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| Gender & Governance |
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The representation of women in Parliament and State assemblies is extremely low in India. In
spite of having a registered voting population of 1040 million, in the last General Elections
(2004), the total number of women candidates contesting elections from all recognized political
parties was only 176, out of which only 45 women were elected. This is just 8.2 % of the total
strength of the Lower House of Parliament. The average percentage of elected women in 14
State Assembly elections held in 2004, 2005 and 2006 was just 6.62%.
When women are 48.26% of India's population and constitute 44.2% of all voters in national
election, then why are only 9.2% of the Lok Sabha's and 8.6% of the Rajya Sabha's elected
representatives women. Why is it that the present government has only 6 women as
ministers of state and 2 female out of 32 Indian cabinet ministers. Does 13% of victory of women
contesting 2004 General Elections indicate something? All these figures point toward the
inadequacy or absence of women in governance and effective democracy.
While the Constitution of India, in Articles 325 and 326, guarantees political equality to all men
and women, women clearly have not benefitted from this right. In this context, it is critical to
enhance the capacity of women to fight elections; reduce or remove the preventive barriers; and
to introduce new affirmative steps - such as quotas, that can enhance the participation of
women in the state and national parliaments. In India, there is a strong need to lobby for
passage of 33% Reservation of Seats for Women in Parliament Bill.
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| CSR's Role |
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| UNDEF Project |
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Currently, CSR is implementing a prestigious project on “Enhancing the Role of Women in
Strengthening Democracy” supported by the United Nations Democracy Fund. The project
involves advocacy and lobbying to increase seats for women in political parties and to pass the
Women's Reservation Bill as well as capacity building of women through a pipeline of 1000
potential women leaders. To find out more about this project, look here.
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| Past Activities |
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CSR has completed several Research projects in the area of gender and governance. In 2006,
CSR conducted a comparative research study on Women in Panchayati Raj Institutions in
Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh. Other studies which have focused on engendering governance
include the following:
- Women-Headed Households in Rural India;
- Strengthening the Government - Citizen Connection for Effective Governance of
Urban Local Bodies;
- Gender and Local Governance: It's Implications on Development;
- Study on Women Parliamentarians.
As far as Advocacy is concerned, CSR has turned its attentions to lobbying on this issue on an
international platform, and ensuring that Indian women's voices are heard.
CSR attended the International Women Leaders Security Summit in November 2007. Enhancing
the effectiveness of women's leadership on global security was the main theme of this meeting.
To read a report of the summit, click here.
On November 24th, 2006 CSR co-organized a rally to demand the tabling and passage of the
Women's Reservation Bill at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi.
 At the United Nations 50th Committee on Status of Women meeting in
New York in February 2006, which focused on enhancing political
participation for women, CSR issued a statement and stressed that the
Status of Women Committee should resolve to fix a time frame for
countries to create gender balance in politics in national parliaments. In this context, WEDO organized a Five-year Review Meeting in New York (24th-26th February
2006), to review the Global Campaign - Gender Balance 50/50 in Politics. CSR, a network
partner of WEDO, presented the status of South Asian women in terms of political empowerment
in South Asia.
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