Decentralised Governance and Women Empowerment

The present study tries to identify and measure the level of women participation in the grassroots democratic insti tutions in Indian. In our study we try to make an objective assessment of the kind, nature and extent of participation in the grassroots democratic institutions, particularly that of women participation and empowerment, so that a generalization could be drawn as to the operational aspect of the 'Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIS) and as to the feasibility of this novel institution to become a model to be replicated.

Rajiv Sen is an Assistant Professor in Political Science of Union Christian Training College, Berhampore, Murshidabad, West Bengal, India. He took his M.A., M.Phil., B.Ed. and Ph.D. from the University of North Bengal. He has contributed articles to many national and international level journals. He published an edited book entitled "Decentralised Development and Rural Governance in India: Challenges and Opportunities". He has completed two UGC sponsored Minor Research Projects. He is a life member of various academic associations like Indian Political Science Association.

In the second half of the 20th century, many new nations got their independence and these countries faced some common problems like poverty, unemployment, illiteracy, poor health condition, lack of awareness etc. To overcome these hindrances, they took two types of developmental planning, one is centralised planning and another is decentralised planning. In the centralised planning plans are made at the centre. In the decentralised planning plans are made at different levels such as state, district, and other lower level. A country like India, Planning Commission was established for centralised planning and side by side, decentralised planning approach was also tried from early 1950s in the form of Community Development Programmes. But, the Panchayati Raj System received constitutional recognition after the 73 Constitutional Amendment Act in 1992. West Bengal is one of the states which have made some progress in the implementation of the intention and spirit of the Constitutional Amendment Act, but full realization of the objectives behind the Amendment Act is miles away.

The Idea of decentralised governance is not a new concept in Indian context. But it was very much influenced by western political thoughts. Apart from the Gandhi's vision of 'Village Republic', Indian decision makers are not serious about implementing the policy of democratic decentralisation popularly known as 'Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIS)' before the 73rd Amendment of the Constitution. This Amendment opens a door for common people in general and women in particular to participate in the grassroots governance through newly created institutions like Gram Sabha and Gram Sansad. The women at the grassroots were given 33 per cent reservation in the Panchayati Raj bodies. As a result, in every Panchayat election, 10 lakh women enter to the democratic process of the country and they are involved in tasks of village welfare. Women can take part in the decision making process, planning and evaluation of the rural developmental programmes which has improved their livelihood. The participation of women in Panchayats tends to have dynamic effects on the social and political empowerment of women and it is essential for a gender just and equitable society.

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