(GIST OF KURUKSHETRA) Women Empowerment

(April-2023)

Women Empowerment

Introduction

The constitution provides reservations for women at all levels of the Panchayati Raj system.
The 73rd Amendment provides for the reservation of at least one third of the total number of seats.

Status of Women’s Participation

At the national level, women as members and presidents of panchayats account for about 46% of the total number of elected representatives. In some states like Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Assam, Uttarakhand, etc. their share is more than 50%.
The majority of elected representatives did not have a long-standing political linkage.
Reservation provided the first step into politics for 83% of women elected representatives.
However, 43% of the elected representatives could not avail the opportunity to attend training.
The important determinants of good performance are:

Duration of being elected as a representative
Training
Education
Involvement in the functioning of Panchayats

It is found that states with good performance of women representatives are Kerala, Karnataka, Tripura, Maharashtra, Sikkim, and West Bengal. The states with poor performance are Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Arunachal Pradesh, and Gujarat.
Women’s participation in PRI has a positive impact on other women. For instance,

79% of women realized enhancement in their self-esteem.
74% felt empowered in decision-making.

Way Ahead

A number of recommendations were made by a roadmap of MoPR (2011-17) which can be implemented for the empowerment of women:

Provisions of women component plan in PRI budgets.
PRI of all levels should be linked with Self Help Groups (SHGs) at all levels.
Adequate training and capacity building for elected women representatives.
Horizontal and peer-to-peer learning of best practices.
Exposure visits and meetings.
Political parties should support women candidates.
Women candidates should be given the opportunity to serve the full term.
Mahila Sabhas should be encouraged to raise women’s concerns.
Women should be mobilized in their own collectives for better results. For example, the Kudumbashree network of Kerala.
The Panchayats should be devolved with appropriate powers and authorities for smooth functioning.

Conclusion:

The Constitution of India has enabled women to play a crucial role in strengthening devolved governance through the PRIs. They could play a more effective role if the suggestions are properly followed.