This persistent gender paradox suggests that while women are the primary drivers of Kerala’s high voter turnout, the winnability argument continues to be used by male-dominated party machineries to keep them away from the corridors of power.
| Photo Credit: K Ragesh
As Kerala marches towards Assembly election, a stark and familiar contradiction has once again taken centre stage. Despite women outnumbering men in the final electoral rolls, the candidate lists released by the major political fronts tell a story of systemic exclusion.
Across the 140 constituencies, women remain a decimal point in a male-dominated power struggle, raising urgent questions about whether the State’s high literacy and social progress are merely veneer-deep when it comes to political empowerment. This persistent gender paradox suggests that while women are the primary drivers of Kerala’s high voter turnout, the winnability argument continues to be used by male-dominated party machineries to keep them away from the corridors of power.
The United Democratic Front (UDF) has faced sharp internal and external criticism for fielding only nine women out of 92 Congress candidates. When the candidates from constituent parties such as the Revolutionary Marxist Party and the Muslim League are also included, the total number of women candidates in the UDF reaches 12.
The situation is equally grim within the Left Democratic Front (LDF), which, despite its progressive rhetoric, has only nominated only 17 women across its constituent parties. While this 12% representation is a marginal improvement over previous years, it remains far below the threshold of meaningful empowerment, leaving the State’s legislative diversity stagnant. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has fielded around 14 women, and the overall narrative across all fronts remains one of exclusion.
Patriarchal structures
Since the first Kerala Assembly in 1957, only 100 women have ever been elected to the house, a sobering statistic that highlights a systemic glass ceiling. While Kerala often stands as a beacon for human development, the gap between social indicators and political representation remains a stark irony, R.M. Amritaraj, a specialist in women’s studies at the Kerala Institute of Local Administration, points out.
“Despite Kerala’s celebrated achievements in health, literacy, sex ratio, and exceptionally low maternal and infant mortality rates, a significant representation gap persists. Although it is the only Indian State where women outnumber men, this demographic strength has never translated into political power; women have yet to cross the 10% threshold in either the State Assembly or Parliament,” he says.
He adds that this disparity serves as a sobering reminder that high social indicators do not automatically dismantle patriarchal structures. “In a society that prides itself on constant discourse regarding gender justice, inclusivity, and progressive politics, the continued absence of women from major decision-making bodies is a significant systemic failure,” he observes.
According to senior CPI(M) leader C.S. Sujatha, the deeply rooted patriarchal nature of Kerala society acts as a barrier to rapid progress. “While we see minor shifts in the right direction, they fall short of what is necessary. Achieving a truly equitable society demands a more rigorous and sustained struggle,” she says.
Legal mandate
Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) general secretary Deepthy Mary Varghese says parties celebrate women’s empowerment in rhetoric, yet often hesitate to share actual power when there isn’t a legal mandate forcing them to do so.
“Political parties must develop a genuine conviction regarding the need for women in politics. There are highly capable and strong women leaders who have excelled as local body heads. So the barrier isn’t a lack of capable women,” she says.
BJP spokesperson T.P. Sindhumol says despite the opportunity for parties to demonstrate their commitment to gender justice voluntarily, the status quo remains largely undisturbed.
”While the introduction of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam was met with unanimous support across party lines, this symbolic consensus has yet to catalyse a practical shift in political culture. Women are the backbone of day-to-day party activities, leading cultural initiatives, social welfare programmes, and grassroots mobilisation. But these women who are deemed indispensable for party are often overlooked when ticket distribution is discussed,” she says.
Published – March 24, 2026 10:35 pm IST
