Panchayati Raj and Women’s Empowerment in India: A Transformative Journey

The strengthening of democracy in India is intrinsically linked to the inclusion and empowerment of women. The introduction of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) through the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act 1992 marked a transformative shift towards decentralised governance and participatory democracy. This paper critically examines how PRIs have redefined the role of women in Indian democracy, particularly in rural governance. It evaluates the extent to which political reservation has translated into substantive empowerment, highlighting both achievements and structural limitations. The study argues that while PRIs have enabled descriptive representation of women, substantive empowerment remains uneven due to socio- cultural, economic, and institutional constraints. The paper calls for a reconceptualisation of women’s role beyond mere participation toward transformative leadership.