Political Representation of Tribal Women in Arunachal Pradesh: The Case of 2013 Panchayat Raj Election in Kurung Kumey District

Abstract

Women play an important role in every society across the globe. Within tribal societies, the tribal women which constitutes nearly half of their community’s population holds special status. Thus it is imperative to ensure their equal political presence and participation in the larger process of decision-making. As studies suggest (Ota & Acharya, 2012; Satyam, 2013; Nagaraja & Kusugal, 2013) there is not a single state in the country where tribal women are given equal status with men in matter of governance including Arunachal Pradesh. In this regard, reservation under the 73rd Amendment Act (1992) has been fundamental in facilitating equal representation and participation of women in the three-tier Panchayat Raj System in India. As a result, Arunachal Pradesh is among the few states where tribal women have seen an increased representation in the Panchayat election of 2013. However, in the light of increased numbers getting into leadership roles in the Panchayats, it becomes imperative to know the quality of participation and the processes herewith. This study explores these dimensions and investigates the quality aspects of their power and authority in Nyapin Block of Kurung Kumey district in Arunachal Pradesh.