IJFANS International Journal of Food and Nutritional Sciences

ISSN PRINT 2319 1775 Online 2320-7876

EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN THROUGH PARTICIPATION IN PANCHAYAT RAJ SYSTEM IN EAST SIANG DISTRICT OF ARUNACHAL PRADESH

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Dharmendra Rai and Dr. Deepali Singh

Abstract

Women constitute about half of the Indian population. In the 73rd and 74th Amendment Acts of 1992, the Panchayat Raj System was established in India in the year 1968 when the NEFA Panchayat Act 1967 was passed in Arunachal Pradesh. This system provided grass-roots level democracy. In particular, rural women were not getting their due segment in the development process. Women’s equal participation in political activities plays a pivotal role in the development of the country’s political system. In the political participation of the country, women are still behind. The status of women in terms of political participation is very low in India as well as in Arunachal Pradesh. In the state, the provision of the 73rd Amendment Act was implemented only after the enactment of the Arunachal Pradesh Panchayat Raj Act, 1997. After the implementation of the 1997 Act, three-tiered Panchayat structures were constituted in almost all the villages. Unlike earlier, it is now constitutionally mandatory to constitute Panchayat bodies. The power and function of the reservation of seats for women in the Panchayat bodies at different levels are clearly provided under this Act. If equal opportunities are given to women to take part in Panchayati Raj, it will lead towards women's empowerment in particular and social development in general. In this present paper, I attempt to make some recommendations to the governments, along with the support of political parties, NGO’s, stakeholders, academicians, and the general public, to take necessary actions such as conducting a free and fair election; creating political awareness among women, particularly in rural areas, special training and refresher courses for women representatives, particularly in rural areas; Make special provisions for the female representatives and give them more powers as compared to their male counterparts and educate them about their powers. It helps them work efficiently and effectively.

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