Womens Political Status and Engagement : A Study of Nagaland

Contents: 1. Introduction. 2. Political status of women in Nagaland. 3. Socio-economic variables and voting participation. 4. Participation of women in electoral activities. 5. Political awareness and its implications on participatory behaviour. 6. Summary and conclusion. Bibliography. Index.

There can be no better justification for undertaken a work of this kind in a state where half of the population of the state is still left on the periphery of the political process. Despite the introduction of modern democratic systems for more than four decades and notwithstanding the legal provisions of equality enshrined in the Indian constitution, political status of Naga women remains by and large low profiled and unrecognized. Women enjoy the right to vote and to be elected to decision making positions but these legal provisions have meant little by way of enhancing their political status.

The book aims to contextualize debates over the political status of women within the complex political and cultural space in Nagaland. The structural institutional and situational factors in the context of women voting behaviour are examined. A number of socio-economic and demographic variables that the literature survey has established as important correlates of political engagement are examined in relation to women\'s participation in the electoral process.

As the health of a democracy is enhanced by an informed, engaged and participatory citizenry, the book have examined the knowledge dimension of the women voters. Their level of political awareness is measured by a political knowledge scale that was constructed using the conventional approach. Political interest interpersonal discussion of politics and media exposure is examined to provide insights into its effects on political awareness and participatory behaviour. (jacket)