33%

2011

After decades of campaigning, India has reserved 33% of seats for women in local governments (Panchayats).

Since 1992, campaigners have lobbied to reserve 33% of seats for women in the national Parliament and state assemblies. The 33% reservation is a major step to increase women's political representation, but its implementation in Parliament and state legislatures will begin after new constituency boundaries are determined.

Exactly 30 years back, the parliament amended the constitution to reserve 33% seats for women in village councils and municipal corporations in urban areas.

A similar bill to reserve seats in the parliament and state assemblies was first proposed in 1996 by the then federal government, led by Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda. It was reintroduced in parliament in 1998, 1999 and again in 2008. While the need to have more women in position of political power in India has been keenly debated for decades, the gender composition of India's parliament and state assemblies is unlikely to change anytime soon.

Produced: 2011