A Study of Challenges regarding Political Participation of Tribal Women in Local bodies in Sawale Village, Andar Maval, Taluka Maval, Dist. Pune

Abstract

Right to political participation of women includes their full access to the political and public life without any discrimination. The political sphere includes the government, the parliament and local governing bodies such as municipalities and local councils or local bodies. Three key actors can be defined as strongly affecting political rights and participation of women in the public and political life: first, decision makers such as governmental institutions and senior staff, the actual political structure and lastly, the media. Women constitute nearly fifty percent of the population of the world, but when it comes to their representation at higher levels of political positions in the government, they account for only less than ten percent. Panchayats, as people’s bodies, have been existence since long in the country. Women, however, were not an integral part of this system. Political participation has been defined in various ways. Political participation means not only exercising the right to vote, but also power sharing, co-decision and co-policy making at all levels of governance of the state. The tribal women face the challenges regarding political rights and participation. Political participation is a major component of empowerment. It also tries to draw attention to the position of tribal women in state politics and the adverse effects of low participation of women in political process. The present paper is based on primary data. The study will focus on the issues of political rights of tribal women in Sawale village. Also the study will discuss on the current scenario of political participation of these women.