ELECTIONS AND WOMEN CARD
The general elections , democracy’s biggest festival is set to roll out this year. Although there has been increase in participation of women in elections but when we talk about political equality, the scenario is entirely different. India ranks 153 out of 190 countries in terms of percentage representation of women in lower house of parliament which is even below Pakistan. Rwanda stands at the top of the table with 61% representatives as women. When we talk about equality of sexes, equal and quality representation should be there in political arena which can be brought about by bringing a constitutional amendment in parliament similar to 74 th and 75 th CA which provided for 1/3 rd reservation of seats at local level. This can be done in harmony and by co-operation from the leading government as well as opposition side. Steps have been recently taken by some regional parties such as BijuJanta Dal in Odisha and Trinamool Congress in West Bengal reserving 33%