Political participation is the cornerstone of any democratic system, extending beyond the right to vote to active involvement in decision-making, policy formulation, and social reforms. This study investigates the gender gap in political participation and its economic consequences, with a particular focus on India. Despite constitutional provisions and affirmative action policies such as 33% reservation for women at the panchayat level, women’s representation in state legislatures and Parliament remains significantly lower than that of men. Using descriptive and correlational research design, this paper employs secondary data drawn from the National Statistical Office, Election Commission, and NITI Aayog reports (2020–2024) to analyze the relationship between women’s political participation and key economic indicators such as employment rate, per capita income, poverty reduction, and Human Development Index. Statistical techniques including t-test, correlation, and regression analysis were applied. Results indicate a substantial gender gap in representation, with women averaging only 18% in legislative assemblies compared to 82% men. However, findings demonstrate a strong positive correlation between women’s political participation and higher employment rates (r = 0.62) and per capita income (r = 0.66), alongside a negative correlation with poverty rates (r = –0.58). Regression analysis further confirms that even a 1% increase in female representation leads to measurable improvements in economic outcomes. These results highlight that women’s political presence is not merely a question of gender justice but a prerequisite for inclusive and sustainable development. The study concludes that enhancing women’s political participation can significantly strengthen democracy, improve social welfare, and drive equitable economic progress. Policy recommendations include expediting women’s reservation in legislatures, promoting political education, and fostering supportive socio-cultural environments to advance women’s leadership.