India, political participation of women is not impressive when compared with men. This is the case in most of the countries across the world. However, women’s political participation now is quite encouraging compared to the older times. Today it remains stronger than ever. But, in India, women who have decision making powers invariably hail from urban and elite groups. Even today, representation of women in Indian Parliament is far from satisfactory. Women have been demanding for more space in legislative bodies.

Political participation means exercising the right to vote, power sharing, membership of political parties, electoral campaigning, attending party meetings, holding party positions, contesting elections, co-decision making, co-policy making at all levels of governance of the state. Simply put, it is a process through which individuals plays a role in political life deciding the common goals of the society and determining the best way to achieve it.

The root of political participation of women can be traced back to 19th century reform movements. Social reformers like Rajaram Mohan Roy, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, Mahadeva Govinda Ranade, Behramji Malabari believed that social evils could be eradicated by raising consciousness and educating women.

Pre independent political participation of women

The late 19th and early 20th centuries witnessed the establishment of women’s associations all over the country. These organisations took up the issues concerning women