Author: Sorvi Mahajan, a student at Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies [NMIMS]
To the point
Despite decades of international commitments and increasing global awareness, women continue to be significantly underrepresented in political leadership roles worldwide. Persistent legal, structural, and sociocultural barriers hinder women’s full participation in politics, limiting their influence and visibility in decision-making processes. While recent reforms—such as gender quotas and targeted policy initiatives—have contributed to gradual progress, ongoing challenges remain deeply embedded within societal norms and institutional frameworks. As the landscape of governance evolves, achieving true gender equality in political representation demands sustained efforts to dismantle these barriers and promote inclusive, equitable participation for women at all levels of government.
Nevertheless, progress has been made through the adoption of gender quotas, legal reforms, and integrated support programs. Countries that have implemented effective quotas and supportive policies have witnessed notable increases in women’s political representation, resulting in more inclusive and responsive governance. These advancements demonstrate the positive impact of intentional policy measures. However, progress remains uneven across regions, and significant obstacles persist. Ongoing efforts are required to enforce legal safeguards, address violence and harassment against women in politics, and provide the necessary economic and structural support to enable women’s participation.
Ultimately, achieving true gender parity in politics requires more than just policy reforms—it demands sustained political will, cultural transformation, and a comprehensive commitment to removing the remaining barriers to women’s full participation. Only through such holistic and persistent efforts can societies realize the benefits of diverse and representative governance.
Abstract
Women’s political participation has long been constrained by a complex web of legal, structural, and sociocultural barriers, despite decades of international commitments to gender equality. Discriminatory laws, entrenched gender stereotypes, and institutional resistance within political parties continue to limit women’s access to leadership roles and decision-making processes. The challenges are compounded by economic obstacles, such as limited access to campaign financing and resources, as well as pervasive gender-based violence and harassment—both offline and online—that discourage women from entering or remaining in political life. These barriers are especially pronounced in developing countries, where women may also face additional hurdles like lower educational attainment and poverty.
Progress towards equal representation has been made through legal reforms, gender quotas, and targeted support programs. Countries that have implemented effective quotas and supportive policies have seen measurable increases in women’s representation in parliaments and other political institutions, leading to more inclusive governance. However, the impact of these measures remains uneven globally, with only a handful of countries achieving gender parity in their legislatures and many others lagging far behind. Achieving true gender equality in politics requires not only robust legal frameworks but also sustained political will, cultural transformation, and comprehensive efforts to address violence, enforce legal safeguards, and provide economic and structural support for women candidates. Balancing legal advances with practical, on-the-ground support is essential to ensure that progress toward equal representation is both meaningful and lasting.
Use of legal jargon
Women’s pursuit of political leadership has evolved from a marginal struggle to a defining challenge for modern democracies, marked by both remarkable gains and persistent setbacks. Over the past several decades, legal reforms, gender quotas, and advocacy have propelled women into parliaments and cabinets at rates once thought unattainable—yet, as of 2025, women still comprise only 27.2% of parliamentarians and less than a quarter of cabinet ministers globally. While a handful of countries, such as Mexico and Rwanda, have achieved or neared gender parity, most nations lag far behind, with progress slowing and even reversing in some regions. The underrepresentation of women is not merely a matter of numbers: men continue to dominate powerful portfolios like finance, defense, and foreign affairs, while women are more often assigned to social and equality roles.
This uneven progress is rooted in a complex web of legal, structural, and sociocultural barriers. Discriminatory laws, limited access to campaign finance, and entrenched gender norms continue to block women’s path to power, while violence and harassment—both online and offline—further deter participation. Even as quotas and legal mandates have proven effective in boosting women’s representation, their impact is highly dependent on enforcement and broader institutional support. The journey toward equal representation is further complicated by regional disparities: while some European and Latin American countries have seen significant gains, others have stagnated or regressed, illustrating that legal change alone is insufficient without sustained political will and cultural transformation.
The story of women in politics stands as both a testament to progress and a warning against complacency. As legal frameworks expand and more women ascend to leadership, the integrity of democratic institutions depends on continued vigilance, robust enforcement of equality measures, and a commitment to dismantling the remaining barriers. Only by ensuring that women from all backgrounds can participate fully and influence policy at every level can societies realize the promise of truly representative governance.
The proof
The trajectory of women’s participation in politics reflects a dramatic and hard-fought evolution—from a marginalized struggle for basic rights to a central pillar of the global movement for democratic legitimacy and social justice. For decades, the promise of equal representation was championed as visionary, with international conventions, gender quotas, and legal reforms heralded as catalysts for a more inclusive and responsive political order. Early successes in some countries fueled optimism that the barriers holding women back—discriminatory laws, entrenched stereotypes, and exclusion from party structures—could be systematically dismantled, paving the way for a new era of gender-balanced leadership.
