Highlights

Where are women in UP politics? There is a Mayawati, there is a Priyanka...but beyond a handful of poster women, the numbers are not great! Here's our deep dive into UP's politics’ gender report card.

Latest news

Bangladesh Government Plans to Renegotiate Power Deal with Adani Power, Citing Unfair Terms

Bangladesh Government Plans to Renegotiate Power Deal with Adani Power, Citing Unfair Terms

NDA and INDIA bloc MPs clash in Parliament; BJP accuses Rahul Gandhi of pushing its MP

NDA and INDIA bloc MPs clash in Parliament; BJP accuses Rahul Gandhi of pushing its MP

Punjab: Over 200 accident victims receive treatment under Farishtey scheme

Punjab: Over 200 accident victims receive treatment under Farishtey scheme

Jalandhar police returns seized property worth Rs 13 crores to rightful owners

Jalandhar police returns seized property worth Rs 13 crores to rightful owners

Goa CM Sawant Celebrates Liberation Day, Honors Freedom Fighters and State’s Progress

Goa CM Sawant Celebrates Liberation Day, Honors Freedom Fighters and State’s Progress

NDA, INDIA bloc MPs hold protest marches in parliament premises over Ambedkar issue

NDA, INDIA bloc MPs hold protest marches in parliament premises over Ambedkar issue

New Zealand falls into recession with abrupt economic slowdown

New Zealand falls into recession with abrupt economic slowdown

Fadnavis and Shinde Pay Tribute at RSS Founders' Memorials in Nagpur, Meet Office-Bearers

Fadnavis and Shinde Pay Tribute at RSS Founders' Memorials in Nagpur, Meet Office-Bearers

UP elections 2022: Chunaav Pe Charcha | EJ In-depth: Women in UP Politics (or the lack thereof)

Where are women in UP politics? There is a Mayawati, there is a Priyanka...but beyond a handful of poster women, the numbers are not great!  Here's our deep dive into UP's politics’ gender report card.  

UP elections 2022: Chunaav Pe Charcha | EJ In-depth: Women in UP Politics (or the lack thereof)

Out of the 15 Prime Ministers India has elected, 9 have been from the state of Uttar Pradesh. With 80 seats in the Lok Sabha, UP has the largest representational share in the nation’s policymaking.

It is but a redundant understatement to emphasise that’s Uttar Pradesh’s leadership shapes the course the nation takes. Then it becomes even more crucial to ask why the sixty-four million six hundred thirteen thousand seven hundred and forty-seven women strong electorate has only a meagre 10% representation in the state’s assembly.

One half of the UP electorate has been disproportionately absent from participating in the governance process. In 1952, the first state polls after Independence, Uttar Pradesh elected 20 women to the state legislation. Pleasantly surprising everyone, it then elected the country’s first female Chief Minister Sucheta Kripalani in 1963.

However, then the report card turns red and performance dwindles. From a paltry 3 legislators in 2007, the state saw the highest representation only a decade later in 2017 with 40 women in the 403 member House. The first double-digit share - 10%. Meanwhile, the overrepresentation of men ranges between 90-99% even though the male electorate accounts for only 53-55%.

To be proportional, there should be over 180 women in the House.

So when on October 19th Priyanka Gandhi Vadra promised that Congress will field 40% or 160 female candidates in the 2022 state polls, eyebrows were raised.

Critics argued that the move is a political gimmick and Congress is not even a major player in the state to cast a dent with its campaign gambit and if Priyanka was focused on women empowerment, congress would start applying the 40% policy in states where they have a majority.

Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati deemed the move ‘pure election drama’. Point to note, according to an Indian Express report, in the 2017 state polls the former Chief Minister’s party fielded 21 women. And 382 men.

So, is Priyanka’s move political? Sure. It is also laudable, because it is a first.

It is a shift from the campaign politics focused on the caste matrix and religious polarisation that has so far appealed to the male-dominated ballot in the state and led to a male-dominated assembly.

It can also work as a pressure tactic, forcing other political parties to amp up their female candidates to outweigh the so-called-gimmick.
It is also not a far-fetched idealistic move that is impossible, or more importantly, winnable.

Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress has been at the forefront of this electoral crusade. In 2014, TMC fielded 35% female candidates and then followed it up with 41% in 2019. The move pressure the Opposition Left and BJP to field more women. TMC won both polls.

