An Overview of Issues and Challenges for Women Sarpanch at Gramapanchayat

Abstract

Women have an important role in the development and growth of a nation. They are vital for the progress of a civilized society. Without the development of women, it is impossible to envisage the growth of people, families, and society. According to the 73rdAmendment, women must hold at least one-third of the seats in panchayat. With 1.4 million elected female seats, India has the most. Panchayat Raj Institutions have experienced both remarkable success and failure along the 26-year journey to establish genuine women's political representation at the grassroots level of democracy. Due to a number of obstacles, including a lack of awareness, experience, knowledge, talent, leadership quality, low level of education, lack of exposure, etc., it has been unable to provide better governance under the leadership of women representatives across India. Rather, data indicated that the biggest obstacles to women sarpanches performing their role at the village level were lack of experience as leaders, lack of funding from the government for development work, lack of training for women sarpanches, and delays in sanction and permission for development work from the upper level. The chapter attempts to address the problems and challenges faced by women sarpanches in along with potential government initiatives aimed at boosting female involvement in panchayat activities.