{"id":328298,"date":"2025-02-28T18:49:40","date_gmt":"2025-02-28T13:19:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/?p=328298"},"modified":"2025-02-28T21:45:38","modified_gmt":"2025-02-28T16:15:38","slug":"panel-recommendations-for-strengthening-womens-leadership-in-panchayati-raj-governance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/panel-recommendations-for-strengthening-womens-leadership-in-panchayati-raj-governance\/","title":{"rendered":"Panel Recommendations for Strengthening Women\u2019s Leadership in Panchayati Raj Governance"},"content":{"rendered":"

Source<\/strong>: The post Panel Recommendations for Strengthening Women\u2019s Leadership in Panchayati Raj Governance has been created, based on the article \u201cGENDER JUST THIRD-TIER: Addressing problem of male proxies for women panchayat heads requires persuasion, not exemplary punishment<\/strong>\u201d published in \u201cIndian Express<\/strong>\u201d on 28th February 2025<\/p>\n

UPSC Syllabus Topic:<\/strong> GS Paper 2- Polity- devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein.<\/p>\n

Context<\/strong>: The article discusses the issue of male relatives controlling decision-making in panchayati raj institutions despite women\u2019s reservations. It highlights a panel\u2019s recommendations to empower women leaders, emphasizing awareness and training over punitive actions. It stresses the need for systemic change rather than symbolic representation.<\/p>\n

For detailed information on Political Empowerment of Women<\/strong> read this article here<\/a><\/p>\n

Why was the panel formed by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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  1. The Ministry of Panchayati Raj constituted the panel to investigate cases where male relatives of women panchayat pradhans (heads) were making decisions on their behalf.<\/li>\n
  2. This issue undermines women\u2019s reservation in Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs).<\/li>\n
  3. In 2023, the Supreme Court, while hearing a petition on the misuse of women’s reservation in panchayats, declined judicial intervention and left the matter to the ministry.<\/li>\n
  4. In response, the advisory committee was formed.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    What are the key findings of the panel?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
      \n
    1. The panel found that despite 46.6% women\u2019s representation in PRIs<\/strong>, male relatives often play a dominant role in decision-making.<\/li>\n
    2. This contradicts the spirit of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act<\/strong>, which mandates women\u2019s participation in governance.<\/li>\n
    3. The Kudumbashree study (2024)<\/strong> was conducted by the Kerala government<\/strong> and the National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj<\/strong>. It revealed that the lack of training<\/strong> prevents elected women representatives (EWRs)<\/strong> from effectively participating in decision-making<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      What solutions has the panel suggested?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

      The panel recommended persuasion over punishment<\/strong> to strengthen women’s leadership. Key suggestions include:<\/p>\n