Just 8% Of Women Candidates In First 2 Phases Of Lok Sabha Polls

In the first two phases of the Lok Sabha polls, women constituted only eight per cent of the total 1,618 candidates, with political activists saying that it reflects a deeper issue of gender bias and that the talk of empowering them rings hollow.

There were 135 women candidates in the first phase of the Lok Sabha polls, while there were 100 women candidates in the second phase, bringing the combined total for the first two phases to 235 women candidates.

In phase 1, of the 135 women candidates, Tamil Nadu had the highest share at 76, but they account for just 8 per cent of the candidates in the state, while Kerala has the maximum women candidates at 24 in phase 2.

If we take it party-wise, the Congress has fielded 44 women till now while the BJP has fielded 69 women in the first two phases till now.

This gender imbalance, which is significant in itself, has sparked criticism from activists and political analysts, who ask why parties are waiting for the Women’s Reservation Bill to be implemented instead of issuing tickets to women proactively.

Political parties should take concrete steps to promote women’s candidacy, said Dr Sushila Ramaswamy, Associate Professor at the Jesus and Mary College of Delhi University. She said, “Political parties should have been more proactive and fielded more women candidates,” citing the effectiveness of seat reservations for women within party structures, as seen in the Britain’s Labour Party.

Dr. Iftekhar Ahmad Ansari, associate professor at the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), said that with women constituting nearly half of India’s electorate, their under representation in the candidate pool raises broader questions about the barriers hindering women’s full participation in the political sphere.

He stressed the importance of structural reforms to ensure equal opportunities for women in politics, beyond the symbolic gestures and promises and highlighted the critical role of party leadership in promoting gender diversity. He emphasised, “Political parties must prioritise gender inclusion in candidate selection and provide adequate support to women aspirants.”

Farhat Jahan, a retired faculty member at the Abdullah Women’s College at the AMU said the issue of women’s political representation extends beyond numerical quotas to encompass systemic changes in party dynamics and electoral processes, while emphasising the need for gender-sensitive policies that address challenges faced by women in politics.

She added, “The upcoming phases of the elections present an opportunity for political parties to demonstrate their commitment to gender equality through concrete actions. Initiatives such as mentorship programs, capacity-building workshops, and awareness campaigns can empower women to actively participate in the electoral process and pursue leadership roles.”

Prof. Mohd Aftab Alam from the AMU political science department pointed out the challenges women often face in forming independent political opinions amidst societal influences. Highlighting broader issues of token representation, he remarked, “Even the ones elected are often relegated to symbolic roles.”

The only party which, as a policy, gives 33 per cent ticket to female candidates, is the BJD. Meera Parida, who is the state vice-president of the Biju Mahila Dal of the BJD, praised her party’s initiative of reserving 33 per cent seats for women and stressed the need for substantive action in women’s empowerment.

Advocating for comprehensive reforms, she emphasised, “Reserving seats alone is not enough. We need a cultural shift where women are seen as leaders and decision-makers.”

Meanwhile, both major parties — the Congress and the BJP — have listed women-centric initiatives in their manifestoes.

The Congress has pledged legislative reforms for women’s empowerment, including the immediate enactment of the Women’s Reservation Bill.

The BJP’s manifesto promises to implement the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam to honour and empower women, integrate women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) into the service sector to enhance their economic participation and expand health services.

However, these commitments have still not translated into substantial numbers of women contesting elections.

Outlining ambitious targets for women’s representation in leadership roles, Alka Lamba, chief of the Congress Women’s Wing, highlighted the party’s commitment to gender equality across sectors. “The Congress has extended political, economic, and social rights to women,” Lamba affirmed.

As the Lok Sabha elections keep progressing, the spotlight is on political parties to address these concerns and demonstrate tangible commitments towards fostering women’s representation and participation in governance.

Aftab said the upcoming poll phases will be closely monitored to assess whether there is a meaningful shift towards greater gender inclusivity in the political landscape, especially after the hype over passage of the Women’s Reservation Bill.

Dr Ramaswamy noted, “While parties are vocal about empowering women, the lack of women candidates reflects a deeper issue of gender bias within political systems.”