WOMEN'S PARTICIPATION IN PANCHAYTI RAJ: Nature and Effectiveness

The landmark 73rd Amendment to the Constitution of India has definitely empowered women in terms of numbers. From the miniscule figure of 2-4 per cent in most of the Indian states, the Amendment has for the first time brought 33-40 per cent rural women into the sphere of the decision-making process. But, being in large numbers is not enough as reservation provides only the possibility of a voice for women, it does not guarantee it. This is also because the backdrop in which the reservation has been introduced in the country is marked by such factors as illiteracy, male dominance, casteism, deep-rooted cultural beliefs and values, which do not encourage women's assertion but retain them in their traditional roles of dependent spouse, mother and housewife. Amidst such social and cultural constraints, it becomes important to study the nature and effectiveness with which the women members are able to participate in the PRIs, specifically their ability to address the women´s issues at the local level.

The book is based on a comprehensive study, which looks into the whole issue of women´s participation in PRIs in the north Indian state of Haryana which is characterized by an alarming sex ratio in favour of men. The participation is studied not only from the angle of the elected women members themselves but also the elected men members, the public and most importantly by attending the Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti and Zila Parishad meetings.

Thus the focus of the study is to present a combination of both observational and empirical realities.

Pamela Singla has been teaching at the Department of Social Work, University of Delhi since 1991. Her areas of interest include Women's Welfare and Development; Social Development and Social Policy; Social Statistics; and Labour Welfare and Unorganized Sector. She has organised and participated in several national and international seminars and has written on various aspects of Social Work Practice.