Assam’s 2024 Lok Sabha elections have seen a troubling decline in the number of women candidates. Only 12 female aspirants are contesting, down from 14 previously. This reduction is part of a larger trend since the 2014 polls, when there were 16 women candidates. The ruling BJP has fielded one woman candidate, while the Congress has nominated two. Among smaller parties, Gana Suraksha Party has fielded two women candidates, while other parties have given tickets to one each. Three independent women are also in the fray. Kaziranga leads with three women candidates, followed by Guwahati and Kokrajhar (ST) with two each. The remaining constituencies have one woman candidate each. This decline in women’s participation in electoral politics is a cause for concern and raises questions about the commitment of political parties to gender equality and the representation of diverse voices in the country’s decision-making bodies. It is essential that steps be taken to encourage and support women’s political participation and ensure their equal representation in all spheres of government and society.
Declining Number of Women Candidates in Assam’s Lok Sabha Elections
