Women's Political Representation in Local Governance in North Karnataka: An Intersectional Analysis of Caste and Gender.

Abstract Women’s political representation at the grassroots level has become an important dimension of democratic decentralisation in India. The constitutional recognition of Panchayati Raj Institutions and the introduction of reservations for women and socially disadvantaged groups have significantly expanded women’s presence in local governance. However, numerical representation does not necessarily result in equal political participation or effective decision-making power. This paper examines women’s political representation in local governance in North Karnataka through the intersection of caste and gender. It argues that women’s political experiences are shaped not only by their gender but also by caste, social status, family structures, education, economic position and local power relations. Karnataka provides an important context for this analysis because its Panchayati Raj framework provides reservation for women within seats reserved for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Backward Classes as well as within non-reserved seats. The paper draws upon secondary literature, constitutional provisions, the Karnataka Gram Swaraj and Panchayat Raj Act, and existing studies of local governance. Particular attention is given to the distinction between descriptive representation and substantive representation. The paper concludes that reservation has created important institutional opportunities for women’s entry into local politics, while the extent to which this representation becomes effective political participation depends upon the interaction of caste relations, patriarchal structures, political awareness, education, family support and institutional conditions.