Role of Women in Panchayats a Study of Alipuarduar District

Abstract

ABSTRACT : newlinePanchayati Raj Institutions have always been considered as a means to good governance and 73rd Constitutional Amendment was effected in the hope that it would lead to better governance and provide political space to the disadvantaged sections of the society like Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Women. The present study was an effort to know the extent of political participation of women in functioning as well as in the electoral process of the panchayats and the problems faced by them. Though Panchayati Raj system was introduced long back it must be noted that the District ofAlipurduar had been created in the recent year on 25th June 2014. In this section, we attempted to find out every women panchayat member s socio-economic characteristics, role, power and functions at the panchayat level. In this regard, the sample consisted of 130 women respondents from Six blocks of Alipurduar District in West Bengal . It is seen that 120 women member have participated in decision-making system and 10 members expressed their view that they cannot function independently in decision-making system. In a way or the other, they relatives, husband or other close family members. However, it is a matter of great significance that a large number of women panchayat take participate in decision-making system in panchayat level. The parochial culture, patriarchal society and low level of education are greatly responsible for their backwardness.