Political Empowerment of Women in Panchayati Raj Institutions at Grassroots Level: A Case Study in Guntur District of Andhra Pradesh

Abstract

AbstractFor the last few decades, the concept of empowerment has come to occupy a key place in almost all the countries, both developed and developing. Several issues relating to this concept have been engaging the serious attention of researchers of Social Science disciplines. Empowerment in any sphere plays an important role in molding the social, economic, and political life of people in all communities. As such, empowerment is a universal phenomenon. Unfortunately, women, who constitute about half of the total population, did not enjoy any political rights in the past in any society. In the Indian context, the political participation of women and ultimately their political empowerment have gained a lot of prominence after the enactment of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992. This landmark act made a historical beginning in the direction of political empowerment of women by providing them with 33.33 percent of reservations in the political offices in the grassroots level. This paper will discuss what empowerment is and the political empowerment of women, with the objective of assessing the extent of political knowledge and views of selected women leaders on various issues for asserting their political awareness in the Panchayati Raj Bodies, Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh. Finally, this paper will conclude with suggestions for increasing the effectiveness of women Panchayati Raj leaders in discharging their roles.