Women hold only 9% of Gujarat assembly seats

In 2014, the Gujarat government led at the time by Anandiben Patel, the state's first woman chief minister, notified the Gujarat Local Authorities Laws (Amendment) Act, 2009, with provision of 50% reservation for women in urban and rural local governing bodies. The decision impacted seven municipal corporations, about 125 municipalities, 30 district panchayats, 225-plus taluka panchayats and several thousand village panchayats in Gujarat.

However, when it comes to representation in state legislative assembly, the number of women MLAs has never exceeded 16, which is less than 9% of the total strength. The assembly has seen 16 women MLAs three times in 2012, 2007 and 1985. The number is a far cry from the 33% reservation for women envisaged in Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies across India.

City-based sociologist Dr Gaurang Jani said that one of the factors deciding representation is social outlook.“Leave alone politics, we don't even see women getting represented in community committees, if we discount the tokenism. The situation is starker in rural areas where sex works as sociocultural barrier,“ he said.


Varsha Doshi, BJP MLA for two terms from Wadhwan constituency, said that there is need for better woman representation in the Gujarat assembly. “It will take place over the passage of time as the party is working on it. I can say that woman MLAs connect better with the woman electorate and understand their issues ranging from fuel to toilets. Women are multi-taskers in their personal lives, which finds reflection in the political arena,“ she said.

'We are at a disadvantage if pitched against men'

Sonal Patel, president of women's wing of GPCC, said that reservation of seats for women is required for a level-playing field. “Despite all claims, women are at a relative disadvantage if pitched against male candidates, forcing the political parties to rethink poll strategy,“ she said.Jyoti Pandya, president of BJP Mahila Cell, said that political awareness among women is prerequisite for better representation.