Assam continues to lag behind much of the country in women’s representation in politics, with just seven women MLAs in the 126-member Assam Legislative Assembly, according to an analysis by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR).

The findings, based on self-sworn affidavits of sitting legislators elected in 2021, show that women make up barely 6 per cent of the Assembly, while 94 per cent — or 119 members — are men.

In comparison, the national average for women among sitting MLAs across India stands at around 10 per cent, as per ADR’s 2025 all-India report covering 4,092 MLAs from 28 states and three Union Territories.

Beyond the gender gap, the age profile of Assam’s legislators also reveals a clear trend. Around 57 per cent of the MLAs fall in the 51–70 years age group, while about 43 per cent are between 25 and 50 years.

This broadly mirrors the national pattern, where the highest concentration of legislators is in the 51–60 age bracket, followed by those aged 41–50 and 61–70. In short, both Assam and the rest of the country continue to be led largely by experienced, older politicians.

However, when it comes to women representatives in Assam, the numbers are even more striking.

Assam has only eight women MPs and MLAs combined, and their age profile leans heavily towards seniority. About 75 per cent are above 50 years of age, with just 25 per cent under 50.

Political observers say this could reflect the additional barriers faced by younger women trying to enter public life — from limited party nominations to financial constraints and societal expectations.

For many young women in Assam, especially those balancing family responsibilities or lacking political connections, contesting elections remains a distant dream. A first-time aspirant from Upper Assam, requesting anonymity, said, “Even getting a party ticket is a huge struggle. Experience is important, but opportunity is equally important.”

The low representation of women limits diverse perspectives in policymaking, especially on issues directly affecting women, such as healthcare access, maternal benefits, education, safety and livelihood opportunities.

The numbers gain further significance in the backdrop of national discussions around the Women’s Reservation Bill and efforts to enhance female participation in legislatures.

Experts point out that Assam’s demographic profile — young, aspirational and facing dynamic challenges such as floods, migration, unemployment and ethnic tensions — requires broader and more inclusive representation.

The dominance of legislators over 50, while reflecting experience, may also mean slower adaptation to emerging concerns like digital governance, climate resilience and technology-driven employment.

ADR’s reports aim to increase transparency and voter awareness by highlighting demographic and background details of elected representatives. Analysts often view low diversity — both in terms of gender and age — as a sign of structural barriers to entry, possible dynastic influence, or party preferences for established and financially strong candidates.

With only seven women in a 126-member Assembly, Assam stands among the lower-ranked states in women’s representation. The figures have once again sparked conversations about whether political parties in the state are doing enough to encourage and nominate more women and younger candidates.

For now, the numbers speak clearly: in Assam’s corridors of power, women remain vastly outnumbered, and youth voices are still finding space at the table.