Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992, ushering in the New Panchayati Raj system, mandated reservation of seats for women at all levels of Panchayats – one-third of total seats, and in offices of Chairperson. This landmark legislation aimed to enhance women’s participation in decision-making and promote their empowerment at the grassroots level. While hailed as a revolutionary step, the effectiveness of this instrument in truly empowering women remains a subject of debate. This answer will analyze the extent to which the New Panchayati Raj has served as an effective instrument for women’s empowerment, considering both its successes and limitations.
Provisions and Increased Political Participation
The cornerstone of women’s empowerment through Panchayati Raj is the reservation policy. This has led to a significant increase in the number of women participating in local governance. Prior to 1993, women’s representation in Panchayats was minimal. Post-73rd Amendment, it rose dramatically. According to data from the Ministry of Panchayati Raj (as of 2023, based on knowledge cutoff), over 1.3 million elected women representatives are currently serving in Panchayats across India.
Positive Impacts of Women’s Participation
- Improved Public Service Delivery: Studies have shown that Panchayats with greater female representation tend to prioritize issues like water supply, sanitation, education, and healthcare – areas often directly impacting women and children.
- Increased Focus on Gender-Specific Issues: Women representatives are more likely to raise and address issues related to gender-based violence, access to credit, and property rights.
- Enhanced Local Accountability: Women’s participation has been linked to increased transparency and accountability in local governance, reducing corruption in some instances.
- Role Modeling and Social Change: Elected women representatives serve as role models for other women in their communities, encouraging greater participation in public life and challenging traditional gender norms.
Challenges and Limitations
- Proxy Representation: A significant challenge is the prevalence of ‘proxy’ representatives, where husbands or other male relatives effectively exercise the powers of elected women representatives, particularly in states with lower literacy rates.
- Limited Decision-Making Power: Despite being elected, women often lack real decision-making power due to patriarchal norms and limited access to information and resources.
- Lack of Capacity Building: Many women representatives lack adequate training and capacity building opportunities to effectively perform their duties.
- Social Barriers: Women often face social barriers, such as restrictions on mobility and participation in public meetings, hindering their ability to represent their constituents effectively.
- Unequal Access to Resources: Women often have limited access to financial resources and political networks, hindering their ability to influence policy decisions.
Evolving Role and Recent Developments
The role of women in Panchayats is evolving. There’s a growing emphasis on providing capacity-building programs, promoting financial independence through Self-Help Groups (SHGs), and strengthening women’s political leadership. The Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao scheme (2015) indirectly supports women’s empowerment by improving their access to education, which in turn enhances their participation in local governance. Furthermore, some states are experimenting with rotating reservations, ensuring that different constituencies get opportunities for women’s representation.
Comparative Analysis – States with Higher Women Representation
| State | Women’s Representation in Panchayats (Approx.) | Key Initiatives |
|---|---|---|
| Kerala | 50% (through state legislation) | Strong SHG network, focus on gender budgeting |
| Bihar | 46% | Increased awareness campaigns, capacity building programs |
| Rajasthan | 42% | Emphasis on women’s political leadership training |
Conclusion
The New Panchayati Raj system has undoubtedly been a significant step towards women’s empowerment in India, dramatically increasing their political participation at the grassroots level. However, its effectiveness is hampered by challenges like proxy representation, limited decision-making power, and social barriers. To truly realize the potential of this instrument, sustained efforts are needed to address these limitations through comprehensive capacity-building programs, promoting financial independence, and challenging patriarchal norms. A continued focus on strengthening women’s political leadership and ensuring their genuine participation in decision-making is crucial for achieving meaningful and lasting empowerment.
Answer Length
This is a comprehensive model answer for learning purposes and may exceed the word limit. In the exam, always adhere to the prescribed word count.