Rekha Gupta flags low representation of women in assemblies, calls for political reform

Rekha Gupta raised concerns over the limited representation of women in higher levels of India’s political system, despite their significant presence in grassroots governance.

Speaking on the issue, she pointed out that while a large number of women are elected at the panchayat and municipal levels, their numbers decline sharply as they move toward state and national legislatures. According to Gupta, nearly 1.5 million women across the country serve as elected representatives at the local level. However, this participation does not proportionately translate into higher offices. She noted that out of approximately 4,600 members in state legislative assemblies, only about 10 percent are women.

The trend continues at the national level. Gupta highlighted that women’s representation in the Lok Sabha stands at around 13 to 14 percent, with similar figures in the Rajya Sabha. These numbers indicate a persistent gap between grassroots participation and leadership roles in mainstream politics. Referring to India’s constitutional history, she noted that women were part of the Constituent Assembly of India, with around 15 female members contributing to the drafting process. She acknowledged that the Constitution granted equal rights, including voting and contesting elections, but argued that these provisions alone have not ensured equal political opportunities in practice.

Gupta attributed the disparity partly to structural challenges within political parties, suggesting that women often face barriers in securing tickets and advancing to higher positions. She stated that while legal equality exists, the reality of political participation still presents limitations for women. Her remarks come amid ongoing discussions on gender representation in India’s political system and debates over measures aimed at improving women’s participation at legislative levels.