compared to their female counterparts. In a sample of constituencies with close elections, women had a 10% chance of having criminal cases pending against them compared with a 32% likelihood for men. Hence, the likely reason that female politicians drove higher economic growth in their constituencies is because they’re less susceptible to corruption and crime. To drive the point home, the report showcased an inverse correlation between night-time lighting and elected officials with criminal charges. The researchers cited a paper from 2004 that indicated that night-time lighting fell by 22% in constituencies where people with criminal charges were elected. Finally, the paper showed that the net assets of women grew at a lesser rate than men over the course of an electoral term. This finding was included to show that women are less corrupt than men. While the research obviously has limitations, the findings from the paper warrant a long, hard think. There is definitely a case to be made for greater political representation for women, not just for the sake of equality, but also economic growth. A bill to increase the proportion of female MPs and MLAs to 33% of the overall strength of the parliament and state assemblies has been languishing in the Lok Sabha for years. It’s high time it was given a new lease of life.

Female politicians in India bring greater economic benefits to their constituencies than men: Report

<ul><li>The upper house of the Parliament today passed the <keyword id="6358953" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Transgender">Transgender</keyword> Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2019. </li><li>The bill defines trangender as a person whose gender is not the one assigned at the time of birth. </li><li>It seeks a ‘certificate of identity’ that labels their gender as “transgender.” </li><li>The bill was introduced in the lower house of the parliament on July 19 and was passed in August 2019. </li></ul>The upper house of the Parliament today passed the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2019. The bill was tabled in <keyword id="48510" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Rajya-Sabha">Rajya Sabha</keyword> on November 20, after which several members demanded to move the matter to a select parliamentary committee. The bill was introduced in the lower house of the Parliament on July 19 and was passed in August 2019. The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2019, which claims to protect the rights of transgenders and empower them has also been widely opposed by trans community. The LGBTQ community has been opposing the proposed legislation saying that the bill is violating individual rights. The bill defines trangender as a person whose gender is not the one assigned at the time of birth. It seeks a ‘certificate of identity’ that labels their gender as “transgender”. And if someone from the community seeks to change their gender to male of female, the administrative officer will check for the ‘correctness’ of the revised medical certificate. The bill, which includes trans-men and trans-women, persons with intersex variations, gender-queers, and persons with socio-cultural identities is in contrast with the Supreme Court’s judgement that granted protection rights to transgendered people — including self determination of gender and no mandatory medical certificate. Forced labour, any denial from use of public places, physical, sexual or emotional abuse have been listed as an <a href="https://www.prsindia.org/billtrack/transgender-persons-protection-rights-bill-2019">offence under the proposed bil</a>l. If challenged, the penalties include imprisonment of six months to two years, along with fine. The bill says that transgenders should not be discriminated against in terms of employment opportunities. However, it does not include reservations for the community either. India has nearly<a href="https://www.news18.com/news/buzz/mumbai-to-see-first-job-fair-to-hire-queer-and-diverse-employees-will-india-inc-bite-2195265.html"> 5%-10% queer employees</a> in the workforce. Of this, over half of them reported discrimination at work. See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/policy/news/here-is-a-list-of-major-bills-to-be-introduced-in-the-winter-session-of-parliament/articleshow/72110677.cms">Here is a list of major bills to be introduced in the Winter Session of Parliament</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/policy/news/at-the-winter-parliament-session-india-intends-to-ban-commercial-surrogacy/articleshow/72120405.cms">India moves to regulate the thriving business of commercial surrogacy</a>

Transgenders want to identify their own gender but law now says they need a certificate

