• Dr. Tara Devi

Women are the backbone of any society but considered lower to men. They are the marginalized section and face difficulties in their lives all over the world. Though, women are half of the population yet they have not improved their status. In developing countries like India, they live in poor condition and face many problems like malnutrition, ill-health, illiteracy, early marriage etc. Centre and state governments have adopted many measures to improve the status of women and empower them. In this process, Panchayati Raj (73rd Amendment) Act, 1993 with women reservation is the major achievement. Many women are elected in Panchayati Raj institutions. They have been participating in decision-making process and give their share to the development of the country. Therefore, it is important to study the emerging patterns and socio-economic background of women who are elected through Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRI's). It helps to understand their status and capacity for working in PRI's. Their education, economic status, political influence etc., give adequate knowledge to improve their participation in politics. The present study is on elected women ‘Sarpanch’/ Village Panchayat Pradhans of Block Garhshankar and Mahilpur and elected women Panchayat Samiti members of Mahilpur Block, District Hoshiarpur, Punjab. [This research paper is output of ongoing Major Research Project for two years titled, “Women Participation in Panchayati Raj Institutions; a case study of district Hoshiarpur, Punjab” funded by ICSSR and MHRD under the scheme of Impactful Policy Research in Social Science (IMPRESS), New Delhi.] We are thankful for financial assistance from ICSSR and MHRD, New Delhi.

Women, Panchayati Raj Institution, Economic level, Education, Social profile, Political influence. Introduction:

"Emerging Patterns of Women in Panchayati Raj Institutions in Punjab", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.7, Issue 8, page no.2034-2040, August-2020, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2008270.pdf

"Emerging Patterns of Women in Panchayati Raj Institutions in Punjab", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.7, Issue 8, page no. pp2034-2040, August-2020, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2008270.pdf