Women’s Role in Elections: Underrepresentation and Influence

Local Observations Reflect National Trends in Women’s Political Engagement

In Indian neighborhoods, contrasting discussions reveal much about gender dynamics in politics. While men frequently engage in conversations about political developments and party criticisms, women’s discussions often revolve around domestic and spiritual topics.

Think of two scenes you see in your neighbourhood.

First the men gathered around a colony and shop. You are passing by and what do you overhear?

The most common topic is the current political scenario.

They are sharing views, in appraisals of a party or a leader or condemning for the poor development of the locality and the nation as a whole.

Then you pass by some women from the neighboring households. What do they talk about? One would be holding a flower gathering stick.

The topics of women can encompass several topics from beauty cream to clothes. God and devotion being the often discussed thing.

The national elections are in full swing. Our parliament has 33% women representation law. Actually, how many Indian women are interested in politics?

Other than women who are in active politics. They are a handful of the fairer gender who are well acquainted with the political scenario of the country and also the world.

The condition in reality is another. Women do not even know whom to vote for. The men of the family guide the women to vote. Their influence is the primary factor which angles the women vote percentage from any constituency.

Usually women take the least interest in what’s going around the world. Various topics but not administration is one of the commonly discussed things.

From nameable and unnameable places and the simple middle-class family women what steps can be taken? All I know, there is the first day of everything. However humble.

In India the women population account for 48.41% of the total population.

Why is this the case? There are invisible mappings of the men and women world. To maintain balance this is a necessity.

Both men and women are interdependent on each other to run a family and in a wider perspective the world smoothly.

Now with the times changing, women have taken the steps beyond threshold. And men have come forward to take more share in household responsibilities. Still, a mentality that thrives on politics is a men-thing. Politicians also take advantage of this opportunity.

The LPG cylinder price slashes and free bus rides on woman’s day are not what can guarantee a better future for the entire women fraternity.

If we look at the voting percentage data we can clearly get the picture of how women’s vote percentage is not commendable. Usually women avoid going out to the polling booths. And if they do, how do they decide which candidate they will cast their votes for. It is driven by influence factors.

To have a better representation of women issues the women need to be conscious about those they are sending through their right to vote power, to the assembly.

It is not being in active politics but about using their intellect for the rationing of who is more fitting and shall put forward not only their requirements but also everyone for the collective growth of the general public.