Women empowerment in Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIS): Problems and prospects

Page: 425-428

Neetu and Priyadarshini Purohit (Department of Political Science and Public Administration, Banasthali Vidyapith, Rajasthan)

Constitution of India provides equal status to both women and men, it provides special provisions to empower females because of their secondary status in society. They are discriminated against in all walks of life, it is assumed that women are inferior and they have no such talent which is required in decision-making in every field, but this is not a reality. Women and men both are born with the same talent but women are considered inferior in society. Their participation is very significant in decision making process not only for their empowerment but also to make democratic governance efficacious. To empower women 73rd Constitutional Amendment was passed in 1992, which provides 33% reservation to women at grass root level. This Amendment was a historic step in the path of women empowerment, it gives them opportunity to influence decision-making process. Women’s access into PRIs has pushed them into decision-making process both as member as well as heads of panchayats in a vastmanner by this act. This has changed their lives in a tremendous manner, they have changed from a “household women” to “political women”. A huge number of women have come forward to actively participate at grass root level in decision making process. Before this their picture was limited only 2 to 3 percent. Women have empowered by Panchayati Raj Institutions but still they have to cover a long path of their journey to achieve the goal of empowerment in actual sense.