Women’s Voices are Heard, Progress for Democracy?

By Eleanor Albert

Democracy is not easy – and quite frankly, it is increasingly difficult in India, the world’s second most populous nation with approximately 1.17 billion people. In spite of rising tensions, both politically and socially, the upper house of India’s Parliament succeeded in passing a bill that will reserve one-third of the seats in national and state legislatures for women, and therefore amending the Indian Constitution.

Such a vote is symbolic of the emergence of women in decision and policy-making positions of power – a liberation of sorts to improve the lives of women. Nevertheless, India has recently had two accomplished female political leaders. Former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi sought modernization for India and through military support helped establish Bangladesh. Despite her contributions, she was unable to suppress political upheaval and was assassinated in 1984. Her son, Rajiv, succeeded her but he too was assassinated in 1991. Sonia Gandhi, Rajiv’s window and Indira Gandhi’s daughter-in-law, entered Indian politics in 1998 as the leader of Indian National Congress Party. As of the May 2009 elections, the Indian National Congress Party holds 205 seats, nearly holding and outright majority.

The proposed amendment to the Constitution would provide women with the opportunity to play a larger role in Indian politics, as well as all aspects of society. But one cannot be overly optimistic. India faces social challenges that reach beyond gender inequalities, i.e. caste, religion, ethnicity. While Hinduism is practiced by 80% of the population, Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, and Sikhism are also significant in India. In addition to the diversity of religion, Indian is home to numerous ethnic groups (the six main groups are Negrito, Proto - Australoids or Austrics, Mongoloids, Mediterranean or Dravidian, Western Brachycephals, and Nordic Aryans).

In addition to the tensions between religious and ethnic groups, corruption is a destructive element in India’s democracy.

“Critics of the amendment say that it will only worsen what is already a big problem — powerful men substituting their daughters, wives and sisters as proxies in political office."

For now, there are no clear answers to rectifying the many issues plaguing Indian democracy, but giving women the ability to hold a substantial number of seats in legislatures is a phenomenal gesture in the right direction.