According to the World Economic Forum's Gender Gap Index (2009), India ranks 24th out of 135 countries in regards to women's political participation. In the world's largest democracy, women are still significantly under represented with a mere 10% of seats in India's Parliament. Yet at the same time, the struggle to enact the Women’s Reservation Bill, which would allot 33% of seats in state legisl
atures and parliament for women, continues. As of today, the passage of this bill is close to becoming a reality. This is when India will need hundreds of women MPs and thousands of women MLAs. There is already 50% reservation in Panchayati Raj Institutions. Hence, some of the women political leaders from the Panchayats might want to move to State and National levels. Although women politicians will continue to face different barriers and certain disadvantages before and after taking political office, it is imperative that proactive measures are taken to empower them politically and that they are able to receive sufficient training and knowledge with which to prepare them for greater political involvement. Women who aspire towards becoming effective politicians in India must acquire specialised knowledge and experience in order to win elections and pursue inclusive policies at the local, state and national levels. The India-Women in Leadership (i-WIL) programme provides women with the knowledge, skills and tools essential for becoming a leader in India’s shifting political landscape. The challenge lies in the multiple roles political leaders in India are expected to play:
• Legislators—to make laws
• Policy Implementers—when they are part of cabinets
• CEOs—of their constituencies, where they are held accountable for development
• Problem solvers—for citizens’ official and unofficial problems
• Experts—on all types of issues
• Party Activists—strengthening their own political parties and opposing other parties
India-Women in Leadership (i-WIL) prepares mid-career women to become powerful, visionary leaders in Indian politics. A cooperation between theCentre for Public Policy at the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB) and Centre for Social Research (CSR), i-WIL takes place in Bangalore, New Delhi and Singapore over a 10-week period. During in-classroom sessions, practical activities, fieldwork, exposure visits and study trips, participants engage with renowned academics, politicians, gender experts and activists, civil society leaders and members of the media while building their own diverse network of politically experienced women from across the country. By the end of the course, i-WIL participants are confident, capable and experienced in:
• Political theory and practice at the local, state and national levels in India;
• Leadership strategy and communication techniques;
• Values of diversity, social justice, integrity, ethical analysis and accountability; and
• Organisational management, especially in understanding the needs, challenges and opportunities of dynamic organisations. Participants also gain:
• A strong network of likeminded women in politics, civil society and activism across India;
• Self-awareness of personal leadership styles, strengths and skills;
• A personalised plan for continued leadership development; and
• Certification in political leadership from the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore.
