Transforming representation into real change by 2029, Pg10

Key Highlights:

• In 2029, India is expected to have its most gender-representative Parliament due to the Women’s Reservation Act, reserving one-third of Lok Sabha seats for women.
• Over 100 million Indians are currently over 60, and this number is projected to exceed 250 million by 2040.
• A 2023 study estimates that 8.8 million Indians over 60 have dementia, expected to double by 2036, disproportionately affecting women.
• In January 2026, Maharashtra launched menopause clinics across 580 government facilities, with over 31,000 women seeking help in five weeks.

Detailed Insights:

• The Women’s Reservation Act aims to significantly increase women's political representation, but its impact depends on addressing key issues affecting women, such as elder care.
• India lacks a comprehensive policy framework for elder care that considers the specific needs of women, who often face lower savings, broken employment histories, and a lack of caregivers.
• The National Policy for Older Persons (1999) and the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme address elderly needs through a lens of poverty and health, but lack a gender dimension.
• To ensure effective representation, political parties should prioritize issues like dignified ageing and elder care, incorporating them into candidate selection, campaigns, and manifestos.
• Age- and gender-disaggregated data, transparent budgeting for elder care, and political commitment to dignified ageing are crucial for the 2029 Parliament to address women's needs effectively.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Women’s Reservation Act: Law reserving seats for women in legislatures to enhance their political representation.
• Elder Care: Services and support for older adults, including healthcare, housing, and social assistance.
• Dementia: A general term for loss of memory, language, problem-solving and other thinking abilities that are severe enough to interfere with daily life.