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This review aims to explore the barriers women face in Indian electoral politics while highlighting emerging breakthroughs.

June 8, 2026Open Access

Barriers and Breakthroughs for Women in Indian Electoral Politics

Key Points

This review aims to explore the barriers women face in Indian electoral politics while highlighting emerging breakthroughs.
Literature review on historical and contemporary aspects of women's political participation.
Analysis of empirical data on voter turnout and female leadership in state assemblies.
Comparative tables illustrating disparities in women's representation across elections and states.
Increased voter turnout among women and a rise in female leaders in state assemblies suggest gradual progress.
Constitutional amendments, like the 73rd and 74th, have improved local governance representation.
Disparities in women's representation persist across different elections and states, emphasizing the need for further action.

Abstract

This review article examines the persistent barriers and emerging breakthroughs for women in Indian electoral politics, drawing on historical, social, economic, and institutional perspectives. Despite constitutional guarantees of equality, women have historically been underrepresented in legislative bodies, facing multifaceted obstacles including patriarchal norms, economic disparities, and party gatekeeping. The article traces the evolution from pre-independence feminist movements to contemporary reforms like the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments, which mandated reservations in local governance, and the stalled Women's Reservation Bill. A detailed literature review and analysis of empirical data highlight incremental progress, such as increased voter turnout among women and the rise of female leaders in state assemblies. Comparative tables illustrate disparities across elections, states, and policy impacts. Ultimately, the article argues for holistic strategies to dismantle structural inequalities and foster genuine gender parity in India's democracy.

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