Women in Panchayats in Gujarat act as proxy of other male individuals, says a study undertaken by the CEPT University. The authors of the study on 'Women and Local Governance: Role of Women in Village Panchayats in Gujarat' have attempted to capture the participation of women in rural governance, their decision-making capacities and involvement in carrying out the administrative duties.
The study conducted by Janki Joshi, a Masters programme student of Faculty of Planning undertook the study with professor Madhu Bharti, was based on field study carried out in two villages of Sabarkantha district in Gujarat. Interestingly, the above study has been awarded as 'Best Thesis under Gender Studies' by the Gender Parity Mission of the CEPT University.
Speaking about the same, professor Bharti said, "The feudal attitude of looking down upon the capabilities and capacities of women still prevails at different levels in our society. With the passing of 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act (73 CAA), it was expected that a transition in the political involvement of the women in rural governance would take place giving them a statutory status."
Sharing details of the study, 23-year-old Janki who now works with the State Rural Development Department said, "We took two villages namely Nava Gam and Raigarh to interact with residents and women elected members. The study reveals that the reservation for women has impacted their stake in the Panchayat but not to that extent that they may emerge out as leaders. Women in most of the cases are bound by their duties particularly on managing the households and their family and hence feel restricted from functioning as an efficient member of the Panchayat. They were observed having low education levels and were overshadowed by male family members. We also found that in some cases, women wanted to take leadership and decisions but they were not heard by the villagers."
The study further revealed that often the husbands of the elected members take the decisions, act as power centers and are recognized as 'Sarpanch-pati' largely. Elected members were found having limited knowledge about their duties and responsibilities. In many cases, they also felt inhibited to speak especially when they are in large male dominated assemblies. Those who gather courage and strength to speak, received very little respect or attention. Women were thus, largely said to have pawn status in the functioning of the Panchayat."
The study recommended that there is a need to enhance the quality of participation of women in Panchayat meetings.
POWER POLITICS
The study further revealed that often the husbands of the elected members make decisions, act as power centres and are recognised as ‘Sarpanch-pati’ largely
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Panchayats")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}