Women Leadership in Municipal Local Institutions: A Study of Elected Women Leaders in Haryana

The Urban Local Leadership and the Municipal Bodies couldn’t perform their responsibility effectively and efficiently. So need of the municipal reforms was largely felt in terms of making reforms in structural, administrative and fiscal management of Municipal Bodies, but progressive and positive measures were also desired to invigorate Urban Municipal Leadership. In context of this the constitutional reforms in local bodies has given a new lease of life to the municipal Bodies. By providing them more powers and financial resources, further, the concerns of Urban Municipal Leadership also been given a new dimensions by making constitutional provisions for reservation of 1/3 seats for women in municipal bodies. Women constitute about half of the total population in the World as well as in India. Therefore, in healthy democracy, effective women contribution and their participation in politics and decision making is necessary. No society can itself claim to be civilized if it doesn’t honor women. The study of the elected women leadership in Municipal Corporation and their participation reveals a new dimension to local municipal institution by providing for representation of women in at least 1/3 of their total membership. Women quota have given much needed platform and space to women, thereby enabling them to involve in municipal decision making processes. But still, the scenario of elected women leadership in Municipal Corporation has not been found so much encouraging as number of challenges and constraints have hamperd effective participation. A lot has to be done to effect the desired changes in making women leadership effective and up to mark. By various capacities building measures and making municipal bodies more gender just and vibrant institutions of local democracy.