Politics of Inclusion: Scheduled Tribe Women in Local Governance

Abstract

Despite the political inclusion of Scheduled Tribe women in panchayats and the claims to equality of opportunity in political participation, the political marginalisation of Scheduled Tribe women continues. Political exclusion is a consequence of their exclusion at the macro and micro levels of social and economic domains. To make their presence in governance more effective institutional strategies should be complemented by political commitment to improve their access to development resources, training and extension, and a facilitating role by civil society associations.