Abstract

The discussion as to whether India’s affirmative action policy of reservation (guaranteeing women 33% of the local Ward Councilor seats) brings about substantive gender equality is based upon an in-depth ethnographic case study of one Mumbai administrative ward. To better understand what reservation brings both women councilors and women as a group, I leverage Caroline Moser’s practical and strategic needs framework. I also compare the Ward Councilors’ socio-political networks to see what differences exist between them regarding the amount and character of their politically relevant social capital.