Top 10 Women Politicians in India

The need for equal and just representation of women in Indian politics has created a longstanding journey towards advocacy within the country. Time and time again, there have been brave, powerful women who have fought the gender gap and paved an inspiring path for more women to enter politics. As India gears up for its next general election, let’s take a look at ten boundary-breaking women who are the most influential female political figures in India.

1. Sonia Gandhi
Sonia Gandhi had the longest tenure as the president of Congress. A member of the prestigious lineage of Nehru-Gandhi family, this fierce female leader entered politics in 1998. In 2006, she formed the United Progressive Alliance. She retired as the president of Congress in 2017, handing the onus to her son Rahul Gandhi.

2. Mayawati
P.V. Narasimha Rao described Mayawati’s rise to politics as a “miracle of democracy,” made even more miraculous by her need to fight harder as a woman in the field. Hailing from humble beginnings, Mayawati had no connection to politics. However, Dalit Politician Kanshi Ram persuaded her to enter the filed. She shot to fame with her historic win as the first Dalit Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh in 1995.

3. Pratibha Patil
In 1962, Pratibha Patil joined politics as the member of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly. Her affable terms with the Gandhi family enabled her to contest for the role of the president in 2007. She served as the 12th President of India from 2007 to 2012, and has been quite outspoken in her advocacy for female empowerment.

4. Sheila Dikshit
Sheila Dikshit’s father-in-law was Uma Shankar Dikshit who was Union Minister as well as a close ally to the Nehru-Gandhi family. It was while she briefly worked with her father that Indira Gandhi saw Sheila’s potential and passion for politics. Eventually, she went on to become Delhi’s longest serving Chief Minister. This politician has reprimanded society for not sufficiently safeguarding the freedom and dignity of women in India.