ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses various questions including why women are at the periphery of the democratic process in Assam and their interests and gender justice are undermined by the identity politics in the state. Contrary to the popular belief of gender equality in Assam, women actually enjoy a much lower status at all levels, micro, meso, and macro. Society is deeply ingrained with patriarchal values. The state is thus faced with a paradox of a high rate of participation of women as voters and poor representation in the legislative assembly and Parliament. This paradox raises some basic questions which this chapter provides answers to: why women continue to lack effective political power in the political process in the state? What are the structural obstacles which women fail to address for desired positions in politics? What is the relationship between women and political parties? How useful are quotas in increasing women's representation within parties as well as parties' commitment to eliminate gender inequalities?
