Understanding the Participation of Dalit Women Elected Representatives in Panchayats : A Study of Ghazipur and MAU Districts of Uttar Pradesh

Abstract

Drawing upon a micro-study of two districts, Ghazipur and Mau in Uttar Pradesh, this paper tries to explore the extent of dalit women elected representatives' (DWER) participation in decision making process at grassroots level. It also argues that participation of DWERs in Panchayati Raj Institutions is in worst position in terms of their power structure which controls and guides the development programmes of a society. This paper focuses on the understanding of different hindering factors in women's full participation in political process. The study also reveals very pertinent observations regarding the limited and restricted political space given to DWERs in Panchayati Raj Institutions.