**Summary:**
The Government of India, through the Ministry of Women and Child Development, is actively promoting greater participation of women in local governance and political leadership through a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach. This commitment is reflected in the increasing number of women contesting and winning elections at various levels. The number of women elected to the Lok Sabha has risen from 22 in the First Lok Sabha to 75 in the 18th Lok Sabha, constituting approximately 14% of the total members. Similarly, the Rajya Sabha has seen an increase in women members from 15 in 1952 to 42 at present, representing about 17% of the total members.
At the grassroots level, there are approximately 1.45 million Elected Women Representatives (EWRs) in Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), accounting for about 46% of the total elected representatives. Twenty-one states have implemented 50% reservation for women in PRIs, exceeding the constitutional mandate of 33%.
A significant milestone was achieved with the passage of the Constitution One Hundred and Sixth Amendment Act, 2023, the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam. This legislation reserves one-third of all seats for women in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies, including the Legislative Assembly of the National Capital Territory of Delhi, on a rotational basis.
To further empower women in governance, the government has launched the Sashakt PanchayatNetri Abhiyan, a capacity-building initiative for Women Elected Representatives (WERs) of PRIs. Specialized training modules and a Primer on Law Addressing Gender Based Violence and Harmful Practices for Panchayat Elected Representatives have been developed. The Model Women-Friendly Gram Panchayats Initiative aims to establish at least one model gram panchayat in each district that is women and girl-friendly.
Moreover, the government supports Self Help Groups (SHGs), with 10 crore women linked to over 90 lakh SHGs, facilitating economic transformation and leadership at the grassroots level.
This information was provided by the Minister of State for Women and Child Development, Smt. Savitri Thakur, in Rajya Sabha.
Key Entities Referenced
Rajya Sabha: The Upper House of the Parliament of India.
Ministry of Women and Child Development: The Indian governmental ministry responsible for policies and programs related to women and children.
Lok Sabha: The Lower House of the Parliament of India.
Panchayati Raj Institutions: Local self-government institutions at the village or rural level in India.
Constitution One Hundred and Sixth Amendment Act, 2023: An act of the Parliament of India that reserves seats for women in the Lok Sabha, State Legislative Assemblies, and the Legislative Assembly of National Capital Territory of Delhi.
Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam: The short name of the Constitution One Hundred and Sixth Amendment Act, 2023, which reserves seats for women in legislative bodies.
Legislative Assembly of National Capital Territory of Delhi: The legislative body of the National Capital Territory of Delhi, India.
Sashakt PanchayatNetri Abhiyan: A capacity-building initiative aimed at strengthening Women Elected Representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions in India.
Ministry of Women and Child Development
Government is promoting greater participation of
women in local governance and political leadership
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Posted On: 30 JUL 2025 4:49PM by PIB Delhi
The Government of India has adopted a “whole-of-government” and “whole-of-society” approach to address
issues on a life-cycle continuum basis for the holistic empowerment of women from all sections of the
society, and this includes political empowerment of women. Through various policies, the Government of
India is promoting greater participation of women in local governance and political leadership roles.
The total number of women contesting general elections in the country has increased from 3% in 1957 to 10%
in 2024. The total number of elected women members, which was 22 in the First Lok Sabha and 27 in the
th th
Second Lok Sabha has increased to 78 in the 17 Lok Sabha and to 75 in the 18 Lok Sabha (which is
approximately 14% of the total members). In the Rajya Sabha also, the total number of women members in
1952 was 15, which is 42 at present. It is approximately 17% of the total members. Further, the country has
about 14.5 lakh Elected Women Representatives (EWRs) in Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), which is about
46% of the total elected representatives, unparalleled in the world. There are 21 States in the country who
have made provision for 50% reservation for women in PRIs as against constitutional mandate of minimum
33% reservation for women.
In 2023, Parliament of India passed the Constitution (One Hundred and Sixth Amendment) Act, 2023, “Nari
Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam”, marking a historic milestone in its national journey to foster equitable
representation of women in public life at all levels of the federal structure. This landmark legislation
rotationally reserves one-third of all seats for women in the Lower House of Parliament, Lok Sabha, and in all
State Legislative Assemblies, including Legislative Assembly of National Capital Territory of Delhi, thus
institutionalizing representation of women in politics at the highest levels of public decision-making.
The Government has launched the “Sashakt Panchayat-Netri Abhiyan”, a comprehensive and targeted
capacity-building initiative aimed at strengthening Women Elected Representatives of Panchayati Raj
Institutions across the nation. It focuses on sharpening their leadership acumen, enhancing their decision-
making capabilities, and reinforcing their role in grassroots governance. The Government has prepared
specialized training modules designed specifically for capacity building of Women Elected Representatives of
Panchayati Raj Institutions. Recognizing the on-ground challenges faced by women duty bearers and women
leaders contesting elections, a comprehensive “Primer on Law Addressing Gender Based Violence and
Harmful Practices” for Panchayat Elected Representatives has also been prepared.
Recently, the Government has launched Model Women-Friendly Gram Panchayats Initiative with an aim to
establish at least one Model Gram Panchayat in each District in the country that is both women and girl
friendly, reinforcing the commitment to gender equality and sustainable rural development.
Envisioning Self Help Groups (SHG) as vehicles of change, today 10 crore women linked with over 90 Lakh
SHGs, with support from government are transforming the rural landscape economically, and taking greater
leadership at grassroots level.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Women and Child Development Smt. Savitri Thakur
in Rajya Sabha in reply to a question today.
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SS/MS(Release ID: 2150216)