Dalit Women’s Representation and Participation in Local Governance: Ratlam District of Madhya Pradesh

This research paper focuses on the study of rural women’s political participation in local governance with specific reference to district Ratlam of Madhya Pradesh. Taking the status quo pertaining to the representation of women in Panchayati Raj Institutions, it identifies the barriers towards the development and advancement of women towards senior administrative and political positions; and it also argues for increased representation and participation of women in panchayat. The presence of more women is required if the local governance system is to become inclusive of the diversity of the people it represents, especially women. Furthermore, change is more likely to occur when elected women are supported by the presence of more women at the most senior administrative levels in the panchayati raj system. Through their knowledge and understanding of the construction of power relations at the grass root level, rural women have innovatively managed to produce, reproduce and use alternative strategies which are based on their sexuality and traditional gender roles in challenging and transforming gender inequality at the local level and in improving the quality of rural women. The purposes of the study were to identify and explore the key challenges that rural women face in their representation and participation in Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and reflect on the initiatives that are being undertaken by the government in facilitating the full representation and participation of rural women in local governance. A quantitative research method was used in the study. Empirical data was gathered through structured interviews in the Karadiya, Pipliya Maru and Kanthariya women headed gram panchayat of Alot block of District Ratlam. The research findings indicated that rural women face a number of constraints in getting access to and participating in local governance.