Abstract :
The Constitution of India is based on the
principles of equality and it guarantee equality before law
and equal protection to all citizens. It not only guarantees
fundamental rights and freedoms, but also prohibits
discrimination on the basis of religion, race, caste, sex, and
place of birth. However, these rights have remained de jure
and have not been translated into de facto rights. As such,
women have been denied social, economic, civil and
political rights in many spheres.
An important area where women have been
inadequately represented is in the political sphere. Articles
325 and 326 of the India Constitution guaranteed political
equality, equal right to participation in political activities
and right to vote respectively. While the latter has been
accessed, exercised and enjoyed by a large number of
women, the former i.e., right to equal political participation
is still a distant dream. Lack of space for participation in
political bodies has not only resulted in their presence in
meagre numbers in these decision making bodies but also
in the neglect of their issues and experiences in policy
making.
Keyword :
Self-Government, Women’s Reservation, Mahalir Thittam