Women Reservation Act 2023 in Manipur Politics

Women, since ancient time had been categorised as the helping hand of men. Manipur’s women have immensely contributed to shaping the present Manipur. Beginning from Nupi Lan, or the women’s war against British rule, to Meira Paibi, women are politically active. With the coming of the Women's Reservation Act 2023, the Meitei women will become more powerful. Manipur is famous for Ima Keithel, a women's market, women sports players will add another baton of political leaders. The 73rd and 74th amendments to the Constitution had already given leverage to women for more representation. Ironically, all was just on paper, still, women leaders rely on men. With this understanding, it is still vague to assume the Women Reservation Act 2023 will make women more empowered in the level of decision-making positions. The practicability of women becoming empowered solely lies in the effective implementation of the act. The act was purely on time limit since it is to be reviewed after 15 years in practice. Besides this, there is also an issue of implementing the act after delimitation. And the prevailing political unrest of Manipur, wherein people demand the implementation of the National Register of Citizens to check the influx of Myanmar and Bangladesh nationals, is also another factor. Another issue is that of the ‘Triple Test’ clearance requirement for the implementation of this act.