BREAKING BARRIERS: Fifty Percent Reservation And Its Impact On Muslim Women In Kerala

Book Code: 1111036803238

Ashly K Ramachandran

ABOUT THE BOOK

The book explores the impact of the Fifty Percent Reservation for Women in Local Self-Government (LSG) bodies on Muslim women in Kerala, with a focus on their empowerment in social, political, and economic domains. It examines their political affiliations, participation, and decision-making capacity, alongside the influence of family support and challenges such as harassment. The study highlights how reservation policies have transformed Muslim women’s roles in politics and society, enabling greater involvement in decision-making within households, communities, and governance. At the same time, it reveals persistent barriers, including limited participation in general seats and paradoxical declines in political engagement despite enhanced representation. By assessing awareness, opinions, and lived experiences, the book provides a nuanced analysis of empowerment, opportunities, and challenges. It stands as a significant contribution to scholarship, offering valuable insights for academicians, students, and general readers interested in Muslim women, gender, and politics.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. Ashly K. Ramachandran is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Islamic and West Asian Studies at the University of Kerala. She earned her Master’s, MPhil, and PhD in Islamic History from the Faculty of Social Sciences and has qualified the UGC JRF in Islamic History. Her research focuses on gender issues, women’s empowerment, Muslim women, and the LGBTQ community. She is a member of the International Studies Association and the American Academy of Religion. Currently, she serves as Editor of the International Journal of Political Science. Her recent publications include Women Empowerment: Issues and Challenges (New Century Publications) and Navigating a Complex Terrain: India’s Strategic Engagements with West Asia during the NDA Government (VIJ). Dr. Ramachandran has authored numerous research articles, presented papers at national and international conferences, and undertaken projects on gender, media representation, and women’s empowerment.

CONTENTS

Foreword ...................................................................................................................................................... 7
List of Tables …............................................................................................................................................. 9
List of Figures .............................................................................................................................................. 13
List of Abbreviations .................................................................................................................................... 15

I. Introduction .............................................................................................................................................. 17
II. History of Status and Position of Muslim Women in the Society ................................................................ 45
III. Women Political Reservation and Muslim Women’s Political Participation ............................................... 67
IV. Demographical and Socio-Political Status of Muslim Women in Local Self Government Bodies ............... 97
V. Economic and Socio-Political Empowerment among Muslim Women Representatives in Kerala .............. 123
VI. Muslim Women Representative’s Opinion about Fifty Percentage Political Reservation .......................... 145
VII. Findings and Conclusion ..................................................................................................................... 157

Bibliography ............................................................................................................................................... 169