Participatory Democracy of Women in Rural India: A Field-based Experience of Palli Sabha from Odisha

Abstract

Participatory democracy has gained special attention in India in recent years as it leads to transparent governance by means of decentralization and participation of citizens. The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992 provided a new space for democratic participation at the village level called Gram Sabha. In Odisha, it is called Palli Sabha (PS). The 73rd Amendment aims at providing better governance and promotes democratic participation of the downtrodden people, especially women and people belonging to the Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST). This study examines women’s participation in PS and their general perceptions about it in rural Odisha. In-depth interviews were conducted with 60 women respondents in six villages under the panchayat of Remuna Block in Balasore District of Odisha for that purpose. The findings of the study revealed that participation of women in PS is not satisfactory. Women have great apathy for participation and many of them are unaware of the usefulness of PS meetings and the flow of funds from government. Patriarchal society and low level of education lead to low interest among women members in panchayats.