Women’s Representation In The Local Self Governance; Creating The Politics Of Presence

Abstract

The concept of democratic decentralization or the local self- government are often founded upon the notion that the democratization and empowerment of local political bodies will create institutions that would be more accountable to local citizens and more appropriate to local needs, interests and preferences Democratic decentralization exhibits the extension of a democracy at the grass-root level in view of the fact that the people's participation signifies a democratic government not merely at the top but also
at the foundation level of a political system of a country. The Representation of women in panchayats through the 73rd and 74th Indian. constitutional amendment act, have provided a possibility for demolishing traditional gender, caste and religious prejudices
and has helped in bringing huge change not only in the social nature of the state but also in the true democratic spirit of this republican government. However, some questions still have to be carefully revisited: whether this constitutional amendment will be able to represent truly the women section, will deeper the concept of women's empowerment and the concept of politics of presence or the existing patriarchal structures believes continue to dominate in the society. This paper is an attempt to understand and critically
analyse Women's representation in the local self-government in Assam, especially in the Barak Valley.