On the eve of elections, women’s groups awaken”often guided by political motives”to voice their aspirations. Yet, the long-pending Women’s Reservation Bill (106th Constitutional Amendment, 2023) remains unimplemented, reflecting political hesitation and deep-rooted misogyny. While women form 50 per cent of India’s electorate, their representation stands at only 15 per cent in the Lok Sabha and a mere 9 per cent in State Assemblies. Contrast this with the Panchayati Raj system, where one-third”and in some states, over half”of leadership positions are held by women, proving their competence and integrity. Educated, socially committed, and largely non-corrupt, women deserve an equal voice in shaping the nation’s destiny. Token gestures like free education or welfare schemes cannot substitute genuine empowerment. The true test of ‘Nari Shakti’ lies in granting women their rightful political space”one-third reservation in politics. Symbolically India had one woman PM, one President, 2 Vice-presidents, few CMs but not a Chief Justice since independence.
