New Delhi, January 16, 2026 — Hon’ble Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha, Shri Harivansh, highlighted India’s transformative journey of women’s leadership across all three tiers of governance during the Lightning Round Session of the 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC) held in New Delhi. Speaking on the theme “Women’s Contribution to India’s Three-Tier System of Governance”, he underlined that women’s participation has not only enhanced representation but has tangibly improved governance outcomes.
India’s Democratic Framework Enables Inclusive Leadership
Addressing international delegates, Shri Harivansh explained that India’s governance structure — comprising Parliament, State Legislatures, and Local Self-Government institutions — is rooted in vertical power-sharing and inclusive constitutional design. He noted that this framework has gained global relevance due to its sustained institutional inclusion of women, particularly at the grassroots level.
He observed that India’s tradition of participatory decision-making and collective leadership has deep civilisational roots, where women have historically played meaningful roles in deliberative spaces.
Historical Foundations of Women’s Political Participation
Tracing India’s constitutional evolution, the Deputy Chairman noted that women gained voting rights 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 inception of the Republic.
He further highlighted the significance of the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments in the 1990s, which mandated one-third reservation for women in rural and urban local bodies. Today, over two-thirds of States provide 50 per cent reservation in Panchayati Raj institutions, reflecting the deepening of India’s commitment to gender equity.
World’s Largest Experiment in Women’s Political Representation
Quoting observations by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Shri Harivansh noted that nearly 1.5 million women currently serve as elected representatives in local self-governing bodies — making this the largest democratic experiment in women’s political participation anywhere in the world.
For many women, especially from rural and marginalised backgrounds, local governance has become the first entry point into public life. This unprecedented scale of participation, he said, is now translating into measurable improvements in governance quality.
Women-Led Governance Improves Transparency and Accountability
The Deputy Chairman emphasized that studies and field evidence consistently show that women-led local bodies demonstrate higher transparency, stronger accountability, and closer monitoring of public services. Their community-centric approach often reduces leakages and ensures that welfare schemes reach intended beneficiaries more effectively.
He noted that women leaders have prioritised essential development issues such as drinking water, sanitation, healthcare, education, nutrition, and social welfare — reinforcing the shift from women’s development to women-led development.
From Local Leadership to National Representation
Shri Harivansh observed that women’s participation at the grassroots has helped challenge traditional gender roles and created a strong pipeline of experienced leaders. Many have progressed to become Ministers, Speakers, Chief Ministers, and constitutional authorities at the state and national levels.
He highlighted the historic passage of the 106th Constitutional Amendment (Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam), which provides 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies, calling it a reaffirmation of India’s long-term commitment to gender-balanced representation.
Conclusion
Summing up India’s experience, Shri Harivansh stated that inclusive governance strengthens democracy, women’s leadership improves outcomes beyond symbolic representation, and local governance remains the most sustainable entry point for empowering women leaders. For the Commonwealth nations, he said, India’s journey reinforces the belief that strong democracies are built when women participate equally in governance.
For more real-time updates, visit Channel 6 Network.
Source: PIB
