GENDER QUOTAS - A CATALYST FOR POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN

The issue of Political Empowerment of Women has always been a much debated and discussed topic in the world. On an average women continue to be highly underrepresented in the political decision making. Women’s equal participation in political life plays an important role in the advancement of women. Without being properly represented in the political system, it becomes difficult for a group to influence in the policy-making. Greater the number, greater will be the power and influence. Hence the need of quota system arises. The implementation of quota system shows the general tendency of political parties to increase democracy and it illuminates those measure’s limitations in the face of persisting gender bias. This ultimately reveals that a shift in culture and policy reforms should run parallel to maximize institutional productivity and elevate the overall status of women sustainably. Despite the fact that quota system is in place and women land up in power, still women’s empowerment is not a guaranteed outcome. The paper tries to examine whether quotas act as a mechanism to increase, safeguard women’s presence in the political arena, arguments for and against quotas, and the type of quotas that are most efficient and ultimately has it actually made a difference in the political system.