Creating spaces for women: Inclusion through reservation in urban local governance

Inclusion of women in local government through reservation is a major tool for empowering women in politics. Reservations for women have undoubtedly changed the face of India's town halls and municipal committees. Providing an inclusive growth through urban local governance, this issue needs to be examined in the sense-whether 33 percent of reservation for women in local politics can yield the expected output? This paper examines the factors that facilitate the entry and participation of women in the political field, how these women shape urban local politics and create a space for themselves in that realm through reserved seats, thereby, serving the community and society at large. It has been found that the provision of one-third of reservation of seats for women in the State Act has enabled several women who had never been in a position to enter into politics.