Context: India’s urban population will exceed 800 million by 2050, making it the world’s largest contributor to urban growth. As cities expand, ensuring gender equity in governance and services is essential for inclusive development and democratic progress.
Expanding Political Representation of Women
Constitutional Mandates for Inclusion:
The 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments mandate 33% reservation for women in Panchayati Raj Institutions and Urban Local Bodies.
17 States and 1 Union Territory have increased this quota to 50%.
Strong Presence in Local Politics:
As of 2024, women account for over 46% of elected representatives (Ministry of Panchayati Raj).
Their increasing roles as mayors and councillors signal growing political empowerment.
Lack of Administrative Representation:
Despite political gains, urban bureaucracies remain male-dominated.
This imbalance weakens the implementation of gender-sensitive policies.
Gender Gap in Urban Bureaucracy
Low Participation in Administrative Cadres:
Only 20% of IAS officers were women as of 2022 (IndiaSpend).
Their representation is even lower in technical sectors like planning, engineering, and transport.
Underrepresentation in Policing:
Women comprise only 11.7% of police personnel (BPR&D, 2023).
Most serve in desk roles, limiting their field-level impact on safety and community relations.
Overlooked Gendered Needs in Planning:
Women rely more on public and shared transport—84% in Delhi and Mumbai versus 63% of men.
Urban planning still prioritizes mega-projects over safety and local infrastructure needs.
Proven Impact of Women Officials:
Studies by ICRIER and UN Women show women in governance prioritize health, water, and safety.
Their leadership builds public trust through empathetic enforcement and inclusive decision-making.
Underutilised Potential of Gender Budgeting
Introduction and Efforts in India:
Gender Budgeting (GRB) was introduced in 2005-06.
Delhi implemented women-only buses and better lighting; Tamil Nadu applied GRB across 64 departments; Kerala integrated it into the People’s Plan Campaign.
Challenges in Implementation:
UN Women and NIPFP report weak monitoring and low capacity, especially in smaller cities.
Basic needs like childcare, safe pedestrian spaces, and community amenities are often neglected.
International Best Practices:
Philippines: 5% of local budgets are mandated for gender programs.
Rwanda: GRB is aligned with national planning.
Uganda: Requires gender equity certification for budgets.
Mexico: Links gender budgets to performance outcomes.
South Africa: Pilots participatory planning for gender equity.
Moving Beyond Quotas to Structural Reform
Need for Institutional Changes:
Recruitment, retention, and promotion policies must be reformed to support gender inclusion.
Scholarships and quotas in technical fields like urban planning and engineering are essential to remove systemic barriers.
Global Lessons on Inclusive Governance:
Rwanda: Boosted maternal health through targeted spending.
Brazil: Prioritized sanitation in poor communities.
South Korea: Used gender audits for public transport planning.
Tunisia: Enacted parity laws in political representation.
Philippines: Funded women’s shelters via gender budgeting.
Why It Matters:
Gender-balanced bureaucracies are crucial for designing cities that are safe, equitable, and responsive to all.
A Vision for Equitable Cities
Cities Beyond Growth:
As India moves towards a $5 trillion economy, inclusivity must match economic ambition.
Cities must foster equity, not just development.
Institutionalising Inclusive Governance:
Urban planning must include mandatory gender audits, participatory budgeting, and outcome-linked evaluations.
Gender-responsive budgeting should be a core function of all Urban Local Governments.
Empowering Women as Decision-Makers:
Representation should translate into real agency and decision-making power.
Initiatives like Kudumbashree offer replicable models.
Cities must be co-designed with women, not just for them.