CONTENTS Abstract 1 Executive Summary 2 Site Selection & Methodology 3 Summary of findings & conclusion 3 Recommendations 5 Introduction 8 1.1 Need for the Study 10 Context of The Study 11 2.1 Research Question 11 2.2 Aim 11 2.3 Objectives 11 What is Panchayati RAJ? 12 3.1 Defining Panchayati Raj 12 3.2 Panchayati Raj in India 12 3.3 Balwant Rai Mehta Committee 12 3.4 Ashok Mehta Committee 13 3.5 73rdConstituional Amendment Act 14 3.6 Emergence of Women in Panchayats 15 3.7 Panchayati raj in Gujarat 19 3.8 Administrative Set up 20 3.9 Functions in Three tier Panchayat Structure 21 3.10 Reservation for women in Gujarat 21 3.11 Women Empowerment Perspective 22 Contextual Frame of the Study 23 4.1 Methodology 23 4.2 Study Area 23 4.2.1 District Profile 25 4.2.2 Taluka Profile 25 4.2.3 Village Profile 26 4.2.4 Village 1: Nava Gaam 26 4.2.5 Village 2: Raigadh 27 4.3 The research participants 28 4.4 Methodological Choices 30 Analysis from Field Study 31 5.1 Analysis from Raigadh Gaam (HOUSEHOLD members) 31 5.1.1 Socio Economic Status of HH members 31 5.1.2 Participation in Panchayat 33 5.1.3 Co-operation by the Panchayat 34 5.1.4 Dominance in the Panchayat 35 5.1.5 Changes Required in Family & Community 35 5.2 Analysis from Elected Members of Panchayat 37 5.2.1 Elected leaders 37 5.2.2 Perception of Elected Members about the Female Members 37 5.2.3 Problems faced by the Elected Women Representatives 38 5.2.4 Factors that Motivate and Constraint women’s Participation 38 5.2.5 Capacity Building 39 5.3 Analysis from nava gaam (HOUSEHOLD members) 40 5.3.1 Socio Economic Status of the HH members 40 5.3.2 Participation in Panchayat 42 5.3.3 Co-operation by the Panchayat 43 5.3.4 Dominance in the Panchayat 44 5.3.5 Changes required in Family and Community 44 5.4 Analysis from the elected Panchayat members 45 5.4.1 Elected leaders 45 5.4.2 Perceptions of the Members regarding Female Leaders 45 5.4.3 Problems faced by the Elected Women Representatives 45 5.4.4 Factors that Constraint Women Participation 46 5.4.5 Capacity Building 46 6. Findings from the Study 48 7. Recommendations 51 7.1 Conclusion 54 Bibliography 56 Annexure 58