Published Paper Details:

Panchayati Raj system of India was enacted in order to institutionalize the village level of democratic governance and also to provide a platform to enable the rural population to decide on the solutions to the local issues. The Panchayats became a Constitution entity after the 73rd Constitutional amendment in 1992, thus strengthening the participatory manner of governance in the rural regions. It was provided by the amendment that had increased the representation of women up to 33 percent giving them a chance in political leadership. Prior to the amendment, political and social status of women were not strong, but Panchayati Raj gave them the power of making decisions. Through Panchayati Raj women are supposed to be empowered so as to have the same legal status and rights with their fellow women in the society. The women were also free to participate in the rural development through the reform. By 2015, it had seen several women Sarpanches and Heads initiating changes in education, health and sanitation within Panchayats. However, there are barriers which they faced like family pressure, deep rooted societal beliefs and lack of resources. Panchayati Raj has really promoted the empowerment of the women but still improvements are needed. Increased legal safeguards, increased material resources and women education with wholesome implementation of Panchayats will enable more effective process and therefore further empowerment of the Panchayati Raj system to the women of India.