The gender gap in governance is an issue that often remains in discussions. However, while most discussions are around women in senior offices, issues like the role of women in Panchayat are usually ignored. At a Jain University event in Bengaluru, a student asked Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman about the systemic inequality women face in a patriarchal society. In reply, the Union Finance Minister said, “What’s patriarchy, ya?” She dismissed the idea as a “leftist concept.” She suggested that women sometimes use patriarchy as an excuse for inefficiency. To back her point, she mentioned Indira Gandhi, Aruna Asaf Ali, Sarojini Naidu, and ISRO’s women scientists as proof that patriarchy isn’t a real obstacle.
But does the success of a few women mean patriarchy doesn’t exist? If patriarchy doesn’t exist, why is Sitharaman one of just two women with a Union Cabinet minister rank?
Even when we take ground-level local governance like the Panchayati Raj system, women often face bias, scepticism, and stereotypes about their ability to lead. And if patriarchy indeed didn’t exist, why would Article 243D of the Constitution provide seat reservations for women in Panchayats? The truth is that women are kept out of local governance because the patriarchal mindset insists they belong at home, not in leadership roles.
Growing women’s representation in Panchayats: A beacon of progress
The Constitution ensures women’s participation in Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) by reserving at least one-third of seats and Panchayat Chairperson positions for women. According to the Report on Finances of Panchayati Raj Institutions, out of 3,187,320 PRI representatives across 32 states and Union Territories, 1,453,973 were women.
Women in Panchayat: The road to 50% reservation
Several states, including Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Kerala, and Uttarakhand, have passed laws increasing women’s reservation to 50% in panchayats. Currently, 20 states have 50% reservation for women at the panchayat level. It shows a growing involvement of women in local governance. Data from the Reserve Bank of India reports that women now make up 45.6% of PRI representatives.
Since the constitutional amendments reserving local seats for women in the last two decades, more women have been participating in the electoral process. For instance, in the 2021 elections in Devgadh Baria block, 53 women were elected to PRIs. Interestingly, 2 became deputy sarpanches. In states like Karnataka, women have surpassed the 50% mark in PRIs, even in electoral wards not explicitly reserved for them.
While women’s participation in panchayat shows progress, is this enough to change the bigger picture? Despite women winning the elections and becoming leaders, societal and cultural obstacles still limit women’s authority and impact. One major issue is that male family members (often husbands) step in to perform the duties of the female sarpanches.
Sarpanch Pati: Patriarchy’s grip on women in Panchayat leadership
In 2020, Haryana introduced 50% reservation for women in panchayat elections. That led to the election of 2,477 women as sarpanch by November 2022. However, the real power often rests with their husbands, dubbed as ‘sarpanch pati.’ In a profoundly patriarchal state like Haryana, society and the system usually sees men as natural leaders, while women are confined to homemaker roles.
Many elected women sarpanches hold a position of authority or leadership in name only, while their husbands, the so-called ‘sarpanch patis,’ take over decision-making. If the husband isn’t present, other male relatives, such as her brother or father, make decisions on behalf of the elected woman sarpanch. Instead of empowering women and promoting equality, the practice reduces their leadership to a mere formality. It achieves little in terms of actual progress or change.
Probably the most misogynistic aspect is that, in the absence of male blood relatives, communities often go as far as making the brother-in-law the de facto sarpanch. So that the authority remains with men, regardless of how distant their relation is. It shows how far patriarchal beliefs go to deny women genuine authority. These beliefs refuse to acknowledge women as capable leaders.
Women in Panchayat: Breaking barriers in leadership
Although political quotas for women have made a positive impact, women in panchayats still face significant challenges. One major problem is the digital divide, especially in rural India. As local governments use more technology for public services, many women struggle to keep up.
A survey in Bihar by the Centre for Catalysing Change found that only 63% of elected women representatives (EWRs) owned a phone, and just 24% had a smartphone. This lack of access to technology, combined with low digital literacy, makes it difficult for women to carry out their administrative functions efficiently.
Secondly, there is a clear gender divide when it comes to the issues women Sarpanch are expected to address. Often, the problems brought to them focus on hygiene, menstruation, food supply in Anganwadis, and domestic disputes between couples. While these are important concerns, they are often classified as “women’s problems.” It somehow means only a woman sarpanch should handle them. However, when it comes to more severe issues, the woman Sarpanch is often represented by her husband.
Internalised misogyny: A silent barrier for women in Panchayat
Internalised misogyny is a real issue. Despite being elected, many women Sarpanch still believe things like, “A woman can’t do all this work on her own,” or “As a woman, I can’t do fieldwork, but my husband can.” These beliefs hold them back.
The final thoughts: More women in Panchayat is the key to progress
The need for more women in panchayats goes beyond tokenism or gender parity statistics in reports. Research shows the actual change women in Panchayati Raj Institutions are bringing. Women in villages with reserved Pradhan positions are twice as likely to address a request or complaint to the gram Pradhan within six months.
Villages with women leaders have also seen increased female participation and better responsiveness to women’s policy concerns. Additionally, village councils with reserved women leaders have invested more in drinking water, sanitation, roads, school and health centre repairs, and irrigation facilities.
However, around 43% of women say that even if they contribute at the panchayat level, they still feel “hesitant.” That is mainly because of the belief that women are not effective leaders. Many of these women come from patriarchal communities where strict gender roles are the norm. They grow up believing that tasks like fieldwork and decision-making are meant for men. Without proper training, mentorship, or resources, they often feel overwhelmed or inadequate.
At ChangeinContent, we are committed to making a difference by focusing on inclusion and creating a real sense of belonging for women. We aim to reach as many women as possible and ensure they have the support and resources they need.
Resources
Local Governance: History of Panchayati Raj System and Women in PRIs
A Gender Perspective On the Role Performance of Elected Panchayat Leaders in India
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are based on the writer’s insights, supported by data and resources available both online and offline, as applicable. Changeincontent.com is committed to promoting inclusivity across all forms of content, which we define broadly to include media, policies, law, and history—encompassing all elements that influence the lives of women and gender-queer individuals. Our goal is to promote understanding and advocate for comprehensive inclusivity.
