Reimagining Political Leadership: The Challenges and Opportunities for Women in Haryana | Apoorva Redhu

Women comprise nearly half of Haryana’s electorate but hold only 10% of the assembly seats. Often viewed merely as a valuable voting demographic, they are not seen as influential changemakers. Isn’t it time it changes?

Haryana is a state with a rich history of remarkable women: Vinesh Phogat, the first woman wrestler to reach the Olympic finals; Manu Bhaker, who won double medals in a single Olympics; Kalpana Chawla, the first Indian woman in space; and Manushi Chhillar, who brought home the Miss Universe crown after 17 years. Despite these groundbreaking achievements, the political arena in Haryana remains largely untouched by women leaders. We are still waiting for our "Haryana ki beti" (daughter of Haryana) to rise to the same levels as Mamata Banerjee, Vasundhara Raje, or Jayalalithaa, and to be the authentic and powerful voice of our state in Parliament just like Mahua Moitra or Priyanka Chaturvedi.

The Story So Far

The Honorable Governor of Haryana, Sh. Bandaru Dattatreya wrote an article titled "Let Women Play a Greater Role in Building New India!" on the Raj Bhavan website. He highlighted the numerous fields where women have excelled, such as academics, sports, and entrepreneurship, but did not touch upon their roles as legislators. This led me to explore why Haryana’s women need to catch up in political achievements. To my surprise, in the 58 years of Haryana’s existence, only six women have been sent to the Lok Sabha—a number that pales in comparison to the number of women players who have qualified for the Paris Olympics. With such low representation, their stories remain few and far between.

India granted women the right to vote in the first general elections in 1952. However, even after 72 years, only 14% of Lok Sabha members are women. The situation is even grimmer in State Legislative Assemblies, with Haryana seeing a peak of 13 women MLAs in 2014, now reduced to just 9 in a house of 90.

Why Now More Than Ever

The representation of women in Indian politics has always been uneven, with some states like West Bengal leading the way in promoting gender equality. Haryana, on the other hand, has a long way to go. Despite being one of India’s most prosperous states, Haryana is infamous for its low sex ratio, poor gender development index, and inadequate women’s safety index. The state’s social fabric is deeply patriarchal, where men dominate decision-making, and women are confined to traditional roles. Even during elections, this scenario hardly changes; political parties view women as a lucrative voting bloc rather than potential candidates. They try to win them over with promises of cheaper LPG cylinders and free public transport—offers that barely scratch the surface of what women truly need.

It’s easier for a man with average ability and ambition to enter politics, while women have to overcome numerous barriers. Typically, only women from political dynasties make it into politics, while others face challenges like unequal access to resources and limited networking opportunities. This inequality further entrenches the perception that women are less electable than men.

Yet, a study by PRA Legislative Research shows that the chances of winning for male and female candidates in India are generally similar. If winnability is not an issue, then political parties should be more proactive in offering opportunities to women, who are more than capable of leading and representing their communities. In societies with entrenched patriarchy, increased representation of women could inspire a shift in how they are perceived, valued, and allowed to participate in public life. For a state like Haryana, where female infants have long been denied the right to life, a breakthrough by women in politics could mark the beginning of a truly "No. 1 Haryana."

The Road Ahead

The road ahead for women in Haryana politics is one of both struggle and hope. The increased reservation in Panchayat Raj Institutions has been crucial, giving women a platform to engage in the political process. Today, Haryana has over 2500 women sarpanches and 8000 counsellors who are not just passive participants but active agents of change, addressing key issues ranging from education to healthcare.

The passage of the Women’s Reservation Bill in 2023, through the 106th constitutional amendment, is another significant step. This bill mandates one-third reservation for women in both the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies, aiming to ensure fair representation in decision-making and increase gender sensitivity in legislative processes. While this is a monumental step forward, much remains to be learned and achieved.

Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says, “There cannot be true democracy unless women’s voices are heard. There cannot be true democracy unless women are given the opportunity to take responsibility for their own lives.†The path to true democracy and nation-building involves equal participation from both genders. Women have proven their mettle in every sphere of life, and politics should be no exception. All they need is the right opportunity. The upcoming Vidhan Sabha election in Haryana presents a golden chance for political parties to address the longstanding issue of underrepresentation and usher in a new era of female political leadership. It’s not too late for Haryana to discover its own Kamala Harris or Giorgia Meloni—leaders who could guide us to new heights and restore our status as No. 1 in all aspects. Perhaps the next trailblazing voice could emerge from among our own, like Vinesh Phogat. It’s worth pondering!

(Author: Apoorva Redhu is an Assistant Professor of English, author, and researcher focused on socio-political issues, involving women and Haryana)