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Local Governance
The 73rd Constitutional Amendment paved the
way for women and other marginalized social groups in India to exercise
their political rights in local self-governance and participate in
grassroots politics. Introduced in 1993, it stated that no less than one
third of the seats in the panchayats (village councils) should be reserved
for women, including those from Scheduled Castes and Tribes. It also ruled
that in each panchayat the number of seats allotted to Scheduled Castes
and Tribes should be in proportion to their representation in the local
population. Although in theory women and other socially deprived groups
now have a political voice in the panchayats, there are still a number of
barriers that hinder their effective participation in local
governance:
Lack of Political Knowledge: Marginalized peoples are often
unaware that they are entitled to seats in the panchayats. They are
unfamiliar with the election process and do not know how to nominate a
candidate or how to go about voting. Some aren't even aware that they are
eligible to vote.
Lack of Training and Education: Most panchayat members
from marginalized groups are illiterate and have had little opportunity to
develop the skills required to carry out their governance duties. As a
result, their powerful colleagues often do not recognize them as leaders
and fail to listen to them in meetings or involve them in decision-making
processes.
Lack of Confidence: Women and lower caste elected members are
usually too afraid to talk in front of, or contest the opinions of, the
economically powerful higher castes that dominate the panchayats. In most
instances husbands of elected women carry out all their official duties on
their behalf.
Lack of Participation: The presence of women and lower caste
representatives at panchayat meetings is often merely of token value. They
are made to sit on the floor at the back of meetings while the upper
castes take centre stage.
Intimidation: Women and other marginalized people
have faced threats, malicious propaganda and violence both while they are
contesting elections and after they are elected.
Objectives
To promote the active participation of women
and other politically voiceless groups in local self governance,
encouraging them to make use of it as a forum to discuss their
problems and issues. |
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To put pressure on the government to
effectively implement existing laws designed to transfer power to the
panchayats. |
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To develop the capacities of the panchayat
elected representatives to manage the local governance by themselves. |
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To initiate micro-level planning in the panchayats which addresses the needs and aspirations of the people. |
Activities
Raising people's awareness of the importance of
participating in the Gram Sabha (the village general assembly) and of
fulfilling the expectations of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment. |
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Conducting training sessions with women and
other socially marginalized panchayat members to strengthen their
leadership qualities and provide them with the skills and information
they need to carry out their duties effectively. |
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Enabling panchayat members to make development
plans that address the specific needs of their villages. In
particular, making sure that woman and other socially marginalized
groups contribute to this planning process. |
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Holding workshops that give elected members the
opportunity to interact directly with government officials and to
present the practical problems they face working in the panchayati
system. |
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Initiating campaigns, advocacy and group networking to strengthen women's role in the panchayat processes. |