Overview of the Situation

In Chandigarh, student elections showcase the vibrancy of youth leadership and collective democracy. However, a significant lack of female representation in key leadership positions remains evident across numerous prominent colleges, raising questions about gender equity in student governance.

Case Study: DAV College

DAV College serves as a stark illustration of this disparity. Historically, no woman has held the president’s position in the college’s student elections. Since 2017, there have been no female candidates, until this year. Unfortunately, this year’s elections saw another all-male council, with no women elected.

Jaspreet Kaur, a second-year Bachelor of Arts student and member of the Pal Phalwan Student Organisation, attempted to break this pattern by running for president. Although she did not win—garnering 121 votes—her candidacy has inspired her peers. “When I filed my nominations, everyone told me politics is not for girls. After the results, many girls came up to me and said they felt inspired. That meant more to me than winning,” Kaur stated.

Examining Sri Guru Gobind Singh College

At Sri Guru Gobind Singh College, the trend perpetuates itself. College records confirm that a female has never held the presidential post. For the academic years 2022-23 and 2023-24, the student council consisted entirely of men. It was only in the 2024-25 year that a woman, Rajji, was elected as general secretary, with no substantial change in the overall male dominance in the council.

Rajji attributes this lack of female representation to a pervasive culture of ignorance and fear that discourages young women from participating in campus politics.

GGDSD College: Continuing Trends

A similar narrative unfolds at GGDSD College, where, like its counterparts, no female has ever assumed the president’s role. The persistent underrepresentation of women in these influential positions raises critical questions about the barriers they face in entering student politics.