Yet, beneath the surface of this progress, a complex web of persistent challenges and unintended consequences has endured. As women gained greater visibility in parliaments and cabinets, concerns emerged about the superficiality of some reforms, the slow pace of cultural change, and the resilience of institutional biases. The symbolic presence of women in politics often failed to translate into real power, with many still relegated to less influential portfolios or facing violence, harassment, and economic barriers that stifle their voices. Moreover, the uneven implementation of legal mandates and quotas across different countries and regions exposed stark disparities, threatening to entrench rather than erode existing inequalities in political participation.
Governments, advocacy groups, and international organizations have responded by intensifying scrutiny of political systems and demanding more robust enforcement of equality measures. Investigations and research have highlighted the need for comprehensive strategies that go beyond legal reforms—calling for cultural transformation, economic empowerment, and protection against gender-based violence. The ongoing journey toward equal representation in politics serves as a powerful reminder that progress, if left unguarded, can stall or even reverse. The wave of reforms and renewed activism has begun to reshape the contours of political participation, but the story is far from over. Achieving true gender parity demands unwavering vigilance, adaptability, and a steadfast commitment to justice, ensuring that the pursuit of equality is not reduced to mere symbolism but becomes a lived reality for women everywhere.
Case laws
- Vishaka & Ors. v. State of Rajasthan (1997)
Though primarily focused on workplace sexual harassment, this case had far-reaching implications for women’s participation in public life, including politics. The Supreme Court issued the Vishaka Guidelines, recognizing sexual harassment as a violation of women’s constitutional rights to equality and dignity. By mandating safe working environments, the judgment addressed a major barrier that discouraged women from entering and remaining in public and political spheres. - CB Muthamma v. Union of India (1979)
This Supreme Court case addressed gender discrimination in the Indian Foreign Service. C.B. Muthamma, the first woman to join the service, challenged rules that restricted women’s eligibility for promotion and imposed marriage-related conditions. The Court held that such discriminatory rules violated constitutional guarantees of equality under Articles 14 and 16, setting a precedent for challenging gender-based barriers in public service and paving the way for greater participation of women in government roles. - Secretary, Ministry of Defence v. Babita Puniya & Ors. (2020)
In this landmark judgment, the Supreme Court ruled that women officers in the Indian Army are entitled to Permanent Commissions on par with their male counterparts. The Court struck down policies that limited women to short service commissions and excluded them from command positions, affirming that such distinctions were indefensible and violated the right to equality. This decision marked a crucial step toward breaking structural barriers for women in leadership roles within the armed forces, a key aspect of public and political life.
Conclusion
While legal reforms and gender quotas have paved the way for greater inclusion, women in politics still face a complex mix of legal, structural, and cultural barriers. Discriminatory laws, lack of enforcement, and persistent gender stereotypes continue to limit women’s opportunities to participate fully in political life. Even where progressive judgments and policies exist, their effectiveness often depends on consistent implementation and genuine political commitment.
To achieve true gender equality in political representation, efforts must go beyond passing new laws. It is essential to address institutional biases, provide adequate resources and support for women candidates, and foster a political environment that champions diversity and inclusion. Only by combining strong legal protections with practical measures to overcome social and economic barriers can societies ensure that women have an equal voice in shaping public policy and governance. The path to equal representation is ongoing, requiring continuous advocacy, legal vigilance, and a shared commitment to justice and fairness in politics.
FAQS
- How do harmful social norms and stereotypes affect women’s political participation?
Harmful gender norms and stereotypes perpetuate the idea that women are less legitimate or capable leaders than men. This leads to discrimination, gender-based violence, and psychological harassment against women in politics, which discourages their participation and leadership. - What forms of violence and harassment do women in politics face?
Women politicians frequently encounter psychological violence, sexual harassment, economic violence (such as denial of resources), and online abuse including threats of death and rape. Such harassment often occurs within political institutions, communities, and even at home, creating a hostile environment for women leaders. - How do financial barriers affect women’s political participation?
Women generally have fewer financial resources than men, which limits their ability to afford campaign costs, registration fees, and access political networks. Economic dependency is a root cause of political disparity, making it harder for women to run for office and sustain political careers. - What solutions exist to overcome barriers to women’s political participation?
Solutions include legislative reforms to ensure fair access, capacity-building programs for women candidates, voter education campaigns, advocacy for gender equality in political parties, and measures to prevent electoral violence against women. Promoting economic autonomy for women is also key to lowering entry barriers. - Are there differences in perceptions about obstacles to women in politics?
Yes, perceptions vary by gender and political affiliation. Women and Democrats are more likely to view discrimination, lack of support, and harassment as major obstacles, while men and Republicans more often cite women’s lower interest in political office as a reason for underrepresentation.
