Women in Leadership: The Promise of the Women’s Reservation Bill
The National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) carried out by the Government of India between 2019 and 2021 revealed a historic shift, India now has 1,020 women for every 1,000 men. For the first time, the country has more women than men.
But while the numbers on paper suggest a demographic balance, our social and institutional structures tell a different story. When it comes to leadership, governance, and representation, women continue to remain underrepresented in positions of influence, both in politics and in corporate India.
The Gender Gap in Leadership
In the corporate world, women hold only 11% of leadership roles, according to the Egon Zehnder Global Diversity Report (2020). These figures are even more dismal in the political space.
A report by the Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR) and National Election Watch (NEW) in 2019 revealed that only 9% of elected representatives, MLAs and MPs, are women across India.
This imbalance underscores a systemic issue: the gap between equality in numbers and equality in power. India may have more women demographically, but their presence in decision-making roles, where policies are shaped, budgets are allocated, and systems are reformed, remains far below their proportion in the population.
The Women’s Reservation Bill: A Step Towards Change
The Women’s Reservation Bill, first introduced in 1996, aims to correct this disparity by reserving 33.33% of seats for women in:
- The Lok Sabha (Lower House of Parliament)
- State Legislative Assemblies
- Rural and urban local bodies
After years of resistance, the Bill was finally passed in the Rajya Sabha on 9th March 2010, amidst considerable opposition from some political parties. It has since been reintroduced in the Lok Sabha, awaiting full passage.
If enacted, this Bill could bring about one of the most transformative shifts in India’s democratic structure, ensuring that women are not just participants but key decision-makers in shaping national policy.
Why Women in Leadership Matters
The passage of this Bill would not just be symbolic. It would have tangible effects on economic, social, and political outcomes.
- Research by the United Nations University examined 4,265 state assembly constituencies across India over two decades (1992–2012). The findings were remarkable:
- Economic growth: Women legislators improved the economic performance of their constituencies by 1.8 percentage points per year more than their male counterparts.
- Infrastructure development: Constituencies represented by women saw higher completion rates of road projects and other critical infrastructure.
- Ethical governance: Women legislators were significantly less likely to have criminal charges and less prone to misuse their office for personal gain.
- Representation and relatability: They were also slightly younger on average, suggesting a growing wave of younger, more reform-minded leadership entering politics through women’s participation.
These findings reinforce what global studies have long shown: that when women lead, communities thrive.
Women leaders tend to prioritise policies that enhance education, healthcare, social welfare, and transparency. They bring collaborative, empathetic approaches to governance that not only strengthen institutions but also build trust in public systems.
Beyond Tokenism: Building Structural Inclusion
However, for the Bill to succeed in spirit and not just on paper, it must be backed by structural reforms that enable women to thrive in leadership roles. This includes:
- Training and mentorship programs for women entering politics
- Financial support and equitable access to campaign resources
- Safety and protection from gendered violence in public life
- Cultural change that normalises women’s authority and leadership
Representation cannot be limited to quotas; it must evolve into a sustainable pipeline of women leaders who influence institutions long after their tenure.
Corporate Parallels: A Shared Challenge
Interestingly, the struggle for representation in Indian politics mirrors the gap seen in corporate India. Despite several diversity pledges, boardrooms and C-suites remain male-dominated spaces.
Bridging this divide requires not just policy-level interventions, but a culture shift, from viewing women as symbolic participants to recognising them as strategic leaders capable of driving growth and transformation.
When women lead teams, companies report better collaboration, stronger innovation, and higher profitability. The same logic applies to nations.
A Turning Point for India
India has spent over 75 years striving for gender equality, and yet, representation in leadership remains an unfinished goal. The Women’s Reservation Bill represents more than just a legal amendment; it is an opportunity to reimagine democracy as inclusive, equitable, and forward-looking.
If passed, it could redefine governance across all levels, making way for policies that better reflect the lived realities of half the population.
It’s time India not only celebrates its demographic balance but also ensures balance in decision-making.
Because equality in numbers means little, until it translates into equality in power.