Role of women in strengthening village republic: A study of Biraul block, Darbhanga (Bihar)
By: Jha, Diwakar Kumar and Chandra, Shweta
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Material type: 
BookPublisher: Bihar Journal of Public Administration Description: 22(1-S), Jan-Jun, 2025: p.219-228.Subject(s): Village republic, Women, Governance, Decision making, PRIs, Bihar
In:
Bihar Journal of Public AdministrationSummary: The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act (CAA) has two basic aims – first, to realise the Gandhian dream of Gram Swaraj (village republic) and second, accelerate the pace of rural development. Gandhi’s village republic encompasses inclusive governance and economic self-reliance. He also believed that without active and equal participation of women in the local public affairs, we cannot imagine to achieve these goals. It is true that the institution of village republic existed from ancient period, especially in Bihar but foreign invasions and colonial rule had ruined such institutions of self-governance. Bihar took the lead in establishing Panchayat Raj system just after independence but it did not continue properly. Passing through various phases from recommendations of Balwant Roy Mehta committee to 64th Constitutional Amendment Bill, Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) were finally revived by 73rd CAA which ensured women’s participation through reservation of seats for them. But maladies emerged in the shape of phenomenon of ‘proxy leadership’, popularly known as ‘Mukhiya Pati’. After passage of almost three decades, thus, it makes an urgent imperative to examine the actual and self-assertive role of elected women panchayat representatives (EWPRs), underlining the challenges faced by them and suggesting measures for their substantive roles. As such, the present paper attempts to explore the actual role played by women in Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) by conducting a survey in Biraul Block of Darbhanga district of Bihar. On the basis of empirical study, the paper finds that women’s participation in decision-making processes has potential to bring forth even such issues that are often overlooked and thus, enriching the local governance. However, they face challenges like patriarchal norms, lack of education, leadership training and e-readiness.- Reproduced
http://www.iipabiharbranch.org/upload/BJPA_Vol.%20XXII%20No%201_S%20%20Jam-June%202025.pdf
| Item type | Current location | Call number | Vol info | Status | Date due | Barcode |
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Articles
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Indian Institute of Public Administration | 22(1-S), Jan-Jun, 2025: p.219-228 | Available | AR137441 |
The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act (CAA) has two basic aims – first, to realise the Gandhian dream of Gram Swaraj (village republic) and second, accelerate the pace of rural development. Gandhi’s village republic encompasses inclusive governance and economic self-reliance. He also believed that without active and equal participation of women in the local public affairs, we cannot imagine to achieve these goals. It is true that the institution of village republic existed from ancient period, especially in Bihar but foreign invasions and colonial rule had ruined such institutions of self-governance. Bihar took the lead in establishing Panchayat Raj system just after independence but it did not continue properly. Passing through various phases from recommendations of Balwant Roy Mehta committee to 64th Constitutional Amendment Bill, Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) were finally revived by 73rd CAA which ensured women’s participation through reservation of seats for them. But maladies emerged in the shape of phenomenon of ‘proxy leadership’, popularly known as ‘Mukhiya Pati’. After passage of almost three decades, thus, it makes an urgent imperative to examine the actual and self-assertive role of elected women panchayat representatives (EWPRs), underlining the challenges faced by them and suggesting measures for their substantive roles. As such, the present paper attempts to explore the actual role played by women in Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) by conducting a survey in Biraul Block of Darbhanga district of Bihar. On the basis of empirical study, the paper finds that women’s participation in decision-making processes has potential to bring forth even such issues that are often overlooked and thus, enriching the local governance. However, they face challenges like patriarchal norms, lack of education, leadership training and e-readiness.- Reproduced
http://www.iipabiharbranch.org/upload/BJPA_Vol.%20XXII%20No%201_S%20%20Jam-June%202025.pdf
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