Women remain underrepresented in politics, decision-making: Annamalai
K. Annamalai, founder of 'We The Leaders', highlighted the significant underrepresentation of women in Indian politics and decision-making roles. He also presented data showing high rates of sexual violence in Tamil Nadu alongside a decline in reported domestic violence.
Why it matters
It draws attention to gender inequality in political leadership and the ongoing crisis of gender-based violence in India.
Former BJP leader and founder of ‘We The Leaders’ movement K. Annamalai on Thursday (October 1, 2026) said women remained underrepresented in politics and decision-making.
“Globally, women hold 27.5% of parliamentary seats and 22.4% of Cabinet positions. In India, women hold 13.8% of Lok Sabha seats and 5.6% of Union Cabinet positions, and they accounted for 11.01% of Assembly contestants in Tamil Nadu in 2026,” he said.
In his remarks made for a policy paper on women’s safety and empowerment prepared by ‘We The Leaders’ Foundation, Mr. Annamalai said Tamil Nadu recorded 26,145 cases of rape, sexual harassment, stalking, kidnapping, and under the POCSO Act between 2020 and 2024, with child sexual abuse alone accounting for 21,397 cases.
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