Role of Panchayat Raj in Women Empowerment: Regional Analysis of India

Abstract

The main objective of the study is assessing the role of women in politics. Indian constitution promised a complete quality to women. 73rd and 74th Amendment Acts of 1992, Panchayati Raj system was established in India. This act empowered the rural women by giving one-third reservations to them. Rural women were the one who were more away from the development work. Now, they know what role should be played by them in the political system. Once political status is improved, it makes them economically empowered and their social status is also improved. This helps to remove the social evils like child marriage, illiteracy and others. 73rd and 74th Amendment Act of 1992 brought a tremendous change in the participation of women in political system. This grassroot level democracy of women to participate in government decision-making and active participation in Panchayat Raj system makes rural women to think about their rights. This made them to change their social status. Women in India are much better represented in the Panchayat Raj Institutions as compared with the Parliament. As per the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, in 2008 the Gram Panchayats had 37.8% women members, the Intermediate Panchayats 37% women members and the District Panchayats 35.3% women members. In Panchayat Raj system, women representatives show tremendous increase in political participation. According to Indian Institute of Public Administration and Ministry of Panchayati Raj, during 2012–2013 in the Panchayat setup, overall 46.7% women are present; with maximum 58.6% in Jharkhand and minimum 32.3% in Goa. This study basically explores the active participation of women in Panchayat Raj system. It includes the state-wise analysis of elected women representatives in the three levels of Panchayati Raj Institutions; this study is based on the secondary sources of data.