India’s Three-Tier Democratic Framework
Speaking on the theme “Women’s Contribution to India’s Three-Tier System of Governance,” Shri Harivansh explained that India’s democratic structure rests on vertical power-sharing among the Union, States, and grassroots institutions. This framework, he noted, has gained global relevance due to the constitutional and institutional inclusion of women, particularly at the local level.
He emphasised that women’s participation has enhanced democratic legitimacy and governance quality, drawing from India’s
lived experience across diverse social and cultural contexts. According to him, women’s engagement in governance is not a recent phenomenon but is deeply rooted in India’s civilisational ethos of collective decision-making.
Historical Roots of Women’s Political Participation
Tracing India’s constitutional journey, the Deputy Chairman noted that women were enfranchised in several provinces as early as the 1920s, well before Independence. With the adoption of universal adult franchise in 1950, India ensured political equality from the very birth of the Republic, a step he described as bold and progressive for its time.
This commitment was further deepened through the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments in the early 1990s, which mandated one-third reservation for women in rural and urban local bodies. Over the years, many States have enhanced this to 50 per cent reservation, significantly expanding women’s presence in grassroots governance.
World’s Largest Experiment in Women’s Representation
Referring to observations made by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Shri Harivansh highlighted that nearly 1.5 million women currently serve as elected representatives in local self-governing institutions. He described this as the largest experiment in women’s political representation anywhere in the world.
For many women, especially from rural and marginalised communities, local bodies serve as the first entry point into public life. This unprecedented scale of participation, he said, has begun translating into tangible improvements in governance quality.
Improved Transparency and Accountability
Citing studies and field experience, the Deputy Chairman noted that women-led local bodies consistently demonstrate higher levels of transparency, closer monitoring of public works, and stronger accountability mechanisms. Their close engagement with communities often reduces leakages and ensures that government schemes reach intended beneficiaries.
Women leaders, he observed, tend to prioritise issues such as drinking water, sanitation, primary healthcare, education, nutrition, and social welfare delivery areas that directly impact everyday lives.
From Women’s Development to Women-Led Development
Shri Harivansh pointed out that as women’s participation has increased across all three tiers of governance, India has witnessed a shift from women’s development to women-led development. This transition, he said, reflects growing trust in women’s leadership capabilities and their role in shaping policy outcomes.
Women’s leadership at the grassroots has also challenged traditional gender roles and created a pipeline of experienced leaders who move on to State Legislatures and Parliament. Many have gone on to serve as Ministers, Speakers, Chief Ministers, and Presiding Officers.
33% Reservation in Parliament: A Constitutional Milestone
Referring to recent constitutional reforms, the Deputy Chairman described the passage of the 106th Constitutional Amendment, the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, as a landmark step. The provision of 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies, he said, reaffirms India’s long-term commitment to gender balance in parliamentary representation.
Summarising key lessons, Shri Harivansh noted that local governance provides a sustainable entry point for women’s leadership, that diversity and scale are not barriers to inclusion, and that women’s leadership improves governance outcomes rather than merely representation statistics.
