Dramatic changes have taken place in the legal, political, educational and social status of women since independence.
Indian constitution promised a complete equality to women, women got a voting power along with men. But still there was no adequate participation by women in Indian political system.
73rd and 74th Amendment Act of 1992 bought a tremendous charge in the participation of women in political system. According to these amendment women are given one third reservation in Panchayat Raj Elections. This grass root level democracy made women to participate in government decision making.
Active participation in Panchayat Raj system makes rural women to think about their rights. Made them to change their social status. Now, they are not only for voting purpose/but also participating in the political decision-making.
ADVERTISEMENTS:
As of now, women constitute the half of the population of the India. Therefore, their participation is requirement of the day. In decision-making there is a requirement of bottom-up approach. Therefore, in grass-root level their must be participation by all the classes of people of the society. When policies are made for women, if their decision is included then the efficiency of the policy is more.
This 73rd and 74th Amendment Act of 1992 by giving reservation to women in Panchayat Raj has empowered the rural women. Rural women were the one who were more away from the developmental work. Now, they know what role should be played by them in the political system. Once political status is improved, it makes them economically empowered. There social status is also improved. This helps to remove the social evils of the like child marriage, illiteracy, and etc.
Therefore, the active participation of women in Panchayat Raj system has empowered them.