Monday, February 17th, 2025

1% vs 25%: The formula for women reaching the polling booth is amazing.

New Delhi: Increasing the literacy rate of the country by one percent increases the participation of women voters by 25 percent. An SBI report highlights a significant relationship between literacy and female voter participation in the country. This means that out of 1.8 crore additional women voters in the 2024 general elections compared to 2019, 45 lakh women cast their votes due to increased literacy. The report said, ‘We found that a 1 percent increase in literacy rate increases the turnout of women voters by 25 percent. This means that out of the 1.8 crore additional women voters (2024 vs 2019 elections), the increase of 45 lakh women voters is due to increase in literacy.

That’s why women started reaching polling booths

The report also highlights the factors that promote female voter participation. The importance of key factors such as literacy, employment and home ownership has been emphasised. The report said that employment schemes like Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana have played an important role, which has added 36 lakh additional women voters. Sanitation has also emerged as an important factor, adding 21 lakh additional women voters in the 2024 elections. The report highlights the importance of sanitation facilities in shaping socio-political priorities for women. “Sanitation led to approximately 21 lakh additional women voter participation in the 2024 elections, highlighting the paramount importance of sanitation in shaping socio-political priorities,” the report said.

These schemes have a hand in women empowerment

Availability of electricity and better drinking water sources have also had a positive impact on female voter participation. However, the report also states that their impact is not statistically significant. Home ownership, especially under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, is another notable contributor. The report finds that the 20 lakh additional women voters can be linked to increased home ownership. Notably, 74 percent of the houses sanctioned under the scheme are owned by women, either singly or jointly, indicating its impact on empowering women.

These factors affect all categories of women.

The report also examines state-level differences in voter participation. With an interclass correlation coefficient (Rho) of 0.629, the findings show that 62 percent of the variation in female voter participation is due to differences between states. This indicates that factors such as literacy, employment and sanitation positively impact women across all sections of the population within states. Imagine, if a school is opened in a village, then the women there not only become aware of their rights after getting educated, but also go to vote. Similarly, if they get employment and have their own house, their confidence increases and they do not hesitate to raise their voice in the society. Basic amenities like sanitation also ensure women’s health and dignity, enabling them to participate more actively in social and political life.

Emphasis should be on increasing women literacy

The report highlights the need for a continued focus on education, employment and infrastructure to empower women and strengthen their participation in the democratic process. These factors not only enhance the quality of life but also play an important role in shaping the socio-political landscape of India. Suppose, if every woman gets equal opportunities for education and employment, then not only will they be financially independent, but their respect in the society will also increase. They will be able to take better decisions for their family and community and will also be able to contribute to the development of the country. Therefore, ensuring women’s access to literacy, employment and basic amenities is essential to building a strong and prosperous India.

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