The Women’s Reservation Bill in India is a proposed piece of legislation that aims to reserve a certain percentage of seats in the Indian Parliament, known as the Lok Sabha, and state legislative assemblies specifically for women. The central aim of this bill is to address the stark underrepresentation of women in Indian politics and provide them with greater opportunities to participate in the decision-making processes of the country.
Women Reservation Bill: What is it?
As per the provisions of the 108th Women Reservation Bill of 2008 within the Indian Constitution, it is mandated that women should be allocated one-third (33%) of the seats in both state legislative assemblies and the Parliament. Within this 33% quota, the law also recommends a sub-quota for Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and Anglo-Indians. Furthermore, the option of rotating the allocation of reserved seats is available for several state or union territory constituencies. Importantly, in accordance with the approved law, the seats reserved for women will be phased out after a period of 15 years from the commencement date of the amendment act.
Highlights of the Bill
- The Constitution (One Hundred and Eighth Amendment) Bill, 2008 aims to set aside one-third of all seats for women in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies.
- The authority responsible for allocating these reserved seats will be determined by Parliament.
- Within the reserved seats for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, one-third will be reserved for women from these groups in both the Lok Sabha and legislative assemblies.
- Seats reserved for women may be assigned to different constituencies on a rotating basis within the state or union territory.
- The provision for reserving seats for women will be in effect for 15 years from the start of this Amendment Act, after which it will no longer apply.
Key Issues and Analysis of the Women’s Reservation Bill
The reservation policy in India has sparked a debate with varying perspectives. Here are the key arguments from both proponents and opponents:
Proponents’ View:
- Supporters argue that affirmative action through reservation is essential to empower women. Research on recent panchayat elections suggests that reservation policies have indeed empowered women and ensured more equitable allocation of resources.
Opponents’ View:
- Opponents contend that reservation might prolong women’s inequality as they are not competing solely on merit. They argue that such policies divert attention from other critical electoral reforms, such as addressing the criminalization of politics and promoting inner-party democracy.
- Some critics point out that reserving Parliament seats limits voter choice to women candidates. Consequently, some analysts propose alternative solutions like political party reservations or the introduction of dual-member seats.
- The practice of rotating reserved seats in every election is seen by some as potentially diminishing an Member of Parliament’s (MP) motivation to work for their constituency, as they may not be re-elected.
- It’s worth noting that after amendments were made to the Constitution to enable quotas for Other Backward Classes (OBCs), the 1996 Women’s Reservation Bill report recommended reservations for OBC women as well. Additionally, there were suggestions for reservations in the Rajya Sabha and Legislative Councils. However, the final Bill does not include these recommendations.
FAQs
1. What is the Women’s Reservation Bill in India?
The Women’s Reservation Bill is a proposed legislation in India aimed at reserving one-third of all seats in the Lok Sabha (Parliament’s lower house) and state legislative assemblies for women.
2. What is the purpose of the Women’s Reservation Bill?
The primary purpose of the bill is to increase the representation of women in Indian politics, addressing the gender imbalance in legislative bodies and promoting gender equality.
3. How will the reserved seats be allocated?
The allocation of reserved seats for women will be determined by an authority prescribed by the Indian Parliament.
4. Is there a provision for women from marginalized communities?
Yes, within the reserved seats for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs), one-third of those seats will also be reserved for women from these respective groups.
5. How will the rotation of reserved seats work?
Reserved seats may be allotted by rotation to different constituencies within a state or union territory, ensuring broader representation.
6. Is the reservation for women permanent?
No, the reservation of seats for women is not permanent. According to the bill, it will cease to exist 15 years after the commencement of the Amendment Act.
7. What are the arguments in favor of the Women’s Reservation Bill?
Proponents argue that the bill is necessary to empower women in politics, promote gender equality, and ensure better allocation of resources.
8. What are the arguments against the Women’s Reservation Bill?
Opponents express concerns that the bill might not promote merit-based competition and could divert attention from other pressing electoral reforms.
9.What is 33% reservation for women?
“33% reservation for women” refers to a policy proposal to reserve one-third of seats in decision-making bodies, like legislatures, for women. It aims to boost female representation and address gender inequality, with the Women’s Reservation Bill in India being a notable example.