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Why Women Exit Politics: The Case of Two Grassroots Activists in a Slum in New Delhi

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  • Anne Waldrop

Abstract

This article investigates why it is so difficult for women to succeed in politics in India, and it analyses this from a grassroots perspective in a slum in New Delhi. Based on longitudinal ethnographic research, I explore and compare in-depth the political trajectories of two women activists and examine why, despite being successful leaders of women and allied with male political ‘godfathers’, they have ended up leaving grassroots activism altogether. I show that both women were first pulled into political activism by NGOs working on women’s empowerment, that both later allied with male politicians to help draw ‘the women’s vote’ and that both women’s respective success largely rested on their concern with so-called women’s causes. However, neither of them was able to build up their own patronage networks, which is necessary to gain an independent political standing in politics. They remained dependent on their male political mentors and on family support; losing one or both of these instigated their respective exits from activism and politics.

Suggested Citation

  • Anne Waldrop, 2024. "Why Women Exit Politics: The Case of Two Grassroots Activists in a Slum in New Delhi," Journal of South Asian Development, , vol. 19(3), pages 408-428, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:sae:soudev:v:19:y:2024:i:3:p:408-428
    DOI: 10.1177/09731741241264069
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Filipe Teles, 2015. "The Distinctiveness of Democratic Political Leadership," Political Studies Review, Political Studies Association, vol. 13(1), pages 22-36, February.
    2. Raghabendra Chattopadhyay & Esther Duflo, 2004. "Women as Policy Makers: Evidence from a Randomized Policy Experiment in India," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 72(5), pages 1409-1443, September.
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