Women In Urban Local Governance: Empowerment Through Participation

This paper examines the question of empowerment of women in urban India through their participation in urban local bodies against the backdrop of international experience. The issue has been analysed in the light of the findings of some of the studies conducted in important states like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Kerala. The studies show, inter alia, that there has been an increase in the number of elected women in unreserved wards in successive municipal elections. Field experiences also reveal that women have not been able to participate effectively due to a number of constraints. It has been suggested that artificial measures like reservation may only ensure quantitative participation of women. Reservation per se does not guarantee empowerment. Along with a favourable political will, a number of complementary interventions need to be initiated to overhaul the patriarchal social structure. This calls for an organised and sustained mass movement to adequately represent women’s interests. The ongoing experiments and experiences suggest that periodic training, orientation and sensitisation can help women representatives perform their assigned functions in a better way. In this regard, they are to be supported by institutions like the Non-Government Organisations (NGOs), women’s organisations and above all the political parties which may politically enlighten the masses especially on the issues like gender sensitisation.