Shirin Rai on Gender Parity in the Indian Parliament

The 17th Lok Sabha has seventy-eight women MPs, the highest since independence. Has the increase in women’s participation been meaningful? What narratives of equality and citizenship have framed the issue of electoral representation? Do women MPs carry the burden of shifting welfare policy in a gender-sensitive direction? 

Episode Contributors

Professor Rai is a distinguished research professor of politics and international relations at SOAS, University of London. She is a fellow of the British Academy. In 2022, she was awarded the Distinguished Contribution Prize by the British International Studies Association for her contribution to the promotion of excellence in the discipline of international studies over a substantial period of time. 

--

 

Key Moments:

(0:00); Introduction

(2:11); Reflection on the newly built parliament building and its implications for society

(7:32); Analysis of the evolution of the Indian Parliament

(14:39); Examination of women's representation in Parliament throughout the years

(23:33); Discussing boardroom politics and advocating for women's participation in parliament

(31:26); Exploring whether women bear the burden of welfare and equality in this debate

(43:55); Comparison of women's reservation in parliament at different levels of governance

(50:27); Outro

 

Additional Reading

--

🎙️ Check out our podcast, Interpreting India, available now on YouTube, Spotify, Amazon Music, and iTunes!

--

Carnegie India Socials:

Every two weeks, Interpreting India brings you diverse voices from India and around the world to explore the critical questions shaping the nation's future. We delve into how technology, the economy, and foreign policy intertwine to influence India's relationship with the global stage.

As a Carnegie India production, hosted by Carnegie scholars, Interpreting India, a Carnegie India production, provides insightful perspectives and cutting-edge by tackling the defining questions that chart India's course through the next decade.

Stay tuned for thought-provoking discussions, expert insights, and a deeper understanding of India's place in the world.

Don't forget to subscribe, share, and leave a review to join the conversation and be part of Interpreting India's journey.