All-Women Gram Panchayats in Reformation of Rural Roots

A safe domain of autonomous decision-making power and descendant accountability of local governments is an institutional set-up for developing social equity and efficiency. Through political participation, individuals empower themselves in decision-making and policy strengthening their needs. The inclusion of women and minorities in political participation in the political progression has become an important factor for proper social equity, enabling them to identify their problems and negotiate a healthier solution to certain issues. After 1993, at the grassroots level, the number of women’s political participation increased due to the implementation of the 73rd Amendment bill, which was intended to bring a reckonable change and qualitative good governance. The purpose of this paper is to examine the working conditions of all-women gram panchayats in Uttarakhand such as Rauliyana Gram Panchayat, Pachisi Gram Panchayat, Nagkorali Gram Panchayat, Latur village of Maharashtra and Bubnal Gram Panchayat in Shirol taluka, southern Maharashtra. It also highlights the reformation policies initiated by the all-women gram panchayat, and how they bring contribution to their respective villages, even during the pandemic which caused havoc in the country. It evaluates how it could be beneficial for the policy makers in other parts of the country. Finally, to find out the challenges they encountered and how it is different from mixed gram panchayat as well as to compare and contrast with the impact of rotational Panchayat seats between men and women with 50:50 reservation bill planned by the Haryana Government for the candidate of both the genders after each term.