While the Women’s Reservation Bill has been passed in Parliament, a look at the representation of women in the Karnataka Assembly over the years shows a bleak picture.
At 4.5% of the total strength of Assembly, Karnataka’s share of women representation is the sixth lowest in the country. In fact, it is the lowest among the Southern States’ share of MLAs in their Legislative Assemblies. While Andhra Pradesh has 8%, Kerala follows with 7.9%. The share of Tamil Nadu and Telangana is almost the same at 5.1% and 5%, respectively, according to data.
Women representation appeared to have been far better in the first two elections in 1957 and 1962, with 13 and 18 elected, respectively. Women representation remained in the single digit since 1967, except in 1989, 2018, and 2023 when 10 women were elected each.
