Question : ELECTED WOMEN REPRENTATIVES

(a) the number of elected women representatives in the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in the country, State/UT-wise;

(b) whether the Government has conducted any study on the qualitative changes that have been brought about in the socio-economic conditions of women through their increased participation in PRIs;

(c) if so, the details and the outcome thereof, State/ UT-wise; and

(d) the strategy chalked out by the Government to uplift the socio-economic conditions of the women in the country?

MINISTER OF PANCHAYATI RAJ (SHRI CHAUDHARY BIRENDER SINGH)

(a) to (d) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN PARTS (a) to (d) OF REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 152 FOR 05.03.2015, REGARDING ELECTED WOMEN REPRESENTATIVES.

(a) As per information received from 27 States and 02 UTs, there are around 12.70 lakh Elected Women Representatives (EWRs) in Panchayats. State/UT- wise details are at Annex.

(b) & (c): Yes, Sir. A nationwide study on EWRs in Panchayats commissioned by Ministry of Panchayati Raj published in 2008 indicated empowerment of EWRs including inter-alia, enhancement in their self- esteem, confidence and decision making abilities. The study also indicated that the participation of women in Gram Sabhas had increased, as had attention to women related issues such as drinking water and sanitation. The study reported that EWRs had made efforts to encourage girls enrolment in schools and mitigate domestic violence.

(d) Ministry of Panchayati Raj has supported capacity building of EWRs and participation of women in Gram Sabha. States have been urged to facilitate holding of separate Mahila Sabha before Gram Sabha where the women can raise and discuss issues concerning them. Ministry of Panchayati Raj in collaboration with Ministry of Women & Child Development and the States, has taken up the issues of Adverse Child Sex Ratio using the fora of Panchayats, Gram Sabhas and Mahila Sabhas to raise awareness about the issue and encourage peoples participation in tackling the problem.