The study explores the critical link between women’s empowerment and political participation in India, analyzing how democratic inclusion shapes gender equality. Although the Indian Constitution guarantees equal political rights to all citizens, including women, their effective representation in political institutions remains disproportionately low. The research examines both constitutional provisions—such as Articles 14, 15(3), and 325–326—and transformative legal milestones like the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments, which mandate reservations for women in local governance. Despite these efforts, representation in higher legislative bodies like the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha remains limited, with societal barriers, patriarchal norms, and weak implementation of protective laws impeding progress. Using secondary data from legal texts, government reports, and scholarly sources, the article critically assesses historical developments, current participation rates, and policy gaps. It further identifies strategic interventions needed to empower women politically, including legal reform, gender-sensitive education, civic awareness, and mandatory quotas for political parties.
Keywords: Women Empowerment, Political Participation, Gender Equality, Constitutional Rights, Representation, Democracy, Reservation, India
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