Bengal emerges 2nd in total, share of women representatives in assembly
Times of India | 21 March 2025
Kolkata: Bengal has emerged second nationally in terms of the share of women MLAs in the state assembly and the total number of women MLAs, according to an analysis by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR). With 15% of Bengal's MLAs being women, the state shares the second position with Jharkhand. Chhattisgarh stood first with 21% women MLAs. In absolute numbers, Bengal (44 women MLAs) stood behind only Uttar Pradesh (51).
Of the 44 women MLAs from Bengal, 38 are from Trinamool Congress. The party emerged third in this field nationally, behind BJP (168) and Congress (63).
Ujjaini Halim, coordinator (Bengal) of ADR and West Bengal Election Watch, said Bengal's rich history of mass movements has resulted in greater women empowerment. "Despite criticisms about the panchayat poll process in the state, women have come to the forefront of leadership in rural areas. That has, in turn, impacted women voters. The percentage of educated women has also been on the rise for decades. Several women-centric welfare projects in the state also impacted women's participation," said Halim.
In the 2024 Lok Sabha polls in Bengal, there were 72 women candidates out of the total 507. "It may not be that women legislators will have enough effective participation in the first year, but eventually, they gain experience and voice issues related to women and gender equity," Halim said.
The analysis found that out of 4,092 MLAs in the country, 400 were women.