Social Movement, Action and Change: The Influence of Women's Movements on City Government in Mumbai and London

Abstract

This article reports on a research investigation into gender and local government in Mumbai in India and London in England.In both these cities female representation at the political level stands at around one third, achieved in London slowly in recent years and in Mumbai more rapidly through the adoption of a quota, or seat reservation system, implemented in 1992. In considering the experience of the women concerned it is argued that their presence and aspirations have been influenced through the networks of their respective women's movements, operating through civil society and the local state. In considering the ways in which they organize and manage the duties of office and their gendered identities, as well as in their focus on the most disadvantaged in their communities and in their dealings with others, the part played by social movements in influencing change is examined. Introductory commentsT his article reports findings from a research investigation into gender and local government which has been in progress for a number of years. Beginning in England in the late 1980s, the investigation was extended to India in order to consider the impact of the 30 per cent seat reservation, or quota system, for local women politicians which has been in operation in

Are Women Better Politicians? Discrimination, Gender Quotas, and Electoral Accountability

“…This would result from a dramatic drop in the expected share of women in the municipal council-from 56% to only 3%. While stark, the latter is in fact consistent with the historical share prior to the introduction of quotas, which stood at 2% (Barry, Honour and Palnitkar, 2004).…”

Are Women Better Politicians? Discrimination, Gender Quotas, and Electoral Accountability

“…This would result from a dramatic drop in the expected share of women in the municipal council-from 56% to only 3%. While stark, the latter is in fact consistent with the historical share prior to the introduction of quotas, which stood at 2% (Barry, Honour and Palnitkar, 2004).…”

Poverty and marginalisation: challenges to poor women's leadership in urban India

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Essentially Political

“…This article builds on initial findings reported in earlier papers (cf. Barry et al 2004), 1 and reports on a follow-up research investigation, the new data comprising further individual interviews and a focus group of women politicians collected during a field trip in April 2005 to explore issues of social work. These new sources of data have extended our understanding of the social context and processes at work, which we hope will have helped to limit any respondent and/or researcher bias (Lincoln and Guba 1985).…”

Are Women Better Politicians? Discrimination, Gender Quotas, and Electoral Accountability

“…This would result from a dramatic drop in the expected share of women in the municipal council-from 56% to only 3%. While stark, the latter is in fact consistent with the historical share prior to the introduction of quotas, which stood at 2% (Barry, Honour and Palnitkar, 2004).…”

Poverty and marginalisation: challenges to poor women's leadership in urban India

“……”

“……”

Essentially Political

“…This article builds on initial findings reported in earlier papers (cf. Barry et al 2004), 1 and reports on a follow-up research investigation, the new data comprising further individual interviews and a focus group of women politicians collected during a field trip in April 2005 to explore issues of social work. These new sources of data have extended our understanding of the social context and processes at work, which we hope will have helped to limit any respondent and/or researcher bias (Lincoln and Guba 1985).…”

Are Women Better Politicians? Discrimination, Gender Quotas, and Electoral Accountability

“…This would result from a dramatic drop in the expected share of women in the municipal council-from 56% to only 3%. While stark, the latter is in fact consistent with the historical share prior to the introduction of quotas, which stood at 2% (Barry, Honour and Palnitkar, 2004).…”

Poverty and marginalisation: challenges to poor women's leadership in urban India

“……”

“……”

Essentially Political

“…This article builds on initial findings reported in earlier papers (cf. Barry et al 2004), 1 and reports on a follow-up research investigation, the new data comprising further individual interviews and a focus group of women politicians collected during a field trip in April 2005 to explore issues of social work. These new sources of data have extended our understanding of the social context and processes at work, which we hope will have helped to limit any respondent and/or researcher bias (Lincoln and Guba 1985).…”