With 14.5 lakh women representatives in Panchayati Raj Institutions, women accounts for 46% of elected representatives says Union MoS for Women & Child Development  

21 States have provision for 50 Percent reservation for Women in Panchayati Raj Institutions: Informs Union MoS Women & Child Development Savitri Thakur 

MP Satnam Singh Sandhu says PM Modi took the bold decision pass the landmark Women Reservation Bill after Prolonged Wait of 3 Decades

MP Satnam Sandhu raises the Issue of Representation of Women in India’s Political Leadership in Parliament

Union Government has empowered women leaders of Rural Local Bodies through Sashakt Panchayat-Netri Abhiyan: Informs MOS Women & Child Development Savitri Thakur

Chandigarh, 07 August 2025- India has more than 14.5 lakh Elected Women Representatives (EWRs) in Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) which is about 46 percent of the total elected representatives, which is highest in the world. There are 21 states in the country that have made provision for 50 percent reservation for women in PRIs as against constitutional mandate of minimum 33 percent reservation for women. Marking a historic milestone to foster equitable representation of women in political leadership, the Parliament of India passed the Constitution (One Hundred and Sixth Amendment) Act, 2023, Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam (Women Reservation Bill). This landmark legislation will ensure 33 percent reservation of seats Lok Sabha, all State Legislative Assemblies, including Legislative Assembly of National Capital Territory of Delhi, thus institutionalizing representation of women in politics at the highest levels of public decision-making. This information was shared by the Union Minister of State for Women and Child Development, Savitri Thakur in response to a question asked by Rajya Sabha MP Satnam Singh Sandhu during the ongoing Monsoon session of Parliament.

Raising the matter of women’s representation in India’s political leadership in the parliament, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) Satnam Sandhu in his question asked from the Ministry of Women & Child Development sought details regarding the initiatives launched by the Ministry to enhance the leadership skills of Elected Women Representatives (EWRs) in Panchayats, steps taken for collaborating with state governments to ensure the effective implementation of leadership training programs for EWRs and impact of these initiatives on governance in rural areas.

In a written reply, MOS Women and Child Development, Savitri Thakur said, “The Union Government has launched the Sashakt Panchayat-Netri Abhiyan which is a comprehensive and targeted capacity-building initiative aimed at strengthening Women Elected Representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions across the nation. It focuses on sharpening their leadership acumen, enhancing their decision-making capabilities and reinforcing their role in grassroot governance.”

The Minister added, “The government has prepared specialized training modules designed specifically for capacity building of Women Elected Representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions. Recognizing the on-ground challenges faced by women duty bearers and women leaders contesting elections, a comprehensive Primer on Law Addressing Gender Based Violence and Harmful Practices for Panchayat Elected Representatives has also been prepared. Recently, the Government has launched Model Women-Friendly Gram Panchayats Initiative with an aim to establish at least one Model Gram Panchayat in each District in the country that is both women and girl friendly, reinforcing the commitment to gender equality and sustainable rural development.”

Sharing details regarding the progression in the representation of women in India’s political leadership in the last seven decade, MOS Women and Child Development Savitri Thakur said, “The total number of women contesting general elections in the country has increased from 3 percent in 1957 to 10 percent in 2024. The total number of elected women members, which was 22 in the first Lok Sabha and 27 in the second Lok Sabha has increased to 78 in the 17th Lok Sabha and to 75 in the 18th Lok Sabha respectively which is approximately 14 percent of the total members. In the Rajya Sabha also, the total number of women members in 1952 was 15, which is 42 at present which accounts for approximately 17 percent of the total members.”

The MOS further said, “In 2023, the Parliament of India passed the Constitution (One Hundred and Sixth Amendment) Act, 2023, “Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam”, marking a historic milestone in its national journey to foster equitable representation of women in public life at all levels of the federal structure. This landmark legislation rotationally reserves one-third of all seats for women in the Lower House of Parliament, Lok Sabha, and in all State Legislative Assemblies, including Legislative Assembly of National Capital Territory of Delhi, thus institutionalizing representation of women in politics at the highest levels of public decision-making.”

“The Union Government has adopted a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to address issues on a life-cycle continuum basis for the holistic empowerment of women from all sections of the society and this includes political empowerment of women. Through various policies, the Union Government is promoting greater participation of women in local governance and political leadership roles. Envisioning Self Help Groups (SHG) as vehicles of change, today 10 crore women linked with over 90 lakh SHGs, with support from the Union Government are transforming the rural landscape economically and taking greater leadership roles at grassroots level,” added the Minister.

Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha), Satnam Singh Sandhu said, “The Union Government under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has fulfilled a long-standing demand of the nation by passing the historic Women’s Reservation Bill after a prolonged wait of over three decades. This landmark legislation marks a transformative step toward ensuring gender equality in India’s political landscape. By ensuring 33 percent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies, this landmark initiative will go a long way in empowering women through active participation and leadership in policy-making and governance. India is steadily moving towards becoming the 3rd largest economy in the world sooner than later but the goal of a Viksit Bharat by 2047 can’t be achieved without equal participation of women in politics.”