Year: 2024
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Empowerment research has attained a worldwide scale and scope, remaining a fundamental principle in international community development discussions. Currently, empowerment has been employed worldwide by scholars, relief workers, social activists, and resistance leaders as a response to oppression to articulate their concerns. Empowerment is widely regarded as an alternative development paradigm that liberates individuals from poverty via not only economic advancement but also psychological, social, and political empowerment. India is structured hierarchically by a centuries-old caste system and is traditionally a patriarchal country. Indian society is profoundly fragmented by caste, race, and class, with women historically constituting an oppressed demographic. The political engagement of increasingly marginalized social groups in India was initiated by the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments, which significantly enhanced the participation of impoverished women in Panchayat Raj Institutions (PRIs). It marks the commencement of a new epoch of democratic engagement for women in local self-governing entities, highlighting that women's issues such as health, nutrition, family income, and education now occupy a central role in Panchayati Raj Institutions and village development boards.The involvement of women in local self-governance is predominantly regarded as a means to enhance their political empowerment at the local level. Nevertheless, the experience indicates differently, as the persistent exercise of patriarchy and male supremacy inside current political parties and institutions has resulted in women's participation remaining tokenistic, despite their election to positions of power. Elected women in office are often subjected to control by their political party leaders or spouses. Some elected women are recognized by their husbands' names. The role of women in PRIs predominantly persisted as representatives for their husbands or other influential organizations. This study investigated the political empowerment of women via Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), specifically in the Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir. The study examined the socio-economic situation of elected female representatives and the awareness and constitutional knowledge of women in PRIs. It monitored the PRI's impact on women's status. The study ultimately assessed the perceptions of elected female representatives regarding their success and their satisfaction with their roles in the decision-making process.
Author: Kabir Safira
Institution: Lovely Professional University
Language: English
Subfield: Gender Studies
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4405545997