Women in Panchayats (A Study of Role Conflict)

The 73rd and 74's Amendments to the Constitution of India are landmark in our uni-federal structure. These have created 'federations within the federation'. One major provision of these enactments is the reservation of seats to women belonging to all sections of the society to the tune of not less than one- third of the total elected members at the grassroots level units of governance. This revolutionary move has assured the political participation of women in local governance. It's a historical step in the male dominated traditional society of the country, where women are generally not allowed to venture out their homes all alone. Their main responsibility is confined to home management only. The comparatively less literate or many a time illiterate women have been saddled with a new responsibility of decision making at the local level government. This has led to a situation of conflicts between the traditional (family bound) and ascribed (political) roles of the women. This volume is the revised and upgraded version of a research study conducted under the auspices of the National Commission for Women in 2007. It is a study of role conflicts among women representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions in the most populated state. However the story is more or less throughout the country, except in southern states where women in general are educated and hence more aware than those of northern states. The conflicts areas relate to the ascribed roles, familial roles and self related roles of women representatives in all the three tiers of PRIs. The findings are eye openers for all the stakeholders including the government, administrators, researchers, academia and citizenry.