In 2020 Bihar election Nitish’s Janata Dal (United) fielded a historic 19% women candidates and defeated the anti-incumbency to retain his Chief Ministerial seat.

The argument that women are not winnable candidates in a patriarchal society has been proved wrong. Numbers suggest that the winning rate is either comparable for the sexes or favourable towards women.

Clearly, it pays to put women in politics. Statistically, it also pays to listen to the women who are voting.

Rise of the female voting bloc

There has been a dramatic rise in female voter participation since the 1990s.

To the extent, that in the 2017 UP assembly election, more women voted than men.

63.25% to 59.5%

Studies suggest that women vote differently than men. Interestingly, the gender of the candidate does not sway this bloc. Simply put, women are not more likely to vote for female candidates. While men are more likely to be swayed by promises of infrastructural agendas, the female voting bloc is wooed by welfare schemes.

Most leading parties have taken cognisance of this voter base that can make or break elections. Political campaigns and manifestos are now tailored to appeal to the needs of the women.

Hence, Priyanka’s 40% reservation promise.

But will it work in UP? It worked for the winner of the 2017 polls. BJP and ally Apna Dal had the highest female representation- they gave 43 tickets to women in their 384 strong candidates list, out of which 35 women won.

In 1996, the Dewe Gowda government introduced a constitutional amendment bill in the Parliament, that sought to reserve one-third of seats for women in the the Lok Sabha and the state legislative assemblies.

Twenty-five years later, the Women’s Reservation Bill is yet to be an attainable bipartisan goal.

So, equal representation to women in politics through a constitutional recourse still looks distant.

In such a scenario, it's for the political parties to take the lead and make sure that women are not missing from UP governance and politics.

ADVERTISEMENT

Up Next

UP elections 2022: Chunaav Pe Charcha | EJ In-depth: Women in UP Politics (or the lack thereof)

UP elections 2022: Chunaav Pe Charcha | EJ In-depth: Women in UP Politics (or the lack thereof)

Was this Shashi Tharoor's last election? Congress leader reveals

Was this Shashi Tharoor's last election? Congress leader reveals

What lies ahead for AIADMK after Lok Sabha debacle?

What lies ahead for AIADMK after Lok Sabha debacle?

Meet GenZ candidates set to become India’s youngest MPs

Meet GenZ candidates set to become India’s youngest MPs

Odisha's chief ministerial race: five BJP stalwarts in contention

Odisha's chief ministerial race: five BJP stalwarts in contention

Modi's swearing-in ceremony, India to invite top leaders of neighbouring countries: report

Modi's swearing-in ceremony, India to invite top leaders of neighbouring countries: report

ADVERTISEMENT

editorji-whatsApp

More videos

Naidu and Kumar seek key cabinet posts in Modi's next term: report

Naidu and Kumar seek key cabinet posts in Modi's next term: report

What next for jailed Amritpal Singh, Engineer Rashid who have now become lawmakers?

What next for jailed Amritpal Singh, Engineer Rashid who have now become lawmakers?

Narendra Modi elected NDA leader, to be next PM

Narendra Modi elected NDA leader, to be next PM

Mallikarjun Kharge invites parties with 'shared values' to join INDIA bloc

Mallikarjun Kharge invites parties with 'shared values' to join INDIA bloc

INDIA bloc leaders hold meet at Mallikarjun Kharge residence

INDIA bloc leaders hold meet at Mallikarjun Kharge residence

President Murmu dissolves 17th Lok Sabha

President Murmu dissolves 17th Lok Sabha

Will top BJP allies stay in NDA or leave? Modi 3.0 hangs in the balance

Will top BJP allies stay in NDA or leave? Modi 3.0 hangs in the balance

NDA meet at PM Modi residence, discussion on forming govt

NDA meet at PM Modi residence, discussion on forming govt

KL Sharma wins Amethi, how Congress planned Rahul revenge

KL Sharma wins Amethi, how Congress planned Rahul revenge

Union Cabinet recommends dissolution of 17th Lok Sabha

Union Cabinet recommends dissolution of 17th Lok Sabha

Narendra Modi expected to take oath as PM on June 8: report

Narendra Modi expected to take oath as PM on June 8: report

Lok Sabha election results: Tejashwi Yadav pulled crowds in Bihar, but failed to turn them into votes

