Participation of women in Indian politics and the role of media

Political participation of women in any country gives an overview of how women are treated in society. The development of any country also depends on the equal participation of men and women. Since women's presence is seemed to be low in Indian politics, it is the duty of every human being to make them aware of their rights and motivate them for participating in mainstream politics. The constitution of India not only guarantees equality in society but also suggests states to make special provisions for women. Women still are fighting for equal status in society. Because of their low representation in Indian politics, their issues and problems are generally unseen and unnoticed. Their genuine demands are not raised before the decisions makers. Women need be dependent to make their own decisions. The media plays a significant role in determining how women in politics and decision-making bodies are viewed and perceived by society in general. It does not only play an important role in shaping the values of society but also reflects those values. It plays the role of an informer, educator and a mediator for social change. To have strong democratic governance, women's equal participation is must and therefore their contribution to this processes needs to be analyzed in the appropriate context by the media. There cannot be a real democracy if the voices and issues of women that constitute half the population of the country are ignored or sidelined. This paper analyzes the role of media about women's participation in national politics and also analyzes whether or not women's voices and issues are articulated to the public as matters of importance.