While Members of Parliament are hopping mad over 33% women’s reservation in Parliament, the Maharashtra state government has demanded that the central government raise women’s reservation to 50% for all local self governing bodies.
“We are seeing a social movement building through the number of women participating in local self-governing bodies, right from village panchayats to the district level,” said minister of state for women and child welfare Fauziya Khan.
She attributes it to the empowerment of women over the last decade. “The fact is government schemes are reaching women and empowering them. Also, women are skilled administrators,” Khan said.
Activists say the turning point in Maharashtra’s villages has been the small savings groups. The financial empowerment has given women the confidence to take decisions right up to the district level.
“The small savings groups have helped women come together. They share experiences to get empowered. We tell them bachat satta te raj satta… from small savings groups to politics,” said Bhim Raskar, of Mahila Raj Satta Andolan. Today, there are 9,448 women sarpanches in the state.
Archana Jatkar, 38, sarpanch of Pokhri in Yavatmal, conducts workshops and seminars for women to help them enter politics. She had approached women through small savings groups and convinced them about importance of water, health and education. Today, Jatkar has ensured that girls pursue higher education. She also introduced a major drinking water scheme and got awards for her village.
“I am empowered today. Education helps for sure,” said Jatkar who holds a diploma in pharmacy.
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