Women Reservation Act, 2023: A Critical Analysis of Progress and Pitfalls

Passed in 2023, the Women Reservation Act hopes to be another landmark on India's path toward gender equality in political representation. This reservation bill aims to reserve 33% of seats for women in the Lok Sabha (the lower house of Parliament) and state legislative assemblies. The Act is noted as a progressive step toward women's empowerment and progress in making their voices heard in the political arena; however, some critics find it half-hearted as it may not address the systemic barriers women face in politics. In this blog, the implications of the Women Reservation Act are addressed by gauging the historical context, prospective benefits, objections, and the general societal impact.