Existence Of Women In Customary Panchayats- An Empirical Study

Women in India have always suffered a considerable discrimination in several spheres of human activity - the political sphere being one of them. Quite a few studies carried out earlier on the customary panchayats, had also pointed out this non-representation of female members in these institutions. In a considerably orthodox and conservative rural India, women’s participation in the public affairs is looked down upon and not accepted whole heartedly. Though Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992 which provides for women a reservation of 33 per cent seats in local governance bodies, yet they seem to be confused as to whether the same provision extends to customary panchayats also.