<ul><li>The North Eastern <keyword id="6360676" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="railways">Railways</keyword> will install <keyword id="138638" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="panic-buttons">panic buttons</keyword> in coaches that will be linked to the guard's compartment.</li><li>The <keyword id="6535962" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="NER">NER</keyword> will also deploy female policemen on night trains. </li><li>The installation of CCTV cameras has also been proposed. </li></ul><keyword id="3658" type="COUNTRY" weightage="20" keywordseo="India">India</keyword> is no stranger to crimes against women. Nearly six years after the brutal Nirbhaya gangrape that shook the nation and made unflattering headlines across the world, Indian women continue to be vulnerable on the streets and on trains. In a report by IndiaSpend in 2017, India recorded a sharp 36 percent spike in crimes against women passengers reported on Indian trains, according to <a href="http://164.100.158.235/question/annex/243/Au1584.docx" target="_blank">data </a>submitted by the railway ministry to the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of Parliament. It seems that the Indian Railways' Northeastern division has decided to counter the rising spate of brutalities and make its trains safer for women by installing panic buttons in coaches. The North Eastern Railways (NER) also plans to deploy women police personnel on suburban trains travelling during the night and to recruit women in the Railway Police Force (RPF), according to Sanjay Yadav, the chief press officer of the NER. The proposed panic buttons will accessible throughout the coach and will be directly connected to the guards' compartment. “These buttons, placed at convenient spots for the easy reach of women travelers above the electric switches, when pressed will denote the coach where there is emergency and the railway staff present in the train will be informed to promptly attend to the emergency,” Yadav said. At present, the only options women have is a stop-chain in coaches or a helpline number, via call or message, when faced with uncomfortable situations during their journey. Yadav also said that some other measures – colour-coding the coaches marked for women, installation of CCTV cameras with live feed to the authorities, and installation of wire mesh on windows – were also proposed and that the work on these proposals is “going on”. The panic button in coaches, however, may become a reality this year itself, Yadav said.

