The 2024 Lok Sabha elections have brought to the fore significant developments in the representation of women in Indian politics. While the total number of women elected to the Lower House dipped slightly from 78 in 2019 to 74, this still represents a robust presence compared to historical data.

Notably, this election is the first since the passage of the women’s reservation bill, aimed at reserving one-third of seats in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies for women, though the law has yet to come into effect. India’s journey towards enhancing women’s representation in the Lok Sabha has been gradual yet promising.

The 18th Lok Sabha will have 13.62 percent female MPs. This represents a notable increase from the 16th Lok Sabha, which had 64 women members, and the 15th, with 52. A historical perspective shows that women’s political participation has always been an area of concern. For instance, the first and second Lok Sabhas had only 24 women MPs each.

While there has been a slow but steady increase over the years, India still lags behind several countries. According to an analysis by the think-tank PRS, 46 percent of MPs in South Africa, 35 percent in the UK, and 29 percent in the US are women. This comparative analysis underscores the need for more robust mechanisms to promote women’s representation in India.

In the 2024 elections, the BJP fielded the maximum number of women candidates at 69, followed by the Congress at 41. The BJP saw 30 of its women candidates win, while Congress had 14 successful female candidates. Regional parties also made significant strides, with TMC fielding 11 women MPs, the Samajwadi Party 4, DMK 3, and JDU and LJP(R) 2 each.

The success of high-profile candidates like the BJP’s Hema Malini, the TMC’s Mahua Moitra, and the NCP’s Supriya Sule highlights the impact of women in politics. Representations are not symbolic, as speeches by women MPs are as fiery as those of their male counterparts.

Furthermore, the victories of young candidates such as Priya Saroj and Iqra Choudhary signify a shift towards younger female representation, with 16 percent of women MPs being below the age of 40. This infusion of youth is vital for injecting fresh perspectives into legislative processes.

An encouraging trend in the 2024 elections was the higher turnout of women voters compared to men in several phases. Practically, in the seventh phase, women’s voter turnout was 64.72 percent compared to men’s 63.11 percent. Similar trends were observed in the fifth and sixth phases.

States like HP, Jharkhand, Odisha, and UP recorded higher women voter turnouts, indicating an increasing political engagement among women. This engagement is crucial for ensuring that women’s issues are represented and addressed adequately in policymaking.

The passage of the women’s reservation bill marks a watershed moment in Indian politics. Reserving one-third of seats for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies can significantly alter the political landscape in the future.

It promises to address the structural barriers that have historically hindered women’s political participation. The bill’s implementation could also inspire more women to participate actively in politics, fostering a more inclusive and representative democratic process.

Despite these advancements, several challenges persist. The political arena remains predominantly male-dominated, and women often face significant barriers, including societal attitudes, a lack of financial resources, and inadequate support from political parties.

The mere presence of women in Parliament does not automatically translate into gender-sensitive policies. There needs to be a concerted effort to ensure that women’s voices are heard and their contributions valued in legislative processes. To address these challenges, political parties must go beyond tokenism and actively promote women within their ranks.

This includes providing resources, mentorship, and guidance to women candidates. Achieving true gender parity requires sustained efforts from all stakeholders, including political parties, civil society, and the electorate. By fostering an environment, India can move closer to realising its democratic ideals.