A study of Women’s role in political parties in East and West Telangana

Achieving gender equality and promoting inclusive development have long been seen as preconditions for women's political participation. In every part of the globe, women have been the driving force behind progressive change, social justice movements, and political landscapes. Nevertheless, there is still a lack of equality in their engagement in political processes, which is often limited by economic, cultural, and institutional hurdles. The status of women in politics in India, a nation with a long history of democratic rule, has been the focus of both successes and failures. [1]

In India, women's suffrage was granted in 1950 and, in 1992, with the historic 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments, 33% of seats in local government bodies were reserved for women. These were significant moments in the history of women's political empowerment. Especially in panchayats and municipalities, this legislative action greatly increased the number of women serving on grassroots committees. However, women's political engagement has been weaker on a national and state level. There has been a marked uptick in the number of women running for office and holding positions of leadership, but they are still grossly underrepresented in positions of power. [2]

One of the most important ways that women may be involved in government is by joining political parties. To run for office, shape public policy, and advocate for marginalized groups, most people join political parties, which act as a stepping stone to other forms of political participation. But women in India have been underrepresented in these parties and have had few positions of power. Even while many political parties talk a good game about gender equality, in practice, women's representation in leadership roles and decision-making is frequently superficial. In various regional settings like Telangana, there has to be a more concentrated consideration of women's participation in political parties due to their underrepresentation. [3]

Because of its different socio-cultural and political dynamics, the Indian state of Telangana provides a unique perspective from which to study the political roles of women. Regional parties, grassroots movements, and an increasing focus on social justice define Telangana's dynamic political scene since the state was formed in 2014 after decades of fight for statehood. In this setting, women's political responsibilities have grown in importance, particularly in relation to the focus on their contributions to development and governance. But we still need to look more closely at how involved they are, especially within political parties. [4]

For a comparative study of women's political engagement, the regions of East and West Telangana provide an intriguing framework. The western areas of Telangana have a more conventional and agricultural socioeconomic structure, in contrast to the eastern regions which are renowned for their comparatively higher educational and socioeconomic indices.  The chances and problems that women face while trying to become involved with political parties vary depending on where they live. Patterns, obstacles, and enabling variables that impact women's involvement in politics may be better understood by analyzing these locations. [5]

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Congress, and Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) are among the Telangana political groups that have attempted to recruit women, albeit their level of dedication differs greatly. [6] Despite the TRS's claims to be an advocate for inclusive development, women still find themselves underrepresented at the highest levels of party leadership. Similarly, the Congress party's track record of backing female state leaders in India is uneven, given the party's lengthy history in the country's politics. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has prioritized ideological mobilization, which included women-centric programming; nevertheless, the extent to which this has empowered women inside the party's hierarchy is open to debate. [7]

It is necessary to examine quantitative and qualitative aspects in order to comprehend the role of women in various political groups. Looking at the percentage of women in party posts, running for office, and holding leadership positions is a quantitative way to approach this. [8] From a qualitative perspective, it means delving into how female party leaders shape party policy, rally support, and overcome obstacles within male-dominated systems. In addition to illuminating the current situation of women's political empowerment in Telangana, this kind of study brings attention to larger concerns related to gender and power in Indian politics. [9]

The complex web of social, cultural, and political influences on women's political participation in East and West Telangana is worth delving into more. For example, women may find a more welcoming atmosphere for political engagement in the eastern districts, which prioritize urbanization and education. Western regions, on the other hand, may provide more obstacles for women seeking political office due to their traditional social mores and lack of economic prospects. The need for targeted approaches to increase women's representation in political parties and government is highlighted by these geographical differences. [10]

Examining women's political empowerment in East and West Telangana, this research uses a secondary data-based method. In order to examine women's involvement and representation in political parties and decision-making processes, the technique involves a thorough examination of current literature, statistical data, and historical records. Reports from the government, records from parliament, and constitutional provisions like the 73rd and 74th Amendments, which guarantee female representation in local government, are some of the sources.

