Factors Influencing Participation of Women in Panchayati Raj Institution: A Study of Rajasthan

The present study is an attempt to know the extent of participation of women elected representative in Panchayats and the factors influencing participation of women in Panchayati Raj Institutions. Purposive sampling technique was adopted for selecting the sample consisted of 41 women elected representatives from two blocks of Karauli district of Rajasthan i. e. Hindaun and Nadoti. The tool used for obtaining information was an interview schedule. Case study and in-depth interview was also done to validate the quantitative study with qualitative. This study results shows that the reservation for women can be an important impetus to womens empowerment in Rajasthan, India on local level but it is not a guarantee for participation of the elected women. Women were actively prevented from participating in panchayat activities by male family members and other members of the panchayat itself. The male members often insisted on attending meetings in place of Elected Women Representatives (EWRs). Male panchayat members took advantage of the low levels of literacy and lack of knowledge and experience to take decisions in the absence of EWRs and tried to keep them out of important meetings. Many elected women complained that their suggestions were not considered seriously nor were they consulted while decisions were being made. Some felt that their views were ignored only because they are women. Husbands handle all the work and activities and were pressurized by their husbands to approve their decisions. The goal of womens empowerment will not be accomplished by reservations alone. The study also tried to find out the factors influencing the decisions making of women elected representatives. To expedite and speed up this process it is essential to implement some supplementary policies which encourage the self-confidence of women, build womens capabilities and remove operational obstacles. To enable women to participate and function effectively at every stage, capacity building support was needed from the beginning of the election process and through the tenure of the elected representatives. An enabling environment was required for the recognition of women as leaders and the elimination of proxy candidates.