Women in Public Policy: A New Era

Leadership is shifting-and it’s about time the corridors of power reflected it. In a world where policy shapes the future, women’s representation isn’t just progress. It’s a movement.

This quarter, we shine a light on Women in Public Policy-celebrating trailblazers, confronting structural gaps, and pushing for a future where leadership is inclusive, ethical, and effective. This edition dives deep into the theme-featuring voices from our women alumni, reflections on gender and governance, and the institutional shifts that are slowly, but surely, rewriting the rules of leadership.

Even empirical data tells a story of momentum: the 2023 IAS batch saw a record 41% women officers. Local governance, too, has witnessed a dramatic rise in women’s participation-from just 4.5% to 44.4%-outpacing the global average of 34.3% (UN Women).

But the journey is far from complete. Women still hold only 14% of seats in Parliament and a mere 9% in state legislatures, despite comprising nearly half the population. When women claim their seat at the table, the conversation-and the outcomes-shift. Diverse leadership doesn’t just broaden perspectives; it transforms how challenges are understood and solved, making policy more responsive to the lived realities of all citizens.

At ISPP, we’re committed to accelerating this transformation. We’re proud to have announced the Franklin Templeton Scholarship for the 2025–26 academic year-a flagship initiative that will empower 20 deserving women from Tier 2, 3, and 4 towns to pursue our one-year Public Policy, Design & Management (PDM) programme. These Franklin Templeton Scholars will not only represent merit, but the potential to lead with purpose and create real-world impact.

Through design thinking, interdisciplinary learning, and mentorship from women leaders who’ve carved their own paths, ISPP is building a launchpad for the next generation of changemakers. Our mission to democratise policy education is rooted in creating leaders across Samaaj, Sarkaar, and Bazaar-equipped with empathy, innovation, and courage.

The tide is turning. And we’re proud to help shape its direction-one voice, one story, one fearless leader at a time.