Lok Sabha election results: Tejashwi Yadav pulled crowds in Bihar, but failed to turn them into votes

JDU will give letter of support to NDA, PM Modi: KC Tyagi

JDU will give letter of support to NDA, PM Modi: KC Tyagi

INDIA bloc and NDA leaders in huddle after June 4 Lok Sabha result

INDIA bloc and NDA leaders in huddle after June 4 Lok Sabha result

Chandrababu Naidu breaks suspense over defection to INDIA bloc

Chandrababu Naidu breaks suspense over defection to INDIA bloc

Nitish Kumar, Chandrababu Naidu emerge as kingmakers as BJP short of majority

Nitish Kumar, Chandrababu Naidu emerge as kingmakers as BJP short of majority

BJP falls short of majority, Nitish Kumar to attend NDA meet in Delhi

BJP falls short of majority, Nitish Kumar to attend NDA meet in Delhi

Cycle rolls over BJP's Purvanchal fortress, comparison with 2019 result

Cycle rolls over BJP's Purvanchal fortress, comparison with 2019 result

Jailed Kashmiri leader beats Omar Abdullah, Sajad Lone to win Baramulla seat

Jailed Kashmiri leader beats Omar Abdullah, Sajad Lone to win Baramulla seat

PM Modi thanks Chandrababu Naidu, Nitish Kumar in victory speech | Lok Sabha election results

PM Modi thanks Chandrababu Naidu, Nitish Kumar in victory speech | Lok Sabha election results

For first time in 10 years, Congress opens account in Gujarat

For first time in 10 years, Congress opens account in Gujarat

How Rahul Gandhi set the Lok Sabha campaign narrative, and BJP followed

How Rahul Gandhi set the Lok Sabha campaign narrative, and BJP followed

Setback for BJP as Faizabad picks Samajwadi candidate Awadhesh Prasad

Setback for BJP as Faizabad picks Samajwadi candidate Awadhesh Prasad

BJP's Tamil Nadu star Annamalai's bleak ballot debut

BJP's Tamil Nadu star Annamalai's bleak ballot debut

Uttar Pradesh result establishes Akhilesh at centre stage, end of road for Mayawati

Uttar Pradesh result establishes Akhilesh at centre stage, end of road for Mayawati

When Modi loses, Adani stocks fall: Rahul Gandhi as BJP falls short of majority

When Modi loses, Adani stocks fall: Rahul Gandhi as BJP falls short of majority

Smriti Irani concedes defeat, thanks PM Modi, Yogi for letting her serve Amethi

Smriti Irani concedes defeat, thanks PM Modi, Yogi for letting her serve Amethi

Nation rejected politics of Modi, Shah: Rahul Gandhi in press conference

Nation rejected politics of Modi, Shah: Rahul Gandhi in press conference

London postgrad Iqra Hasan beats BJP in once communally charged Kairana

London postgrad Iqra Hasan beats BJP in once communally charged Kairana

Shyam Rangeela mimics PM Modi, 'calls' Nitish Kumar and Chandrababu Naidu in hilarious video

Shyam Rangeela mimics PM Modi, 'calls' Nitish Kumar and Chandrababu Naidu in hilarious video

'Real' Shiv Sena, NCP outperformed by Sharad, Uddhav in Maharashtra

'Real' Shiv Sena, NCP outperformed by Sharad, Uddhav in Maharashtra

BJP's Rajeev Chandrashekhar concedes defeat to Shashi Tharoor | Thiruvananthapuram LS seat

BJP's Rajeev Chandrashekhar concedes defeat to Shashi Tharoor | Thiruvananthapuram LS seat

