When we hear of a “Sarpanch” of a Panchayath in India, what do we imagine? A grey-haired old man with a white turban and dhoti… That’s the way they are depicted in movies and stories. But today the picture has changed.

What is the Panchayati Raj System?
The Panchayati Raj system is a form of decentralization of the political structure where powers are given to the villages, Talukas (block level) and Zillas (district level) to govern themselves. This created political awareness among the rural and local people, as well as helped in solving their immediate needs without outside interference.

In India, this was not a new concept. Panchayath bodies existed during ancient and medieval India, which were councils of five persons who made executive and judicial decisions. With time, these ‘samitis’ and ‘sabhas’ lost importance and they were again introduced to modern India during the British rule, with Viceroy Lord Mayo’s resolution of 1870, and later the Government of India Act of 1935.

But after independence, the recommendations of the report of Balwant Rai Mehta committee were accepted in 1958 and Jawaharlal Nehru officially inaugurated the Panchayath raj system at the village level, Taluk level and district levels in 1959 in Rajasthan. It was in 1993 that the 73rd and 74th constitutional amendment acts came to force to ensure participation of people in local self government.

Since the primary purpose of PRIs was to bring direct attention to the underdeveloped society, which included all the socially and economically backward communities and women, reservations are made for the chairmanship and membership of the Panchayath bodies. Article 243D of the Constitution provided not less than 1/3rd of reserved seats for women, i.e. 33%; but many states like Assam, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Jharkhand and 15 others went ahead and extended this to as high as 50% . By 2021, Karnataka, Odisha and other states saw more than 50% participation in the PRI posts of women, which means women are securing posts even in wards that are not reserved for them.

In a male-dominated society, giving political powers to control and develop society to women who were not considered worthy enough even to control their own lives was a big step.

Do Women Make Better Leaders?
In order to achieve a balanced and just society, it is essential to give women equal representation as they constitute nearly half of the population. Empowering those who have been historically suppressed can lead to greater efforts towards self-improvement and change. Research has found that women tend to be more determined and approachable, better able to understand problems, and less likely to be self-interested. In addition to addressing budgetary, infrastructure, and institutional issues that have traditionally been considered male domains, female leaders tend to prioritize basic amenities such as healthcare, education, and food security. As a result, they often bring about more tangible and practical changes in society. Furthermore, women leaders tend to place greater emphasis on women’s and children’s welfare departments, resulting in broader social development.

The increased number of women’s self-help groups in regions represented by women, particularly in West Bengal, has paved the way for a range of positive developments. These include increased female literacy rates, efforts to combat alcoholism, improved access to medical care for women, and greater employment opportunities. By providing women with a greater role in decision-making, we can help create a more equitable and just society for all. It is therefore critical that we continue to support and encourage women’s leadership and participation in all spheres of life. By doing so, we can build a stronger, more resilient society that is better able to meet the needs of all its citizens.
Raseela Dhodi, a member of the Panchayath of Dongari village of Thane district of Maharashtra in an interview given to Anupama Khatakam said that women understand the problems related to water, roads and health better as compared to the elected males, who are involved in politics and do not give attention to the actual problems.

Challenges
Despite progress made in recent years, attaining and maintaining political power has not been without challenges for women. In the early stages, many women who were elected to public office were perceived as simply filling seats and were often subject to the influence of male members of their governing bodies as well as family members.

This led to the rise of “sarpanch-patis” in many areas where the husbands began representing the woman leader. There are some reports of husbands attending the meetings and taking oaths on their behalf.. Since the woman representatives are considered less capable, the husband tries to “look after everything” and pushes the woman’s role to a nominal one. This completely reverses the efforts for women’s empowerment.

In the article “Are Husbands The Problem?” by Rachel Brule, Simon Chauchard, and Alyssa Heinze, a group of Panchayat members were tested on their understanding of the responsibilities and functions of a president. Even when their husbands were not present, women were found to be 14% less likely to answer than male members. Despite progress made by some women leaders who have been able to exercise their power more freely, the wider society has not fully adapted to working under the direction of women. Women in rural areas, in particular, often lack basic literacy and digital skills, as well as knowledge of the political system, making them less likely to contest elections or use their power effectively if elected.

For progress to be made, it is essential for women to use the opportunities provided to them and demonstrate their capacity to bring about change in society and themselves. The representation of women in Panchayat Raj institutions has provided a direct opportunity for women to expand their horizons and become active participants in democracy. By doing so, they can help challenge the existing norms that have hindered women’s progress and demonstrate their potential as leaders.

• In a male-dominated society, giving political powers to control and develop society to women who were not considered worthy enough even to control their own lives was a big step.
• When we hear of a “Sarpanch” of a Panchayath in India, what do we imagine? A grey-haired old man with a white turban and dhoti… That’s the way they are depicted in movies and stories. But today the picture has changed.