Women in Decentralised Governance: Status and Empowerment

In the modern context, there is an increasing realisation that the presence of women in political institutions, quantitative as well as qualitative, would bring about a changed situation for the progress of women and the development of the society. Hence, an assessment of women’s political status could be made through studying the role of women in rural politics, especially rural political institutions. Political empowerment of women facilitates their entry in the process of governance as well as give them an opportunity to participate in the developmental process both at local and national level. The present book deals with concepts of empowerment, decentralisation, governance and political status of women at the outset and makes an in-depth analysis regarding awareness, perceptions and participation of women in rural development programmes, and in the process empowering women politically. The book also makes suggestions for effective role performance of women in PRIs. The book is of immense utility to students, teachers, policy-makers, women’s organisations and general readers.