Furthermore, case studies, essays, and research papers provide light on the political and social obstacles and possibilities for women's empowerment. Electoral commission data, including as information on women's participation in Lok Sabha and state assembly elections, is also used in the research to see patterns and where there are gaps in representation. Global best practices in politically empowering women have been contextualized via a study of reports from international organizations like the UN and NGOs that work on gender equality.

Between the two areas of Telangana, East and West, there is a huge disparity in the degree to which women participate in political processes. Despite the fact that the state of Telangana as a whole has seen an increase in the number of women participating in political activities, the inequalities in involvement may be linked to a variety of sociopolitical and cultural variables that have an impact on the different roles that women play. In this section, we will examine the differences and similarities between East and West Telangana with regard to the level of participation of women in political parties, governance, and leadership positions. In addition to this, we will investigate the cultural and political disparities that exist across regions, which have a significant part in determining the roles and contributions that women play in these two sectors.

Variations in Women’s Participation Between East and West Telangana

East Telangana has a substantially larger presence of women in leadership roles compared to West Telangana. This is one of the ways in which the engagement of women in politics in Telangana varies from area to region. The manner in which women participate in political processes in different areas is influenced by a variety of socio-economic variables, including historical, cultural, and political settings. This discrepancy may be traced to many of these reasons.

East Telangana, which is comprised of districts like as Khammam, Warangal, and Nalgonda, has seen a greater degree of female engagement in political processes. This is especially obvious in the context of the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) party, which has made persistent attempts to draw women into the political fold, particularly following the establishment of the state. They have been successful in doing so. Particularly in East Telangana, women such as Kavitha K, who is the daughter of Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao, have played key roles in the politics and leadership of their respective parties. The political influence of Kavitha has resulted in the formation of policies that are geared toward the welfare of women. These policies include the Kalyana Lakshmi Scheme and the Mission Kakatiya Program, both of which are centered on the empowerment of women by providing them with access to water and economic assistance.

West Telangana, on the other hand, which includes districts like as Karimnagar, Adilabad, and Nizamabad, has had a slower rate of integrating women into political responsibilities. On the whole, women in this area are largely involved in the administration of their communities, although their representation in higher governmental posts is still quite low. There is a mix of traditional patriarchal norms and lower literacy rates among women in West Telangana, both of which have an impact on the level of political engagement in the region. There have been women candidates running for local elections for both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress party; nevertheless, both parties have not made significant headway in enabling women leaders from this area to take up posts at the state level.

This disparity in women's political engagement is a reflection of deeper socio-economic contrasts between the areas. East Telangana has a better established infrastructure for women's empowerment, partly as a result of the focused efforts for women that the state government has implemented.

Regional Cultural and Political Differences Affecting Women’s Roles

There are significant cultural and political variations between East and West Telangana, and these disparities have a significant effect in determining the degree to which women participate in political processes. The historical progress and political landscapes of both areas may be traced back to the origins of these distinctions.

Influences Relating to Culture: A large amount of urbanization can be seen in East Telangana, notably in places like as Warangal and Khammam, where the percentage of women who have completed higher levels of education is much greater. A greater number of women have participated in local and state elections in these cities, which has been a significant factor in the growth of political consciousness among women. East Telangana also has a long and illustrious history of social movements, many of which have often involved significant involvement from women. One such movement that witnessed a considerable number of women activists was the Telangana movement, which advocated for the establishment of a new state. Numerous women have entered the political arena as a result of the impact of groups like these.

On the other hand, West Telangana is characterized by a greater focus on agricultural life, as well as a more rural and traditional orientation. Cultural factors such as the predominance of rural work and traditional family structures contribute to the fact that women's engagement in politics is less evident than it had been in the past. In these communities, the role of women is often limited to activities that take place inside the home, and political participation is seen to be a domain that is controlled by males. Moreover, women's participation in politics is further hampered by the fact that rural regions have a greater rate of discrimination based on gender and a lower rate of access to educational opportunities.

The TRS party has made stronger inroads into women's engagement in politics, especially in East Telangana, where the welfare initiatives for women initiated by the state government have had a greater effect. This is one of the political differences between the two parties. East Telangana has had a great deal of success with programs such as Kalyana Lakshmi and Shaadi Mubarak, which support the weddings of girls who come from economically challenged households by providing financial aid. As women in the area look up to them as role models, the leadership of female politicians like K. Kavitha has also played a part in contributing to this trend.

