Why in News?

• A report by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj panel, chaired by former Mines Secretary Sushil Kumar, has highlighted various challenges that prevent Elected Women Representatives (EWRs) from exercising their authority independently.
• These challenges include socio-cultural norms, patriarchal biases, lack of deterrent laws, and inadequate political experience.
• The report recommends policy interventions, structural reforms, and strict penalties to curb the practice of 'Pradhan Pati', 'Sarpanch Pati', or 'Mukhiya Pati'.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Background
• Key Challenges Identified
• Recommendations and Way Forward
• Conclusion

Background:

• The committee was formed in September 2023 following a Supreme Court order (July 6, 2023).
• It conducted four regional workshops, engaging representatives from 14 states, including MP, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, UP, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, etc.
• The findings are based on interactions with state governments, EWRs, and local stakeholders.

Key Challenges Identified:

• Lack of political experience:
  • Newly elected women representatives often lack exposure and experience.
  • They struggle to discharge responsibilities effectively at different levels of the Panchayati Raj system, especially at the Gram Panchayat level.
• Gender-based discrimination:
  • Women representatives are often ignored in official and informal meetings.
  • Male elected representatives and officials prefer interacting with male counterparts.
  • This reinforces the dominance of male proxies and limits women's leadership roles.
• Patriarchal socio-cultural norms:
  • Rural society continues to follow traditional gender roles and restrictive norms such as 'purdah'.
  • Women are discouraged from speaking in male-dominated gatherings, including panchayat meetings. These practices limit their participation in governance.
• Political pressure and threats:
  • Women representatives face coercion, threats, and sometimes violence from political opponents and dominant groups.
  • 'No Confidence Motion' is often misused as a tactic to remove them from office.
• Socio-economic and cultural disadvantages:
  • Many EWRs belong to marginalized communities (SC/ST/Minorities/Disabled), increasing their vulnerabilities.
  • The burden of balancing domestic and political responsibilities limits their ability to function effectively.
  • Due to societal norms and lack of confidence, they hesitate in making financial decisions independently.
• Lack of training and mentorship:
  • Women representatives have limited access to training programs that can enhance their leadership skills.
  • Absence of mentorship restricts their ability to navigate political challenges.
• Rotational reservation system:
  • The five-year term for reserved seats is too short for women to gain experience and establish themselves as leaders.
  • It disrupts continuity in governance and weakens women's long-term political impact.
• Weak legal deterrence:
  • Existing legal provisions to penalize male relatives acting as proxies are insufficient.
  • Male relatives continue to control decision-making, undermining the de jure authority of EWRs.

Recommendations and Way Forward:

• Policy interventions: Strengthen training programs and provide legal awareness to EWRs.
• Structural reforms: Extend the duration of reservation to ensure leadership continuity.
• Exemplary penalties: Enforce strict laws against male relatives functioning as proxies.
• Capacity building: Enhance mentorship and skill development initiatives for women leaders.
• Awareness campaigns: Promote gender sensitization at all levels of governance.

Conclusion:

• The report underscores the urgent need to address systemic challenges that hinder women's effective participation in local governance.
• By implementing the recommended reforms, the government can empower EWRs, ensuring their constitutional rights and leadership roles are upheld in the Panchayati Raj system.