Every Women’s Day, March 8, the conversation rightly revolves around equality and equity — or the lack of it. This year was no different. While our Constitution, with its emphasis on equality, prohibition of discriminatory practices, and mandate for pro-active measures to empower vulnerable sections, especially women, has undeniably fuelled progress, the pace of change remains agonisingly slow.

India now has over 1.4 million women elected at the grassroots. Thanks to the 73rd Amendment, at least a third of the roughly 250,000 gram panchayat leader positions are reserved for women, meaning there are at least 83,000 and more women sarpanches. The common idea prevails that their menfolk are the real decision-makers, not them. Even if we concede this silly speculation and only a small percentage are truly effective leaders, that number would still be enough to fill all our legislative assemblies and both houses of Parliament with competent legislators many times over.

And yet, we have only around 14% women in Parliament. This, despite women comprising over 48% of the electorate and a remarkable 66% of all voters in last year’s national elections. The fact that women constituted less than 10% of candidates fielded speaks volumes about their status within the parties. The enactment of the 2023 law providing for 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and assemblies promises radical reform, but the caveat that it will only become operational after the next census and delimitation of constituencies casts a long shadow of uncertainty over its implementation.........

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