Reconstructing Power: The Evolving Role of Women in India’s Village Politics

Utkarsh Patel, Research Scholar, Political Science Department, Bareilly College, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh. Pincode : 243001

Mob: 8433151488

Email : patelutkarsh.in@gmail.com

Prof. Manmeet Kaur, Head of Department, Political Science Department, Bareilly College, Bareilly.

Abstract

The political landscape of rural India has undergone a quiet but significant transformation over the past three decades, marked by the growing participation of women in village-level governance. This study examines how women in India’s villages are renegotiating power, redefining leadership, and reshaping local decision-making processes. The paper explores the social, cultural, and institutional forces that influence women’s entry into politics and the ways in which they exercise authority once elected. Drawing on existing field studies, government reforms, and grassroots experiences, the research traces how women’s involvement has shifted from symbolic representation to meaningful participation in many regions. It highlights the gradual changes in community attitudes, the emergence of first-generation women leaders, and the everyday challenges they face—from patriarchal resistance to limited resources. By analysing these developments, the paper argues that women’s role in village politics is not merely expanding but evolving, contributing to a broader redefinition of power and governance in rural India. The study ultimately underscores the importance of sustained institutional support and social acceptance in strengthening women’s leadership at the grassroots.

Keywords : Women’s Political Participation, Rural Governance, Village Politics, Grassroots Leadership, Gender and Power, Panchayati Raj, Women’s Empowerment, Decentralisation, Local Democracy, India.

DOI link – https://doi.org/10.69758/GIMRJ/2511S01V13P016