Women’s Political Representation in Bihar Elections (2025)

IN NEWS: Women’s Political Representation in Bihar Elections (2025)

Why Women’s Political Representation in Bihar Elections Is in News?

The 2025 Bihar Assembly elections recorded an unprecedented women voter turnout of over 71 percent. Despite this, the elections exposed a persistent and deep gender gap in political representation, as the number of women candidates and elected women legislators remained critically low.

What Is Women’s Political Representation?

Women’s political representation refers to the participation of women as electoral candidates and their presence in decision-making bodies such as legislatures. It goes beyond voting and focuses on women as policymakers rather than beneficiaries.

Key Data and Facts (As Reported)

Women voter turnout: Over 71%
Male voter turnout: 62.8%
Total women candidates (2025): 258
Total male candidates (2025): 2,357
Women candidates as percentage of total: 9.8% (lowest in 15 years)
Women candidates in 2020: 370 (9.9%)
Women elected in 2025: 28 out of 243 (11.5%)
Women MLAs in 2020: 26 (10.7%)
Highest representation: 34 women MLAs in 2010

Participation Without Representation: Gender Gap in Candidacy

Women voters outnumbered men in turnout but not in candidature.
Party-wise women candidates:
- NDA: 35 (14.40%)
- INDIA bloc: 32 (13.16%)
The 2025 election recorded the lowest share of women candidates in 15 years.

Politics of Ideas vs. Politics of Presence

Political parties emphasized welfare schemes to mobilize women voters.
Pre-poll cash transfers of ₹10,000 to over 10 million women reinforced a welfare-centric approach.
Women were positioned as recipients of policy benefits rather than policy-makers.

Women’s Representation in the Legislature

Women constituted only 11.5 percent of the Bihar Assembly in 2025.
Representation declined compared to previous elections and remains far below global norms.
A few women won from reserved SC seats, but these successes remain exceptions.

Structural Constraints Limiting Women’s Entry

Patriarchal party hierarchies and male-dominated leadership.
Limited access to campaign finance and political networks.
Persistent doubts over the “winnability” of women candidates.

Democratic Implications

High voter participation without representation risks symbolic inclusion.
Welfare-based mobilization does not translate into leadership opportunities.
Democratic legitimacy requires both participation and representation.

Way Forward

Ensure effective implementation of the 33 percent reservation for women in legislatures.
Reform party ticket distribution mechanisms.
Strengthen financial and institutional support for women candidates.
Shift political engagement from welfare delivery to leadership empowerment

Updated – 22 November 2025 ; 12:30 | Source: The Diplomat