Role of Women in Panchayati Raj: Practical Problems(EN)

Gender-based discrimination has a long and critical history globally. Its evidence, incidents, and ideological disagreements can still be observed in the 21st century. In India, gender-based discrimination has always been a matter of concern. Social, economic, political, and educational institutions have been continuously striving to eliminate this discrimination. The government has constantly needed to make efforts to ensure women are in decisive roles. 68 percent of India's population lives in rural settings. The Panchayati Raj system directly affects the rural structure. Half of India's population is women, but their participation in politics, administration, and decision-making is negligible. In the social system of rural areas, women's sphere of work was limited to within the four walls of the house. To ensure their role in rural politics, the Panchayati Raj system was granted constitutional status through the 73rd Constitutional Amendment of 1992. Through this, a provision for one-third reservation was made to ensure at least 33% participation of women in the Panchayati Raj system (50% in some states). However, the problem of women's leadership in India is not a policy issue but a practical one, which manifests before us socially, politically, familially, educationally, and religiously. This problem is one of attitude towards women in all these areas. This research paper studies the practical problems faced by women's leadership in the Panchayati Raj system, examining social, economic, educational, administrative, and security and respect aspects.