Q. The reservation of seats for women in the institutions of local self-government has had a limited impact on the patriarchal character of the Indian Political Process.” Comment.

Introduction:
The 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments mandated 33% reservation for women in local self-government, resulting in 1.4 million serving in local government bodies as of 2024. Yet, this grassroots inclusion has not translated upward as women hold only 14% of seats in the 18th Lok Sabha, despite comprising 49% of the population. This gap underscores the limited impact of such reforms on India’s deeply entrenched patriarchal political structure.

Body:
Positive Impacts of Reservation:
-High Representation in Local Governance:
-As of 2024, women Sarpanchs represent approximately 46% of all elected representatives in Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs). This accounts for over 1.4 million women in grassroots leadership, making India one of the global leaders in women's local governance participation.

-Entry of Marginalized Groups:
-The policy has created space for low-caste and previously excluded women to enter formal political structures, catalyzing their social and political empowerment.

-Reorientation of Governance Priorities:
-Women leaders have foregrounded issues such as poverty, sanitation, nutrition, education, and gender-based discrimination, contributing to more inclusive developmental planning and delivery.

-Improved Accessibility:
· Elected women are often perceived as more approachable and responsive, thereby enhancing citizen-government interface, especially for other women in rural communities.

-Greater Transparency and Accountability:
-Empirical studies show that female-led panchayats exhibit lower corruption and greater responsiveness to community needs.

-Spillover Empowerment Effects:
-Women's experience in leadership roles has had a spiral effect, building confidence and encouraging wider societal participation in decision-making processes. Limited Impact and Persisting Patriarchy:

-Vertical Disconnect in Representation
-While women constitute over 46% of elected representatives in Panchayati Raj Institutions, this grassroots participation has not translated upwards. In 18th Lok Sabha, only 14% of MPs were women, starkly disproportionate to their 49% share in the population.

-Symbolic over Substantive Empowerment
-In many cases, real power remains with male relatives, giving rise to the “Sarpanch Pati” phenomenon, where elected women function as nominal heads without decision-making autonomy.

-Lack of Political Will
-Although the Women’s Reservation Bill was finally passed in 2023 as the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, its enactment came after nearly 30 years of delay since its introduction in 1996, reflecting prolonged political reluctance to ensure women’s representation in higher legislatures.

-Cultural and Structural Barriers
-Patriarchal social norms, domestic burdens, and lack of familial support continue to restrict women's political ambitions. Moreover, criminalization of politics, coupled with masculine norms in political spaces, deters broader participation.

-Elite Capture and Dynastic Politics
-Political entry often remains confined to the “3B Brigade” – beti, bahu, biwi of influential families. This elite bias excludes grassroots or first-generation women leaders from advancing further

-Missing Trickle-Up Effect
-Despite the decentralization success under the 73rd and 74th Amendments, there is no clear institutional mechanism to elevate successful women from LSGs to state assemblies or Parliament.

Way Forward:
-Capacity Building: As suggested by Ministry of Panchayati Raj–UNDP, enhance training for Elected Women Representatives (EWRs).

-Legal Safeguards: Penalize proxy functioning and encourage legal protection for independent decision-making.

-Political Pipeline Strengthening: Create institutional mechanisms to identify and promote capable women leaders from local bodies to state legislatures and Parliament, leveraging the momentum of the Women’s Reservation Act (2023).

-Gender-Sensitive Governance: Institutionalize gender audits, mentorship programs, and community-level awareness to break stereotypes.

Conclusion:
While local reservations have enabled women’s entry into governance, patriarchal norms still hinder true empowerment. India must complement legal reforms with cultural and institutional change. Rwanda’s 61% women representation in Parliament shows that strong political will can transform gender equality into a governance reality.