Approach:

Introduction: Mention status of women(politically) and distinct feature of the Bill.

Body: Discuss various dimensions related to the significance and challenges associated with the Women Reservation Bill in India 

Conclusion: Mention way ahead/measures.

Answer:

Despite being one of the largest and most resilient parliamentary democracies globally, women's representation in both the Parliament and State Legislatures remains below 15 percent. In this regard, 128th Constitutional Amendment Bill, 2023 was introduced in Lok Sabha. This Bill seeks to implement a 33% reservation for women in both the Lok Sabha and all the State Legislative Assemblies, including seats designated for SC/STs.

Significance of Bill:

•     Increases Political Participation: Promotes active participation of women in decision-making and fosters their leadership roles in politics.

○      For ex: Once the bill is ratified, the representation of women MPs in the Lok Sabha will increase from the current 82 to 181.

•     Promotes Inclusive Governance: It ensures a government that better represents the diversity of the population which will incorporate diverse perspectives.

○      For ex: More holistic discussion on  gender-based violence prevention, reproductive rights, childcare, and family policies.

•     Promotes gender equality: Challenging and dismantling stereotypes, it showcases women excelling in traditionally male-dominated domains.
•     Boost International Image: Boosts India's global standing by aligning with international norms for advancing gender equality and women's political involvement.

○  For ex: With the passage of this bill, India will exceed the global average for female representation in national parliaments, which stands at approximately 26 percent

Challenges involved

•     Tokenism: Women may be perceived as symbolic figures rather than competent leaders, potentially eroding their influence and credibility.

○      For ex: Following the introduction of women's reservations in Panchayati Raj Institutions, a trend has emerged where sarpanch patis have assumed decision-making roles on behalf of their wives

•     Reservation Rotation: Rotating reserved constituencies can disrupt the continuity of development work and hinder the overall effectiveness of elected representatives.

○      Venkatachaliah Commission Report (2002)  pointed out that frequent rotations hamper decision-making and governance at the local level.

•     Social Disharmony: Reservations might be perceived by the public as discriminatory against men, possibly sparking resistance and social tensions. Further, it could disturb the current reservations for marginalized communities which were introduced to redress historical social and economic inequalities.
•     Lack of Political Consensus: Fostering agreement among political parties and stakeholders can pose a substantial hurdle in realizing the potential of the Bill.

○      For ex: Few political parties are opposing the bill as it lacks provision for a sub-quota for Other Backward Classes (OBC) and Muslim women.

Overall, to facilitate the passage of a bill promoting increased female political representation, consensus-building among political parties is crucial. Awareness campaigns are necessary to garner public support, emphasizing the benefits of gender diversity in government. Thus, this bill will go a long way in realizing the vision of social justice as envisaged in the Preamble of the Indian Constitution.