The political structures of West Telangana, on the other hand, continue to exert a significant amount of power. Parties such as the Congress and the BJP have a restricted number of women who hold positions of authority within their ranks. Elections at the municipal level are the most common place for women to participate, while male politicians are more likely to hold positions of authority. Due to the continued existence of patriarchal standards and the absence of infrastructure for women's political education, this area, which has not seen the same level of political revolution as East Telangana, is confronted with difficulties in empowering women.

Table 1: Comparative Analysis of Women in Political Positions Across Regions

A comparison of the political engagement of women in East and West Telangana demonstrates that regional variations, both cultural and political, have a key influence in determining the political environment for women. This is the conclusion reached by the analysis of the comparative study. Because of its more advanced infrastructure and its long-standing tradition of encouraging female engagement, East Telangana has seen an increase in the number of women who have taken on leadership positions and who have benefited from state welfare programs. On the other side, West Telangana is still struggling with societal systems that are more traditional and with lower levels of political involvement from women. In the future, the task will be to overcome these disparities by encouraging more women from rural and traditional regions to participate in political processes, making sure that their opinions are heard, and recognizing the achievements that they have made. In order to achieve more gender equality in politics, the political parties of the state must continue to adapt to the varied requirements of women in both areas. They must provide women with the appropriate assistance, education, and chances for leadership.

Figure 1: Pie chart or bar graph showing women’s participation trends in Telangana

When it comes to women's engagement in politics, especially in a state like Telangana, the general rhetoric of gender equality and political empowerment serves as the foundation for the theory that underpins this phenomenon. Through the course of history, political institutions have been controlled by males, and women have often been barred from areas where decisions are made. On the other hand, the growing number of women actively participating in political parties in Telangana is indicative of a shifting dynamic in which gender is becoming an increasingly important issue in governance. One may get an understanding of the increasing political engagement of women in Telangana by considering the legislative frameworks as well as the sociological developments that are taking place. Legally speaking, the 33% quota for women in Panchayat Raj institutions has considerably increased their engagement at the grassroots level. This has resulted in women gaining political experience, which in turn enables them advance to higher political posts.

Women's participation in political activities was also significantly influenced by social movements in Telangana, particularly the Telangana statehood movement. These movements played a significant role in encouraging women to take part in political activities, where they played active roles in campaigning for justice and equality. Additionally, the TRS administration has emphasized women's economic empowerment via the implementation of welfare programs such as Kalyana Lakshmi and Shaadi Mubarak. This has resulted in an increase in the visibility of women in the political realm. The increase in women's representation is also reflective of changing attitudes in Telangana society, where education and urbanization have paved the way for more women to participate in politics, although challenges remain in rural and underdeveloped regions. Therefore, despite the fact that the process of achieving gender equality in politics is still in progress, the women of Telangana have been exerting a growing amount of influence in governance, demonstrating that political engagement is essential for societal transformation.

Research comparing the political participation of women in East and West Telangana shows large gaps in participation. The 73rd and 74th Amendments to the Constitution have increased women's engagement in grassroots politics, but they still don't make up nearly enough of the political leadership in major parties. The level of women's participation in leadership and decision-making positions is still impacted by socio-economic considerations, cultural norms, and party structures. West Telangana has long-standing patriarchal norms that restrict women's participation in party leadership, in contrast to East Telangana's more educated and urbanised populations, which have led to comparatively more female political involvement in the area. The research points to specific actions, such mentoring programs for women in politics, gender quotas in political parties, and more funding for female candidates, as crucial to closing the gender gap. Also, instead of just having women on the sidelines, political parties should be pushing for their elevation to leadership positions. The only way for women to feel really empowered in political parties is for them to have equal opportunities to run for office, hold leadership positions, and make policy decisions. To ensure that women's perspectives are not only heard but actively impact governance and policy-making, a gender-inclusive political environment in Telangana may set an example for larger national changes.