How has women participation be increased …

Women have been active participants in Indian politics since independence. In the struggle for independence under Mahatma Gandhi, women played an important role. There were prominent women leaders like Sarojini Naidu and Aruna Asaf Ali. 
After independence, women have continued to play an important role in politics. India had universal adult franchise right from independence and, therefore, women have been very active in politics as voters.

Earlier women participation in politics was minimal. They were not allowed to participate in public affairs, vote and contest for public offices. It was only after gender issue was raised in politics that women got access to this area. The participation of women in Indian politics has been increased by making it legally binding to have a fair proportion of women in the elected bodies:

1. In local government, however, the participation of women has significantly increased with one-third of seats in local government institutions being reserved for women.
2. There are more than 10 lakh elected women representatives in rural and urban local bodies.
3. Efforts are being made for such a reservation in Parliament and State Assemblies too.
4. Still, a lot more has to be done. A bill on the reservation of seats for women has been pending before the parliament but there is no consensus over the bill among all the political parties.