Decentralization And Participatory Democracy– Women In Panchayati Raj Institutions

Abstract

This research paper aims to highlight India’s vision of entering into2047 as a VIKASIT BHARAT with inclusive approach. India plans to march on its journey of completing 100 years of independence with an inclusive approach. This paper highlights the efforts government has been taking for improving women’s participation in the politics and policy making at grass root level. Decentralization of power in India can be traced back to Chola period. Gandhiji through his idea of Gram Swaraj further popularized the concept of democratic decentralization. But any nation could not succeed without participation of half of its population i.e. women who constitute a major portion of the population. Without including them in the process seems like leaving half of the population behind. For ensuring participation of the women in the democratic process government introduced 73^rd Amendment Act to the constitution providing reservation for the women in the Panchayti Raj System.  But this is not without challenges. Illiteracy, backward mindset, male domination and cultural barriers are difficult to break. With help of Government increase in literacy, social changes and changing dimension of society India would definitely march into 2047 as an egalitarian socireed and gender.ety with equal distribution of power beyond caste.

Keywords: Democracy, Panchayati Raj System, poltics, governance, women