Women in local bodies

Abstract

In between 1974, the year the Committee on the Status of Women in India was constituted and 1995, the year of the Fourth International Conference on Women in Beijing came the 73rd Amendment of the Constitution of India, which endeavours to bring women to one third of the seats of elected representatives in panchayats and urban local bodies. This amendment has opened a new chapter in the history of women’s struggles for empowerment. It has been indefatigable updeluge swimming regarding women’s efforts, which have been relentless, long-drawn, and against formidable odds. Studies made on the implementation of this constitutional directive indicated that at the initial stages, even top-level political leaders failed to appreciate the rationale for women’s participation in politics. Nor did women who came to leadership positions fully understand the scope and implications of their new roles.