The Indian Railways is going to install panic buttons in trains for women safety

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Sophia Duleep Singh was an Indian princess and activist who campaigned for women's rights.</li><li>Sophia lived in the UK and was arrested multiple times while campaigning, according to BBC News.</li></ul>While many may be familiar with British women's rights activists <a href="https://www.insider.com/important-women-from-history-2017-8#emmeline-pankhurst-13">Emmeline Pankhurst</a> and Millicent Fawcett, one campaigner who remains lesser known is Sophia Duleep Singh — an Indian princess who fought for equality while her family was living exiled in Britain.Sophia was born in London Elveden Hall, a stately home in Suffolk, England, in 1876 to Bamba Müller and Duleep Singh, the last Sikh emperor of the Punjab, whose official title was Maharaja of Punjab, according to <a href="https://www.open.ac.uk/researchprojects/makingbritain/content/duleep-singh" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Open University</a>.Duleep, after whom Sophia was named, was exiled to Britain in 1849 after the Punjab was annexed by the British Empire, as <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-66220501" target="_blank" rel="noopener">BBC News</a> reported.Although her story may not be as well known, the princess, who was Queen Victoria's goddaughter, used her royal status and connections to campaign for women's rights to vote. Sophia's contributions to the <a href="https://www.insider.com/when-women-around-the-world-got-the-right-to-vote-2019-2">suffragette movement</a> were recognized earlier this year by English Heritage, a charity that takes care of hundreds of historic buildings, monuments, and sites in England.On May 26, the organization placed a blue plaque on Faraday House in London's Hampton Court Palace. The home was gifted to Sophia and her sisters by Queen Victoria, according to a <a href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/about-us/search-news/pr-suffragette-princess-commemorated-by-english-heritage/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">press release</a> published on English Heritage's website.Anna Eavis, curatorial director at English Heritage, said in the press release that there has been an increased interest frm the public in Sophia's story in recent years, and hoped the plaque would ensure the princess was "firmly established in the pantheon of great campaigners for women's suffrage."<div type="image" title="princess sophia plaque" height="4903" width="7355" msid="102402799" hostid="261" sizebytes="3291006"></div><h2>Sophia had a difficult childhood</h2>Growing up in Suffolk, Sophia experienced challenges throughout her early years.Her father abandoned his family and relocated to Paris to be with his mistress, Ada Weatherill, in 1886 when Sophia was 10, according to <a href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/blue-plaques/sophia-duleep-singh/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">English Heritage</a>.After Duleep left the family, Sophia's mother "retreated into alcoholism," according to English Heritage, before her death in 1887.Sophia's godmother, Queen Victoria, took responsibility for the child and her sisters, Bamba and Catherine, and formally proclaimed them as princesses in 1896, according to English Heritage.<h2>Later, the royal became active in the suffragette movement</h2>In her 30s, Sophia joined the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU) shortly after meeting one of the society's members, Una Dugdale, in 1908, according to English Heritage.The royal used her platform to drive traction to the cause and was often seen selling copies of "The Suffragette" newspaper outside her home in Hampton Court, according to the historical palace's <a href="https://www.hrp.org.uk/hampton-court-palace/history-and-stories/sophia-duleep-singh/#gs.3p47n3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">official website</a>.Sophia attended protests with the group and was arrested a number of times, according to BBC News, which reported that the charges against her were dropped each time, though this wasn't the case for many other suffragettes. On one occasion, BBC News reported, the princess was arrested after her involvement in the "Black Friday" demonstration in London. On the historic day — November 18, 1910 — Sophia was one of more than 300 suffragettes who protested the British parliament after it failed to give more time to the Conciliation Bill. If passed, the bill would have allowed approximately one million women who owned property to vote, according to the UK's <a href="https://blog.nationalarchives.gov.uk/suffragettes-and-the-black-friday-protests-18-november-1910/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Archives</a>.<div type="image" title="black friday" height="3689" width="5100" msid="102402801" hostid="261" sizebytes="1507774"></div>The police responded to the protest with violence and around 200 women said they were physically and sexually assaulted, according to The National Archives. Sophia was one of 119 women arrested that day, with her charges later dropped, BBC News reported.The next year, in 1911, Sophia joined the <a href="https://archiveshub.jisc.ac.uk/search/archives/511c0eb1-8182-306a-9f03-dbb7459ffc7e" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Women's Tax Resistance League</a>, an organization in which members abstained from paying taxes as a means of protesting women's lack of voting rights.Shortly after joining the group, one of Sophia's diamond rings was impounded and was later bought at auction by a fellow member of the organization, who returned it to the princess, according to English Heritage.Then, when campaigning temporarily ceased during the First World War, Sophia became a Red Cross nurse and took care of British-Indian soldiers, according to English Heritage.Later, after the war ended, she returned to campaigning.<h2>Sophia saw key victories for women's rights during her lifetime</h2>In 1918, women over the age of 30 who owned land were given the right to vote for the first time after the British Parliament passed the Representation of the People Act, according to <a href="https://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/offices/commons/media-relations-group/news/on-this-day-on-30-may-1929-women-vote-on-same-terms-as-men-for-first-time-in-general-election/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the legislative body's official website</a>. However, women's right to vote was not equal to men's at this time, as the same act gave men over the age of 21 the power to vote.It wasn't until the Representation of the People (Equal Franchise) Act of 1928 that all women over the age of 21 were given the right to vote, according to the UK Parliament's website. And according to the same source, May 30, 1929, marked the first time women voted on the same terms as men in a UK general election.<div type="image" title="A black-and-white image of Sophia Duleep Singh talking to sister suffragettes at London's Bow Street." height="852" width="1136" msid="102402802" hostid="261" sizebytes="55994"></div>Decades later, in 2023, English Heritage erected the blue plaque on Sophia's former home just four days before the 94th anniversary of the law.Sophia continued to campaign for women's rights long after the right to vote was passed, along with several other Indian women's rights activists in the UK, including Lolita Roy — a prominent activist who moved from India to England in 1900, according to the <a href="https://bristol.ac.uk/research/impact/stories/indian-suffragettes/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">University of Bristol</a>. Roy would later use her platform to raise money for scholarships for women and petition the British government to give women in India the right to vote, according to the university's website.Years later, in the 1934 edition of "The Women's Who's Who" — an annual record of the careers and activities of the leading women of the day, published in the UK — Sophia cited "Advancement of Women" as her only interest, according to Historical Royal Palaces.Following Sophia's death at the age of 71 on August 22, 1948, according to English Heritage, her sister Bamba took her ashes to India.

