Women constitute nearly 50% of India’s population but remain severely underrepresented in legislative bodies, especially in State Assemblies. Civil society groups (CSGs) have played a critical role in addressing structural, social, and political barriers that hinder women's participation in politics.

Role of Civil Society in Enhancing Women's Political Participation

1. Advocacy for Legislative and Policy Reforms: Civil society groups have been instrumental in lobbying for gender quotas in State Assemblies.

   Example: CSOs like Shakti and Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) actively campaign for the Women's Reservation Bill.

2. Leadership Training and Political Education: NGOs like The Hunger Project, Jagori, and Anhad have conducted leadership-building programs for women from marginalized communities.

3. Handholding Women Post-Election:

   • Many elected women, particularly first-timers, face institutional resistance and isolation.
   • Civil society groups like Mahila Samakhya and SWATI offer support with legal aid, RTI training, and access to bureaucratic channels, enabling effective governance by women MLAs.

4. Monitoring Gender Inclusion in Electoral Processes: Reports by ADR and Common Cause on the low number of women candidates have put pressure on parties ahead of state elections (e.g., in Telangana 2023 and UP 2022).

5. Promotion of Digital Platforms for Outreach: Civil society has harnessed digital tools and social media to create visibility for women leaders.

   Example: Platforms like She Leads and Politics for Her profile women politicians, provide mentorship, and run online campaigns encouraging female political participation.

6. Intersectional Mobilization: CSGs working with Dalit, Adivasi, Muslim, and LGBTQ+ women (e.g., Dalit Women Fight, Nazariya, Sakhi) ensure that inclusion is not limited to urban or upper-caste women.

7. Media Engagement and Narrative Shaping: Civil society institutions have worked with journalists to counter patriarchal narratives that often demean or trivialize women politicians.

   Example: Initiatives like Khabar Lahariya and Feminism in India spotlight women’s political journeys and normalize female leadership in politics.

8. Coalition Building and Collective Bargaining:

   • National-level alliances such as the Women’s Political Empowerment Day Collectives act as platforms to amplify demands for women’s representation across states.
   • These coalitions create solidarity and collective bargaining power in dialogues with Election Commission and political parties.

9. Partnership with Government Institutions: Civil society groups have collaborated with State Women Commissions, Election Commission, and Ministries of Women and Child Development to organize training, review discriminatory policies, and advocate for electoral reforms.

10. Raising Awareness Among Women Voters:

    • CSOs have undertaken massive campaigns to make women aware of their voting power, and how women legislators are more likely to prioritize health, education, and safety.
    • Voter awareness drives have been crucial in increasing voter turnout among women, which in turn raises demand for female candidates.

The collaborative efforts of civil society groups have been instrumental in creating an enabling environment for women's political participation, though significant challenges remain in achieving equal representation. The continuous advocacy and support mechanisms established by these organizations serve as a foundation for achieving SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and strengthening India's democratic fabric through inclusive representation.