Of women, politics and panchayats
Nirantar is a Dehli-based resource group that actively provides inputs to NGOs in the field. Drawing on its experience of working with women panchayat (local government) members in Banda district, Uttar Pradesh, India, this paper explores what motivates women to stand for panchayat elections and why it is difficult for them to enter the panchayat system and effectively participate in it. The paper also takes a critical look at the widespread belief that the reservation of seats in panchayat bodies for women candidates has not really empowered them.