Women Rights in 2026 and the Journey - By Dr.Dhanalakshmi Krishnaiyer (Ph.D., LL.M)

 

For building more resilient and inclusive societies, it is quite vital that there is collective backing in advancing gender equality. This would mean that public capitalizes in Women’s feats and aspirations, so that the benefits extend not just to individuals but to communities at large. The International women’s day celebrated worldwide on 8^th March is a reminder of women’s combined action of mass labor movements and suffrage campaigns to global conventions. This historic day in the year 1917, was the instance when the Russian women went on strike demanding “bread and peace”. Notwithstanding the Constitution guaranteeing equality and adult franchise, ensuring women equal rights and participation in democratic processes, it has been rather a struggle for women empowerment in the real sense and to march towards equality, justice and leadership. Articles 15, 16, 39, 42 and 243, the key provisions that ensure gender equality are enshrined in the Indian Constitution and provided under, however, a pivotal shift of women empowerment commenced only since 1990. Now we witness a nation wherein Women are key stake holders in development and not just beneficiaries of protectionist policies, altering the view from development of women to women led development. When many countries were still debating women’s suffrage, India Constitution was very proactive and settled for universal adult franchise at the time of independence to ensure women’s equal participation in the democratic processes. Nevertheless, it took the 106^th Constitutional Amendment aka Nari Shakti Adhiniyam, 2023 to essentially provide for one-third reservation for women in Lok sabha and State legislative Assemblies, as a result we see a rising representation of Women in India’s governance. The Apex court of India has also played a transformative role in advancing and safeguarding the rights of women across the nation and has persistently upheld the principles of equality, dignity and nondiscrimination, addressing critical issues such as workplace rights, personal autonomy, protection from violence and access to justice. Resonating with the constitutional ethos & legislative initiatives, a landmark judgement was delivered by the bench presided over by the Hon’ble Chief Justice of India, Shri Suryakant in 2025 that particularly laid down reservations for women. Decision making spaces such as shaping laws, policies and public priorities is where women’s presence should be ultimately visible if we have to claim that now gender equality is pursued in the truest sense. Although there has been a gradual shift of women representation in Houses of Parliament and across state legislatures from a marginal share evident in the early years of republic, but still the transformation is more pronounced at the grass roots like Panchayati raj institutions. It is rather interesting to note that the Union budget has been sensitive to gender equality and has earmarked 5 crores plus of funds by 53 ministries and 5 Union territories, reflecting a shift from figurative inclusion to sustained investment in women’s development. As the government initiatives continue, we expect more phenomenal changes and legislative amends for significant women inclusivity.

- Author : Dr.Dhanalakshmi Krishnaiyer (Ph.D., LL.M.) 

Contact No. - (+91)9833185363 

Email ID : advocatedhanalakshmi@gmail.com

 The Author is a Counsel at Supreme Court & High Court.