Abstract

The participation of women in South Asian politics is much less than what we see in developed parts of the world, such as Europe or North America. Women make up close to half the population, but only a small numeric share of elected and public positions within government. The extension of voting rights has enhanced women’s capacity to vote, but has not resulted in an overall greater role for women in political leadership. Women’s underlying social and cultural identity, violence against women, lingering issues of religion, detailed expectations of customary law, and deep inequalities all combine to undermine women’s participation in politics. South Asian Countries still consider politics to be a male-centred area of society, with a small percentage of women reaching national parliaments and assemblies, often from established political families. The increasing engagement of women in local governance is gradually transforming the political behaviour in South Asia, especially among the forms of decentralisation, such as India’s Panchayati Raj. This paper reviews both the reduction of barriers and the opening of opportunities for women to engage politically in both civil society and local government, using empirical data and recent academic contributions. It aims to discuss the structural, cultural and institutional factors of representation for women, exploring possible ways forward. This study proposes that this form of progressive change could enhance democracy in South Asian nations, along with whether new opportunities to enhance women’s representation and participation will be incrementally or deliberately developed in the social systems of government.

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