Reservations for Women in Rural and Urban Local Bodies in India : Equal Partners in Decision Making Process

Women empowerment in local governance is increasingly being recognised as an important requisite for the fulfillment of inclusive growth and sustainable development in contemporary India. Provision of 50 per cent of reservation for women in rural and urban local bodies is a right step to empower them politically. It is true that the enhancement of reservation for women in rural and urban local bodies would ensure their increased representation and participation. Today we see that a few women elected representatives of local self government institutions, who not only are accomplishing well but also are awarded their excellence in their governance in India. However it is true that gender sensitive grassroots governance under the existing system of Panchayati Raj is possible only if women gain voice and rights. Women are capable of leading the society on the right path given a chance. Thus if women were politically empowered they would be able to participate in the planning execution and implementation of developmental schemes.