The incredible life story of Sophia Duleep Singh, the Indian princess who fought for women's right to vote while exiled in the UK

Dates for India’s 17th Lok Sabha elections were announced on March 10. The Lok Sabha elections will be held in seven phases starting, April 11, according to the Election Commission of India. The votes will be counted on May 23 and will decide the fate of major political parties in India. Chandigarh sends one member of parliament to the Lok Sabha. Presently, BJP’s Kirron Kher is the sitting MP. She defeated Congress’ Pawan Kumar Bansal by almost 70,000 votes in the last Lok Sabha elections in 2014. He served as the Minister of Railways from 28 October 2012 to 10 May 2013. In 2014, almost 281, 593 women voted. The total number of voters stood at 453,455. Chandigarh Lok Sabha Election Schedule (Phase 1) Date of polling: May 19 Results of the Lok Sabha Election will be announced on 23 May.

Lok Sabha Election 2019: Polling dates for Chandigarh

In a significant victory, India got elected as Member of the <keyword id="233455" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="UN-Commission">UN Commission</keyword> on the Status of Women, the principal global body focussed on gender equality and women empowerment, beating China in a hotly-contested election. The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is a functional commission of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). The 54-member ECOSOC, holding the first plenary meeting of its 2021 session in the General Assembly Hall on Monday, held elections for two seats in the Asia-Pacific States category with Afghanistan, India and China in the fray. Afghanistan, which is led by Ambassador Adela Raz at the UN, garnered 39 votes and India got 38 votes of the 54 ballots cast. China, a permanent member of the UN Security Council, got only 27 votes and could not even cross the half-way mark and also failed to get the required majority of 28 votes. "India wins seat in prestigious #ECOSOC body! India elected Member of Commission on Status of Women #CSW. It's a ringing endorsement of our commitment to promote gender equality and women's empowerment in all our endeavours. We thank member states for their support," India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador T S Tirumurti tweeted. India beat China in the hotly-contested election to the prestigious UN body in the year when the 25th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women, that was held in Beijing in 1995, is being commemorated around the world. It is highly notable and telling that China lost the election to the UN's principal global intergovernmental body exclusively dedicated to the promotion of gender equality and women empowerment when the silver jubilee anniversary of the landmark Beijing conference on women is being commemorated and of which China takes a lot of ownership on. The election result is being seen as sending a strong signal about China's own record of women's equality and empowerment. India's Permanent Mission to the UN worked tirelessly for the hard-fought election, reaching out and sensitising all Member States, sources said. India and Afghanistan will join Argentina, Austria, Dominican Republic, Israel, Latvia, Nigeria, Turkey and Zambia, which were elected by acclamation, to the Commission on the Status of Women for a four-year term beginning from 2021-2025. India's election win at the CSW is highly significant as it comes on the eve of India gearing up to sit at the UN Security Council high table as non-permanent member for a two-year term beginning January 1, 2021. Former UN Assistant Secretary-General and Deputy Executive Director of UN Women Lakshmi Puri congratulated the Indian Mission and Ambassador Tirumurti on the election win. "Victory Earned! #CSW is an important normsetting organ for #Gender #Equality &amp; #WomenEmpowerment &amp; #India has made a significant contribution to evolving global women's human rights standards in UN including #SDG5 in Agenda 2030!," she tweeted, referring to the Sustainable Development Goal of achieving gender equality and empower all women and girls. The Commission on the Status of Women is instrumental in promoting women's rights, documenting the reality of women's lives throughout the world, and shaping global standards on gender equality and the empowerment of women. In 1996, ECOSOC expanded the Commission's mandate and decided that it should take a leading role in monitoring and reviewing progress and problems in the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, and in mainstreaming a gender perspective in UN activities. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/defense/news/rajnath-singh-to-address-parliament-on-india-china-border-row-as-tensions-continue-to-simmer-in-ladakh/articleshow/78118498.cms">Rajnath Singh to address Parliament on India-China border row as tensions continue to simmer in Ladakh</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/sachin-tendulkar-is-now-paytm-first-games-brand-ambassador-app-aims-to-garner-100-million-users-during-ipl/articleshow/78118256.cms">Sachin Tendulkar is now Paytm First Games’ brand ambassador – with a ₹300 crore marketing spend, the app aims to garner 100 million users during IPL</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/top-stocks-to-watch-future-retail-pvr-central-bank-icici-bank-spicejet-indiabulls-housing-finance-and-more/articleshow/78117441.cms">Top stocks to watch— Future Retail, PVR, Central Bank, ICICI Bank, SpiceJet, Indiabulls Housing Finance and more</a>

