Political Representation of Women in 21st Century: A Study of Bihar State Legislative Assembly

This paper examines the political representation of women in the 21st century, using the Bihar State Legislative Assembly as a case study. Although India has witnessed a significant increase in women's participation as both voters and campaigners, their presence in legislative bodies—at both national and state levels—and within political party hierarchies remains critically low. Our analysis identifies distinct factors influencing women's involvement as voters versus their roles as campaigners. The findings underscore the necessity of targeted interventions to correct this imbalance. We argue for implementing proactive measures, such as reserving legislative seats for women and ensuring their greater inclusion in decision-making positions within political parties and the government. These steps are crucial for addressing a fundamental disparity in the country's political landscape.