The low number of women in the political systems has received attention by the scholars and researchers worldwide. The number of studies which have been conducted continue to locate the issue from a quantitative perspective. This perspective addresses the issue of low number of women in the political systems from a tangible viewpoint which emerges from statistical and numerical data. Such studies and statistical data on women in politics tell the sad tale of low representation of women. The issue is tackled by formulation of mechanisms for the effective recognition and increased representation of women in politics. These mechanisms although have played a major role in putting forward the question of under-representation and forming strategies to reduce the gap. But restricting the debate to institutional strategies and mechanism is a shortsighted approach which does not engage with the question of experiences of women in political arrangements.
This study explores the issue of low participation of women in politics through the short-life stories of two women politicians. It investigates the role of family, marriage, political party and self which determine the low participation from the life-experiences of these women. The role of traditional gendered norms in shaping the lives of these women is explored in this study. It focuses on the complexities and problems of women’s situation in politics and the role of institutions which influence those situations. The study aims to explore the trajectory of women in politics from the lens of short-life stories of women occupying political position.
