As India strives to sustain its growth momentum, strengthen institutions, and build a robust governance framework, there is an urgent need to take a closer look at the long-pending issue of the under-representation of women in legislatures.
Women make up nearly half of India’s population, yet their representation in legislative bodies has historically been disproportionately low. As of 2026, women account for roughly 14 per cent of the Lok Sabha and about 17 per cent of the Rajya Sabha, while representation in State assemblies hovers around 10 per cent. This contrasts sharply with global benchmarks and underscores a structural democratic deficit.
Across the world, and increasingly in India, evidence shows that when women enter lawmaking spaces in meaningful numbers, governance outcomes improve and economies grow stronger. The question, therefore, is no longer whether women should be represented in legislatures, but how urgently systems must accelerate that transition.
Backed by evidence
The economic argument for women’s representation is strong and backed by evidence. Studies suggest that greater representation of women in policymaking correlates with improved outcomes in health, education and welfare, as well as stronger economic performance. These are not marginal gains but the foundation to long-term growth. (NCAER study).
From a macroeconomic perspective, women legislators tend to prioritise education, nutrition and healthcare, resulting in higher investment in water, sanitation and local infrastructure. Greater participation of women in lawmaking acts as a multiplier, amplifying both social welfare and economic productivity, besides strengthening institutional trust in the government.
One of the most successful democratic experiments demonstrating the transformative potential of women’s leadership is the reservation of seats for women in Panchayati Raj institutions and in urban local bodies. Women elected at the grassroots level across States have shaped outcomes in water management, school attendance, healthcare awareness, sanitation, and social welfare delivery. This local governance experience offers a clear lesson: when institutional barriers are lowered, women lead effectively and credibly.
The link between gender equality and GDP is well established. Political representation plays a catalytic role in closing gender gaps in labour force participation and leadership by shaping enabling policies, ranging from childcare and parental leave to financial inclusion and workplace safety. Women in lawmaking are not just beneficiaries of development; they are its architects.
So, in many ways, the passage of the Women’s Reservation Act, 2023 (Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam) would have marked a watershed moment. It had the potential to fundamentally reshape India’s political landscape by amplifying women’s participation in nation-building and economic transformation.
The country with aspirations to become a $5 trillion economy stands at a critical juncture. Achieving this goal will require investments in building resilient and inclusive institutions. Also required are investments to enhance the available human capital and significantly increase women’s labour force participation. Women lawmakers are uniquely positioned to drive these priorities, and their presence can accelerate reforms in critical areas such as skilling, entrepreneurship, digital inclusion and social infrastructure. All of which have direct economic payoffs.
Significant advances have been made towards empowering women and ensuring their greater participation in lawmaking and nation-building. The onus now is on ensuring a transformative outcome, as much depends on implementation and institutional support.
The writer is Secretary General, ASSOCHAM
Published on April 24, 2026