India beats China to win crucial election to UN commission on women

<ul><li>India's Narendra Modi government has made a historic move to annul Constitutional provisions that confer Jammu and Kashmir a 'special' status that allows it to make its own laws and ward off 'outsiders.</li><li>India's Home Minister Amit Shah declared in the Parliament today that Article 370 and Article 35A of the Constitution will be abrogated.</li><li>The government also informed the Parliament that Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh will be split into two Union Territories, which will be the entire region directly under the Centre's rule.</li><li>Ahead of this announcement, Section 144 was imposed in Kashmir valley-- internet services have been suspended, political leaders like Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti have been placed under house arrest-- to prevent any backlash.</li></ul> The Narendra Modi government is keen to create history by putting an end to provisions in the Indian Constitution that confer a special status to state of Jammu and Kashmir, which has been the centre of a conflict with Pakistan as well as a hotbed for separatists in the region. The government's overpowering majority in the Indian Parliament as well as the fact that the state is under President's rule for now, help Modi get his way. India's Home Minister Amit Shah declared in Parliament that Article 35A and Article 370 of the Indian Constitution that give special status given to Kashmir -- and rights to make its own laws-- will be abrogated. "The entire constitution will be applicable to Jammu and Kashmir state,” Shah said. In a subsequent order, India’s president approved the government’s changes. He also proposed splitting the state into two Union Territories -- Jammu and Kashmir being one and Ladakh being the other-- bringing the entire region under New Delhi's direct rule and administration. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 Shah's declaration was faced with an uproar from the opposition leaders in the Rajya Sabha. Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad argued that Article 370 has been a crucial factor in keeping Jammu and Kashmir united with India since its independence in 1947. Shah responded saying that Azad's argument was a lie perpetuated by the Congress for decades and Article 370 only managed to isolate Kashmiris from the rest of India. What it means India's first Prime Minsiter Jawaharlal Nehru and Kashmiri icon Sheikh Abdullah agreed to a 'special' status for the state of Jammu and Kashmir to protect the land rights of the 'permanent citizens'. Article 35A prohibits 'outsiders' from owning property, getting government jobs and scholarship, and from settling in the state. The Article, also called the Permanent Residents Law, also prohibits women from inheriting property if they marry someone from outside the state. Apart from the autonomy, Article 370 -- which makes Artice 35A possible-- allows the state to make its own law and also makes it compulsory for the state assembly to agree to any move proposed by the central government in New Delhi. However, as of now, the state is under President's rule and there is no need for consent from the state assembly. Those against the 'special' status given to Jammu and Kashmir argue that Article 370 was a 'temporary' provision but the courts, including the Supreme Court, have held that it is a permanent part of the Constitution, in a judgement as recent as 2018. However, Parliamentarians from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) argued in the Parliament the it is indeed a temporary provision, which must be abolished now. So this move by the Narendra Modi government is expected to land in litigation as well draw some international attention. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 It is also claimed by many experts that Article 35A stems from the powers conferred upon the President under Article 370 of the Constitution, and therefore one cannot be annulled without the other. The deletion of Article 370 will automatically render Article 35A null and void. Two Parliamentarians tore up copies of the Constitution in protest of the move to abrogate Article 370 and 35A. Both of them were forced out of the house by the Speaker of Rajya Sabha, Venkaiah Naidu, the country's Vice President. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/section-144-in-kashmir-latest-news-developments/articleshow/70529285.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">All that's happened in Kashmir over the last 72 hours – from movement of troops to suspension of internet to political leaders under house arrest</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/politics/jammu-and-kashmir-and-ladakh-will-now-be-two-separate-union-territories/articleshow/70531866.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh will now be two separate Union Territories</a>

You Searched For "women in india s parliament" and got 12 results

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