Can Reservation Ensure Women’s Participation in Local Governance: A Study Among Tiwas

The 73rd constitutional amendment has made historical changes to Indian local self-governance, that is, Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), by introducing 33% reservation for women. Accordingly, a considerable number of women entered into these institutions as elected representatives. However, although reservation has enhanced the representation of women, their participation remains an important question due to prevailing patriarchy both within and outside the household. In this background, an attempt is being made to understand and analyse the participation of tribal women in Gram Panchayat—the lowest level institutions of PRIs among the Tiwas of Assam, India. This study found that reservation of seats has indeed enabled women to enter into local governance. However, the reservation could not alter the patriarchal nature of GP. Thus, there is a need for institutional reforms in the GP.