UPSC

Women represent 10.5 percent of the total members of the Parliament and state assemblies account for about 9 percent of the leaders. In the last 75 years of independence as per the Election Commission of India the representation has not even grown by 10 percent in Lok Sabha.

• According to Global Gender Gap Report 2020, India ranks 112th in educational attainment out of 153 countries, which reveals a stark involvement of education as a factor that determines women’s participation in politics.

• The disparities between overall voter participation and female voter participation are greater in states with low literacy rates. Males participate in the same proportions whether they are literate or not.

• Women’s social mobility is influenced by their education. Formal education, such as that given in educational institutions, provides an opportunity for leadership and instils critical leadership abilities. Due to a lack of political knowledge, women are oblivious of their basic and political rights.

• The question of literacy not only restricts to contesting but also, to voting. Women’s total engagement is low in states where female literacy is low and high in areas where female literacy is high.

• Some improvements in female literacy over the previous decade does not change the situation, female voter participation has remained relatively flat.