Context : Increasing Women’s Voter Turnout
- Women’s political participation in India has improved, but their role beyond voting remains limited.
- Unlike Western democracies, where the gender gap in political engagement narrowed in the 1990s, India saw this shift only in the 2010s.
- A significant increase in women’s voter turnout has been observed in recent elections, attributed to targeted welfare policies and efforts by the Election Commission.
Relevance : GS 2(Social Issues ,Elections )
Role of Welfare Schemes in Shaping Women’s Voting Behavior
- Political parties view women voters as a distinct constituency, often framing them as passive beneficiaries rather than active political agents.
- Welfare schemes such as Ujjwala Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Ladli Behna Yojana, and Ladli Laxmi Yojana have played a crucial role in influencing voting patterns.
- However, high voter turnout among women does not necessarily translate into real political empowerment or independent political agency.
Women’s Political Participation Beyond Voting
- Women’s involvement in political activities beyond voting—such as participation in rallies, campaigns, and political discussions—remains lower than that of men.
- Only 14% of women report seeking advice from their spouses for voting decisions, showing some degree of independence, but this is still significantly higher than men.
- Social norms and structural barriers continue to limit women’s engagement in political processes.
Factors Influencing Women’s Increased Voter Turnout
- Self-empowerment hypothesis suggests that rising literacy and employment opportunities have encouraged women to vote independently.
- However, contradictions exist:
- Female workforce participation remains low, weakening the argument that economic independence is the primary driver.
- Women’s voter registration still lags behind men’s, despite Election Commission efforts.
- Male migration (especially in economically weaker states) has resulted in higher female voter turnout, as more women are left to vote independently.
Intersectionality: Caste, Class, and Regional Variations
- Women’s voting behavior is shaped by caste, class, and regional identities, not just gender.
- State-specific political contexts play a crucial role:
- In Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and West Bengal, regional political movements shape women’s voting preferences rather than a unified national gender-based trend.
- Women from marginalized communities may prioritize caste and economic concerns over gender solidarity when voting.
Key Takeaways
- Women’s voter turnout has increased significantly, but deeper political engagement remains limited.
- Women’s political preferences are not solely based on gender but are shaped by caste, class, and regional identities.
- The idea of a unified “women’s constituency” in Indian elections remains premature, as their electoral choices are driven by broader socio-political factors.
