Sabhya, Sassy, Saree: Female Politicians in India

The people of India were given the Women’s Reservation Act, 2023. As the government FINALLY realised the importance of “Naari Shakti”, female politicians stepped up to lead the charge. We just had to wait a little longer than him.

I say, Why not?? In India, there is a need for female politicians.
1. They balance political participation with fair administrative practices.
2. They expand women’s participation to include more women in developmental drives. More (wo) manpower, more power to the man.
3. They reduce gender parity & social verboten. Why do boys have all the fun?
4. They help in developing cultural circuits in the country.
5. They demonstrate more humanitarian qualities or work for more welfare.

Some badass, famous female politicians were always there to make this country see what powerful women can do in politics.

India’s Top Female Politicians

Indira Gandhi

One of India’s strongest female politicians and the second longest-serving Prime Minister, she is hailed as the country’s only female Prime Minister. Dedicated to the poverty-stricken people of India, her slogan “Gareebi Hatao” trended in the 1970s. Strong-witted Indira Gandhi proved her strength with many revolutionary policies. The enforcement of the Land Ceiling Act, the abolition of privy purses, poverty eradication programmes, the implementation of the Green Revolution, the 20-point programme, the abolition of bonded labour, etc. were her pin programmes. She is also in the hearts of Indians for her leadership during India’s decisive victory in the Indo-Pakistan War of 1971.

Pratibha Patil

Called the “Angel of Mercy,” the first woman President of India acquitted many death sentences under the special rights of the President provided by the Constitution of India. She was also famous for her generous expansion on social, educational, and healthcare grounds.

Sonia Gandhi

She is addressed as one of the most famous female politicians and influential leaders in the world by elite magazines like Forbes, British Magazine, etc. She motivated women’s participation in Indian politics on local levels as well. Rest, she is a wizard at convincing people from time to time who the real boss is!!!

Sheila Dixit

She was the longest-serving CM in Delhi. Sheila Dixit, credited with modernising, transforming, and developing infrastructure in Delhi, holds the record for being the longest-serving woman Chief Minister of any Indian state. She pioneered the launch of the “181” helpline for distressed women and “Sakshi” centres for domestic violence victims.

Supriya Sule

Recently, a Member of Parliament from the Baramati Constituency (MH) has become embroiled in a nepotism controversy. However, her state-level campaign against female foeticide has brought her renown. She has also formed the Rashtravadi Yuvati Congress to provide a platform for women in Indian politics. Rising star…..

Priyanka Gandhi

She belongs to the politically notable Nehru-Gandhi family, being the daughter of former Prime Ministers Rajiv Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi. The Congress Party fought the 2022 Uttar Pradesh Assembly Elections under her leadership. She managed to campaign for the said elections single-handedly. She is working for women’s upliftment under party lines.

Smriti Irani

A former actress and TV producer turned Indian politician, she’s a news favourite and serves as the Minister of Women and Child Development and Minister of Minority Affairs. Irani launched the GIAN initiative, Udaan & Pragati Yojana, for more enrolment of girls in engineering colleges. She also established a committee on gender budgeting, made amendments to the POCSO Act, 2019, increased the quota for Hajj Trip for Muslims in India, etc.

Vasundhara Raje

She is a senior leader in the BJP who served as Chief Minister of Rajasthan twice. During her tenure, she notably worked for the infrastructure of Rajasthan and took various initiatives towards strengthening women in rural Rajasthan. She earned the United Nations’ Women Together Award in 2007 for promoting self-help groups and establishing microcredit programmes.

Jayalalitha

Brand Amma Prominent actress turned politician Jayalalitha served as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for more than 14 years and emerged as the sole leader of the AIADMK. Her maiden speech, “Pennin Perumai” (The Greatness of a Woman), was well received and widely acclaimed. She worked intensively to curb female infanticide and established women-oriented public offices. For its economic development, she established major foreign motor giants like Ford Motor, Hyundai Motor, BMW, Nissan, etc. in Tamil Nadu.

Mayawati

Having a great mark in Uttar Pradesh politics, this “Iron Lady” is a longtime political leader from the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and served as Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. She is greatly famous for improving the lives of “Dalits.” She has worked a great deal on social justice and land reform.

Mamta Banerjee

This controversial Chief Minister of West Bengal has served many times as Union Cabinet Minister. “Didi” is responsible for rooting out the tyrant-left government in West Bengal and for administerial reforms in the state. She is also a self-taught painter, writer, and poet.

Draupadi Murmu

The first “Adivasi” President of India is currently in power. She is known for her efforts for tribal welfare, educating tribal communities, preserving tribal culture and heritage, and promoting health care facilities.

Sushma Swaraj

Swaraj, an inspiration for women in leadership positions in India, was elected many times as a Member of Parliament and Member of the Legislative Assembly. During her tenure as the Minister of External Affairs, she earned the most love for her work. She took the Women Political Leaders’ fan following to another level in 2018. Her Twitter followers count crossed the 11 million horizon.

Nirmala Sitaraman

She is the current Finance Minister of India and the first Finance Minister to present the Budget six times in a row. She has been doing transformative work in progressing India’s economy, like introducing the CGST (Amendment) Bill, holding GST Council Meetings, focusing on flagship schemes of the Indian Government for aiding financial inclusion, introducing new Income Tax slabs, amalgamation public Public Sector banks, etc.

Although many powerful women are in leadership positions in Indian politics, working remarkably, we still hope for equal or better participation and success for the future female politicians of India, who should be aiming at defining, establishing, and defending equal socio-political rights and opportunities.