Abstract
Technological advancement has mandated many elected representatives to use social media for socio-political participation, participatory development, and currently to create awareness about COVID-19. Examining the social media usage experiences of elected women Panchayati Raj representatives during the COVID-19 pandemic reveals insights into their efforts towards creating awareness on COVID-19, ease of communication during the pandemic, increased involvement in developmental issues, and the challenges faced by them. The qualitative data that emerged from the in-depth interview are analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s (2006) thematic analysis method. The participants experienced instances of positive outcomes, overcoming the limitations caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and fighting against it. The elected representative become more accountable and sensitive to the development issues arising in their constituency and look for ingenious ways to solve them. Apart from the administrative and Panchayat related activities, social media platforms are also used to extend help and services to the poor and disadvantaged sections of the society during this difficult time. Critical development issues such as water and environment protection are also dealt with effectively through social media platforms.
Highlights
COVID-19 has brought the whole world down to its knees at its peak
For local governments in India, social media is being increasingly used for keeping citizens safe and informed while the nation worked to flatten the curve of COVID-19
This study has the following research objectives. - To explore nature, pattern, and purposes of social media usage by women representatives of PRIs. - To explore the use of social media for participatory development, especially on important societal issues; sanitation and health by elected women representatives of the PRIs during COVID-19. - To study the women representatives’ experience of using social media for life and work, at PRI and its impacts on them. - To study the barriers in utilizing social media in facilitating development of their constituencies
Summary
COVID-19 has brought the whole world down to its knees at its peak. that the world is trying to get back on its feet, people everywhere see a ray of hope to feel the normalcy. For local governments in India, social media is being increasingly used for keeping citizens safe and informed while the nation worked to flatten the curve of COVID-19. Women's participation at the local self- government was ensured, by the historic 73rd and 74th amendments in the Indian constitution in the year 1992, by facilitating 33% reservation for women in the Indian rural governance process. This landmark amendment enabled women to participate in Gram Panchayats and other local institutional level meetings (Phukan, Kumar, & Majeed, 2018). The use of social media is ideal for the same in the changing times of technology especially during the pandemic
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