Elected Women Representatives in Maharashtra Transform to Empowered Leaders
Exactly three decades after the initiation of women's empowerment through 33 percent reservations in local self-government bodies, and later 50 percent, Elected Women Representatives (EWRs) have emerged as a potent force in nation-building from the grassroots level. Over this period, they have shed familial and social constraints, evolving from timid and dependent figures into assertive, independent leaders capable of making their own decisions and challenging the status quo.
Maharashtra's journey towards empowering women in local governance has yielded impressive results. Presently, the state boasts around 28,000 Gram Panchayats, 352 Panchayat Samitis at the taluka level, 14,000 Madam Sarpanches (Madam Presidents), 17 Zilla Parishads across 35 districts (excluding Mumbai), and an impressive 125,000 EWRs out of a total of 250,000 representatives. This information was shared by Bhim Raskar, Director of the Resource and Support Centre for Development in Navi Mumbai and Advisor to Mahila Rajsatta Andolan.
Ulka Mahajan, Founder of Sarvahara Jan Andolan in Raigad, highlighted the role of various movements in the state that have contributed to women's empowerment. These movements have increased women's knowledge, exposure to governance, highlighted their capabilities, and encouraged them to be vocal participants in the decision-making process. However, Mahajan noted that EWRs, especially those from marginalized communities like Dalits, Tribals, OBCs, and Minorities, still face challenges, including local bureaucracy, political pressures, lack of transparency, and discrimination.
Pratibha Shinde, President of the Lok Sangharsh Morcha in Jalgaon, credited the reservations for various categories among EWRs for creating a new class of women leaders. She noted that in the past, women in politics primarily came from traditional political families and often operated under the influence of a spouse or father. However, with the empowerment initiatives, women from independent, ordinary families have stepped forward to contest elections, effectively manage home affairs, and administer governance with confidence and competence. Shinde celebrated the transformation, emphasizing that the seeds sown by former Chief Minister Sharad Pawar have borne fruit, fostering a more diverse and empowered political landscape.
