At the India TV 'She' Conclave, Members of Parliament Iqra Hasan of the Samajwadi Party (SP) and Shambhavi Choudhary of the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) shared their views on women's participation in politics and public life. The MPs spoke about leadership, opportunities for women, and the evolving role of women in governance and society.
Shambhavi Choudhary spoke about the "double shift" that many women experience while managing both professional responsibilities and family life. She said women in India are often expected to handle work as well as domestic responsibilities, a balance that is deeply rooted in the country's cultural values. According to her, the strength to manage both roles comes from the upbringing and values many women receive within their families.
I never imagined I would enter politics: Iqra Hasan
Iqra Hasan said politics was not something she initially planned for herself. However, once she stepped into the field, she decided to focus on doing her job with sincerity. "I never thought I would be in politics, but now that I am here, I want to do my work well," she said, adding that the responsibility of representing people motivates her to stay focused on public service.
Shambhavi Choudhary on entering politics at a young age
Shambhavi Choudhary shared that she entered politics at the age of 25 and had long known that public life was the path she wanted to pursue. Being the elder daughter in her family also meant carrying a sense of responsibility.
"I knew I wanted to be in politics. I was born in a family that has been in politics, and I have grown up with the idea of service," she said. She added that the quote "Be the change you wish to see in the world" has been an important guiding principle in her life.
Iqra Hasan talks about the focus on women's appearance in politics
Iqra Hasan spoke about the attention often placed on women's appearance in public life. She said that discussions about women politicians frequently revolve around what they wear, something that rarely happens with male leaders.
"There is a decorum for every place, but the focus is often on what women wear. Male outfits are rarely discussed in the same way," she said. Iqra added that society is slowly changing and that eventually the focus should shift towards the work women leaders are doing rather than their attire. "The focus should ultimately be on work," she said.
Shambhavi Choudhary on facing 'nepotism' accusations
Shambhavi Choudhary said that women in politics are often labelled "nepo kids" if they come from political families, even though similar scrutiny is not always applied to men. She said it is easy for critics to claim that she entered politics because of her father, but ultimately it is the voters who decide. "It is wrong to say I am here only because my father is in politics. I was chosen by the people of Samastipur," she said.
'Women must be the natural choice in leadership'
Iqra Hasan spoke about how daughters are often not considered the natural successors in leadership roles within families. She said that despite this perception, she holds a higher hierarchical position than her brothers in the political space and has received strong support from her family. "Women should be the natural choice in every sector," she said, emphasising the need to change traditional mindsets.
'Challenging patriarchal attitudes in politics'
Shambhavi Choudhary said women leaders often face patriarchal attitudes and misogynistic comments, particularly when they enter politics at a young age. She noted that many people find it difficult to accept that a 25-year-old woman can serve as a Member of Parliament. "It becomes very easy to comment on women personally. When people cannot criticise your work, they often resort to character assassination," she said, adding that change must begin with challenging such mindsets.
'Women have to fight a different battle in politics'
Iqra Hasan said women in politics often have to fight a different kind of battle compared to men. She said women leaders should not have to seek votes by presenting themselves primarily as someone's daughter or sister. "Women need to break barriers. We should not have to ask for votes as someone's 'beti' or 'behen'. Women fight a different battle compared to men," she said.
'Politics remains a male-dominated space'
Shambhavi Choudhary said politics continues to be a male-dominated field. She referred to the concept of "mukhiya pati", where male relatives often exercise influence in positions officially held by women in local governance. She said her academic research has also focused on women's electoral representation and the structural challenges they face. According to her, politics is not a conventional 9-to-5 job, which sometimes makes families hesitant about encouraging daughters to enter the field. However, she noted that attitudes are gradually changing.
Iqra Hasan on representation of Muslim women in politics
Iqra Hasan highlighted that the representation of Muslim women in politics remains very low. She said across communities and religions, families often hesitate to encourage daughters to enter political life. At the same time, she pointed to strong examples of women leaders in Indian politics. "Indira Gandhi, Sushma Swaraj, Mayawati, and Mamata Banerjee are powerful examples. Their presence has created strong visual representation for women in politics," she said. Iqra also noted that political parties should nurture women leaders from the grassroots level.
'Women must have the freedom to make their choices'
Speaking about cultural practices, Iqra Hasan said women should have the agency to decide whether they want to wear a hijab or cover their head. "This should be a matter of choice. Women should have the freedom to decide whether they want to cover their head or not," she said, adding that both religion and the Constitution allow individuals the freedom to make such choices. She added that her choice to carry her dupatta over her head is more of a cultural decision rather than a religious choice.
'Political parties must support women leaders'
Shambhavi Choudhary said political parties play an important role in nurturing women leaders. She pointed out that Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) leader Chirag Paswan has given tickets to several women candidates. She added that leaders should not differentiate between male and female voters and that meaningful change requires collective effort. "One person alone cannot bring this change. Everyone has to step forward," she said.
'Investing in women is good policy'
Iqra Hasan said societies progress when policies support women's participation in public life. She pointed to countries like Norway where women have strong representation in Parliament. She also highlighted policies such as equal maternal and paternal leave as examples of steps that help create a more balanced society. "It is a sound economic policy to invest in women," she said, adding that encouraging women's participation in politics and the workforce benefits society as a whole.
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