NOTA gets record 2.18 lakh votes in Indore where Congress candidate withdrew

NOTA gets record 2.18 lakh votes in Indore where Congress candidate withdrew

Sharad Pawar denies talks with Nitish Kumar | Lok Sabha election results

Sharad Pawar denies talks with Nitish Kumar | Lok Sabha election results

Odisha assembly elections: BJP likely to dethrone Naveen Patnaik

Odisha assembly elections: BJP likely to dethrone Naveen Patnaik

Lok Sabha elections: INDIA bloc leading in 44 seats, BJP-led NDA in 35

Lok Sabha elections: INDIA bloc leading in 44 seats, BJP-led NDA in 35

Congress' Amethi pick KL Sharma reacts to potential win over BJP's Smriti Irani

Congress' Amethi pick KL Sharma reacts to potential win over BJP's Smriti Irani

Mamata Banerjee stays strong in her turf, outperforms BJP in West Bengal

Mamata Banerjee stays strong in her turf, outperforms BJP in West Bengal

BJP short of majority as per latest trends, NDA likely to cross 272

BJP short of majority as per latest trends, NDA likely to cross 272

BJP going to form govt for third time, says Kangana Ranaut

BJP going to form govt for third time, says Kangana Ranaut

Lok Sabha election results: Khalistani leader Amritpal Singh leads in Punjab

Lok Sabha election results: Khalistani leader Amritpal Singh leads in Punjab

Smriti Irani stares at defeat as KL Sharma takes massive lead in Amethi

Smriti Irani stares at defeat as KL Sharma takes massive lead in Amethi

BJP workers imitate shaving man's head to mock Somnath Bharti

BJP workers imitate shaving man's head to mock Somnath Bharti

'Not happy about Hassan result': JDS leader Kumaraswamy

'Not happy about Hassan result': JDS leader Kumaraswamy

Lok Sabha results LIVE: BJP set to lose heavily in Uttar Pradesh as SP-Congress leads in 42 seats 

Lok Sabha results LIVE: BJP set to lose heavily in Uttar Pradesh as SP-Congress leads in 42 seats 

BJP on verge of creating history in Kerala, Suresh Gopi poised to win from Thrissur

BJP on verge of creating history in Kerala, Suresh Gopi poised to win from Thrissur

Lok Sabha election 2024 results: counting of votes across 543 constituencies underway

Lok Sabha election 2024 results: counting of votes across 543 constituencies underway

Celebrations begin at TMC office in Kolkata | Watch

Celebrations begin at TMC office in Kolkata | Watch

Sanjay Raut bats for Rahul Gandhi as PM, says Congress may cross 150

Sanjay Raut bats for Rahul Gandhi as PM, says Congress may cross 150

Andhra Pradesh assembly polls result: Naidu's TDP well on its way to dethrone YSRCP

Andhra Pradesh assembly polls result: Naidu's TDP well on its way to dethrone YSRCP

'This is just trailer': Congress' Jairam Ramesh takes sly dig at BJP

'This is just trailer': Congress' Jairam Ramesh takes sly dig at BJP

BJP candidate Kangana Ranaut offer prayers on election result day

BJP candidate Kangana Ranaut offer prayers on election result day

Counting of votes for Andhra, Odisha assembly elections begins

Counting of votes for Andhra, Odisha assembly elections begins

These are early trends, won't celebrate prematurely: Supriya Shrinate

These are early trends, won't celebrate prematurely: Supriya Shrinate

We will comfortably form government: Congress candidate Vikramaditya Singh

We will comfortably form government: Congress candidate Vikramaditya Singh

Hoping exit poll proves right for J&K: NC leader Omar Abdullah

Hoping exit poll proves right for J&K: NC leader Omar Abdullah

Will work for all, whether they voted for me or not: Shashi Tharoor

Will work for all, whether they voted for me or not: Shashi Tharoor

Exit polls 2024: Congress likely to maintain lead in Punjab, no gain for AAP

Exit polls 2024: Congress likely to maintain lead in Punjab, no gain for AAP

Today is last day of dictatorship: AAP leader Gopal Rai

Today is last day of dictatorship: AAP leader Gopal Rai

Ram Rajya will continue: BJP Gorakhpur candidate Ravi Kishan

Ram Rajya will continue: BJP Gorakhpur candidate Ravi Kishan

'Teesri baar Modi sarkaar': BJP's Bansuri Swaraj confident of win

'Teesri baar Modi sarkaar': BJP's Bansuri Swaraj confident of win

'Modi Ka Pariwar' in hearts of all Indians: K Madhavi Latha

'Modi Ka Pariwar' in hearts of all Indians: K Madhavi Latha

5 injured in crude bomb blast in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas

5 injured in crude bomb blast in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas

EC 'outrightly' rejects Jairam Ramesh's request for extra time to back claims

EC 'outrightly' rejects Jairam Ramesh's request for extra time to back claims

'Cannot spread a rumour..': CEC responds to Congress' Jairam Ramesh's allegations

