The aim of this thesis is to explore the challenges women face for vertical mobility in politics in India and Sweden, the similarities and differences. Gender empowerment and equal opportunities are essential features for an egalitarian society, development, national and international peace. Promoting gender empowerment through women’s effective participation in politics is a structural interventional approach in social work. However studies show women face numerous obstacles in achieving political representation.  Gender inequality, inequitable division of labour, cultural attitudes, electoral systems are some reasons which subjugate women and limit their representation in public life. Sweden and India differ immensely in all of these factors and more. However, similarity in these nations is the low representation of women councillors in key decision making positions in governance; resulting in exclusion of women’s interests and issues in public policy. In-depth interviews conducted with six respondents from both nations analysed in a feministic framework reveal cultural, ideological, socio-economic and political structures as common challenges. Social work interventions in all these spheres can lead to sustainable empowerment for women.

Keywords; Gender empowerment, structural social work, women’s political representation, vertical mobility in politics, India,    Sweden