Ghettoization of women has prevented fuller development of their potential and hence optimum advancement of any country. Equal participation of women in the decision making can influence public policy for the purpose of redressing gender bias in the society. Reservation of one-third seats for women in the local selfgoverning institutions by the 73rd and the 74th Constitutional Amendment Acts tried to rectify the situation but could not subdue their demand for equal participation in decision making. The lapsing of 108th and 112th Amendment Bills in the Lok Sabha speaks volumes about women’s subordination and reluctance on the part of males in our society to share power with them. Fifteen states at present have increased the reservations in local self-governing bodies to 50%, Punjab joining them in 2017. The most prominent factor which impinges on women’s effective participation in decision-making is the role played by the political parties. Main motive of the party is to win the seat and hence it gives ticket to the family which has been winning the seat for it. When the constituency becomes a reserved one, a female in the family is made to contest election. This has given rise to the problem of proxies. The majority of the real female cadre in the party fails to get nominated in elections. For meaningful representation of women in decision-making bodies quota must be introduced in the political parties as well.

Keywords : Women, Reservations, Political Parties.