'Cannot spread a rumour..': CEC responds to Congress' Jairam Ramesh's allegations

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar reacts to 'Laapata gentlemen' memes | Watch

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar reacts to 'Laapata gentlemen' memes | Watch

BJP plans mega event to mark 2024 Lok Sabha election victory: report

BJP plans mega event to mark 2024 Lok Sabha election victory: report

'Just wait and see': Sonia Gandhi on INDIA bloc's chances of winning 2024 Lok Sabha election

'Just wait and see': Sonia Gandhi on INDIA bloc's chances of winning 2024 Lok Sabha election

In rare move, EC to hold presser day before counting of votes

In rare move, EC to hold presser day before counting of votes

Kejriwal lists 'theories' behind exit poll: 'bid to prevent mutiny in BJP'

Kejriwal lists 'theories' behind exit poll: 'bid to prevent mutiny in BJP'

Count postal ballots before declaring EVM results: INDIA bloc to EC

Count postal ballots before declaring EVM results: INDIA bloc to EC

Sandeshkhali sees post-poll violence, Guv writes to Mamata

Sandeshkhali sees post-poll violence, Guv writes to Mamata

Arvind Kejriwal returns to Tihar Jail as interim bail ends

Arvind Kejriwal returns to Tihar Jail as interim bail ends

SKM sweeps assembly elections in Sikkim, wins 31 of 32 seats

SKM sweeps assembly elections in Sikkim, wins 31 of 32 seats

BJP wins Arunachal Pradesh assembly elections for third straight time

BJP wins Arunachal Pradesh assembly elections for third straight time

Watch: Rahul Gandhi slams exit polls, predicts these many seats for INDIA bloc

Watch: Rahul Gandhi slams exit polls, predicts these many seats for INDIA bloc

'Will shave off my head if...': AAP's Somnath Bharti's claim on exit polls predicting NDA win

'Will shave off my head if...': AAP's Somnath Bharti's claim on exit polls predicting NDA win

Sikkim-Arunachal Pradesh assembly polls: counting for votes begin amid heavy security

Sikkim-Arunachal Pradesh assembly polls: counting for votes begin amid heavy security

Lok Sabha elections 2024 exit polls: poll of polls predict big victory for Modi-led NDA

Lok Sabha elections 2024 exit polls: poll of polls predict big victory for Modi-led NDA

Pawan Khera calls exit poll 'source of entertainment', slams PM Modi for his tweet

Pawan Khera calls exit poll 'source of entertainment', slams PM Modi for his tweet

'Delusional politics': Hardeep Singh Puri slams Congress' 295 seats claim

'Delusional politics': Hardeep Singh Puri slams Congress' 295 seats claim

'Sarkari exit poll': Supriya Shrinate slams exit poll surveys predicting Modi sweep

'Sarkari exit poll': Supriya Shrinate slams exit poll surveys predicting Modi sweep

INDIA bloc will win at least 295 seats, Kharge asserts after opposition meet

INDIA bloc will win at least 295 seats, Kharge asserts after opposition meet

PM Modi ends his 45-hour long meditation, visits Tamil poet's statue

PM Modi ends his 45-hour long meditation, visits Tamil poet's statue

INDIA bloc meet underway to discuss strategy for counting day | Lok Sabha elections

INDIA bloc meet underway to discuss strategy for counting day | Lok Sabha elections

BJP leader sends ambulance for Kejriwal, says CM creating drama over health

BJP leader sends ambulance for Kejriwal, says CM creating drama over health

Lok Sabha polls final phase: voter turnout at 40.09% till 1 pm

Lok Sabha polls final phase: voter turnout at 40.09% till 1 pm

Pawan Khera responds to Amit Shah's 'denial mode' dig at party for skipping exit poll debates

Pawan Khera responds to Amit Shah's 'denial mode' dig at party for skipping exit poll debates

Sporadic incidents of violence mar final phase of voting in Bengal

Sporadic incidents of violence mar final phase of voting in Bengal

Watch: election underway at world's highest polling station- Tashigang

Watch: election underway at world's highest polling station- Tashigang

Seventh phase of voting: EVMs, VVPAT looted in West Bengal, thrown into pond

Seventh phase of voting: EVMs, VVPAT looted in West Bengal, thrown into pond

Editorji Technologies Pvt. Ltd. © 2022 All Rights Reserved.