Women in Panchayats: A partnership that works

Aloka Kujur, Ranchi

In the tribal society of Jharkhand, women have always held a pride of place.  They have always been aware, vocal and pro-active in many areas of family and community life.  What would be interesting is to overlay this traditional role to the processes of Panchayati raj that are being strengthened in this state which has seen a long hiatus in the working of democracy at the grassroots.  Elections to panchayats, for instance, were held after 32 long years. 

It is in the election results that a convergence became clear, between the role of women, evolved over generations, with a more direct opportunity to influence and impact governance at the local level. The reservation of 33% seats for women in local governance began in the early 90’s was a step to concretise this intent. The policy flowing out of the 73rd Amendment, followed by steps taken by the state government to reserve 50% of seats in Panchayati Raj for women has served to concretize this role. Close to 27,000 women were elected at various levels in the three-tier Panchayati Raj.

These are the underlying  processes that have marked the lives of women like Salma Besra, up-mukhiya of Baisila village of Sohda of East Singhbhum District, who was elected unopposed. She is school-educated and from a young age was driven by a social mission.  She says, “I wanted to get involved with social work after my education because I have seen the poverty of the person standing on the lowest step of society’s ladder.”

The turning point for this young woman came soon after her father’s untimely death.  She chose to discontinue her studies to plunge in to work as a social activist.  She began by fulfilling what she saw as a gap in knowledge and awareness amongst people related to their welfare, entitlements for their betterment.  She spoke to people about the things she had learnt or understood: the importance of education and healthcare, the need for good roads and how they could benefit from a slew of existing government schemes.

Yet, she realized that something was missing. Despite her efforts, villagers remained unmoved in terms of taking action to obtain their entitlements, to take steps on their own towards the village’s development. Nor was she, as a leader, able to take steps which could demonstrate the good that such steps could bring. 

This was a point of revelation for young Salma, who saw the immense potential of power within the governance system to make that change.  This coincided with an opportunity to stand for elections which Salma decided to contest. She won; thus began a fresh stream of consciousness, both personal and public. She was elected Ward Member; and later, Up-Mukhiya. Right from the beginning, the access to power was to better the lives of people who she represented.  She says with a new-found authority, “Now, I am in a position where I can make decisions. I can prepare development programs for villages and also suggest new policies. I am able to do many more things for my village.” 

Somewhere, she believes, it is education that shaped her, her expanding vision for society.  She uses her clout within society to proclaim the importance for education for all. 

It is clear that women like Salma have benefitted from the move to bring women’s participation in local governance, centre-stage.  But she, along with all the others who have now entered what was once the hallowed precincts of authority, represent an aspiration of more representative, holistic, responsive governance.   In this tribal dominated society, in the social, economical and political system that has evolved over time, the role of women has always been significant.  With the strengthening of the Panchayati Raj institution by the Indian Constitution and the adherence to its letter and spirits by the state government, this could bring in a new influence in the processes of governance which will be the harbinger of change on the ground.  

Charkha Features