Question : WOMEN REPRESENTATION IN PANCHAYATS

 

(a) whether there has been an increase in women representation after the implementation of the Panchayati Raj System in the country;  

(b) if so, the details thereof alongwith the position about elected women representatives or women sarpanches in the country, State/UT-wise;  

(c) whether the Government has carried out any assessment of the qualitative changes that came after increased women representation in Panchayats of the country; and  

(d) if so, the details and the outcome thereof?    

MINISTER OF PANCHAYATI RAJ (SHRI V. KISHORE CHANDRA DEO)

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

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN PART (A) TO (D) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 518 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11TH MAY, 2012 REGARDING WOMEN REPRESENTATION IN PANCHAYATS

(a) & (b): As per the information available in the State of Panchayats Report (SoPR) – 2008-09 brought out in 2010 by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) through the Institute of Rural Management, Anand, there has been a progressive overall increase in the percentage of participation of Elected Women Representatives (EWRs) in Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs). The percentage of EWRs for the year 2000, 2008 and 2010 in different States / UTs is at Annex. 

(c) & (d): A nationwide Study Report on EWRs in PRIs got conducted by MoPR was released on 24.04.2008. The findings of the Study indicated positive representation and empowerment of EWRs including enhancement in their self-esteem, confidence and decision-making abilities, their increased interaction with Line Departments and parallel bodies, decrease in gender based discrimination against them, recognition from their peers and community for work done by them, freedom experienced by them to raise issues during Gram Sabha meetings.