Representation of women in the Lok Sabha

• Representation of women in the Lok Sabha has increased significantly since the first parliamentary election in 1952.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

• In the first Lok Sabha, there were 22 women MPs out of a total of 489, constituting a share of 4.5%.
• In 1957, of the 494 MPs, 27 were women (5.5%).
• In the 17th Lok Sabha, which had 543 MPs, 78 were women (14.4%).
• The 18th Lok Sabha constituted after the 2024 election has 74 women MPs out of a total of 543 (13.6%).
• There was barely any difference among political parties between the 2019 and 2024 Lok Sabha elections when it came to fielding women candidates.

PRELIMS TAKEAWAY

• Women's reservation Bill