Haryana has a long history of low representation of women in its state assembly. Since the state was formed in 1966, only 87 women have been elected as MLAs. Of these, 47 were elected after the year 2000. Notably, Haryana has never had a woman chief minister. In the last assembly elections in 2019, 104 women contested, but only 9 won. In 2014, a record 13 out of 116 women candidates were elected.
While there have been some improvements in the child sex ratio in Haryana, with 885 females per 1,000 males reported in the latest survey, this is still below the national average of 933. Gender discrimination remains a concern, impacting the survival and development of girls in the state. In the upcoming elections on October 5, the ruling BJP has fielded 10 women candidates, while the Congress party has the highest number with 12 women candidates.
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A study from Ashoka University highlights ongoing concerns about women's representation in politics. Although more women are running for office, many elected women come from wealthy or influential families, which limits opportunities for other candidates. Notable women candidates in the current election include Vinesh Phogat, a wrestler running for Congress, and Arti Singh Rao, the daughter of a Union Minister.
Experts emphasize that the political landscape in Haryana is still heavily influenced by patriarchy. Many women struggle to win elections without strong political backing. In fact, since 2000, only one woman has won an election independently. As the state prepares for its next assembly election, the lack of diverse representation remains a significant issue that needs to be addressed for true gender equality in politics.
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