GENDER POLITICS AND QUOTA FOR WOMEN IN INDIA
Keywords:
gender politics, quota for women, panchayati raj institutions, women empowerment, democracyAbstract
Women’s numbers in formal decision-making bodies have not increased over the years in India. The statistical records show that there has been only a marginal increase in the last few decades in the number of women candidates fielded during the elections. Women’s enhanced participation in governance structures is viewed as the key to redress gender politics and inequalities in societies, especially in India. The main premise of this study is that the quota for women in the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRI) in India strengthens the political empowerment of women, transforms the democracy and provides an answer to gender politics in India. It is widely recognised that reservation of seats for women in the local bodies and women’s proactive participation on a large scale in the management of the local affairs in the villages has enhanced their status and rights. Thus reservation for women in PRI contributes to the process and project of women’s empowerment.
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