Are Women Empowered? Panchayati Raj Institutions in Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Abstract

As we approach 20 years of Panchayati Raj, In India particularly in these Islands it is time to take stock of to what extent women have participated in these institutions and are they empowered? A brief study was conducted with the object of finding out the extent of their empowerment in terms of EWR (elected women representatives) in panchayats in all the three tiers of panchayat in A&N islands,  steps taken to empower women elected representatives and suggest measures Study is based on information through published sources. It has been found that their participation is largest at the intermediate level (40.57%) and least at the village level. In order to empower them more number of sensitization programs at frequent intervals are required