PERFORMANCE, CONSTRAINTS AND PROBLEMS OF ELECTED WOMEN REPRESENTATIVES OF GRAM PANCHAYAT IN DHARWAD TALUK WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO FAMILY
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Date
21-01-04
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UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES BANGALORE
Abstract
All the Elected Women Representatives (EWRs) of Gram Panchyat (GP) of
Dharwad taluk who completed one full tenure from 1994 to 2000 barring those who
have died and migrated formed the sample of 153. Ten were selected as sub samp e
for case studies; personal inter\iews observation and case study were the methods
used.
Results reveled that majority belonged to SC/ST castes and to families living
below the poverty line. Majority were in the age group of 45 to 60 years, illiterate an
worked as agricultural laborers with no land holding or marginal land holding.
Majority were married, had grown up children and belonged to large sized families^
Majority had no political background but had the support of one or the other politica
party in fighting election. Two thirds received financial support from the party.
Majority had contested first time from the reserved constituency and elected through
ballot.
Twenty four percent used mass media as a source of information regarding
GP. Majority had the knowledge regarding their tenure conducting regular meetings
and tax collection. But most of them lacked knowledge regarding special and
emergency meetings, quorum for conducting meetings, cancellation of membership,
no confidence motion, developmental schemes, financial matters, annual reports arid
budget. 86% attended the panchyat meetings regularly, participated in
discussions. 90% complained that they faced both direct and indirect opposition to
their participation in discussions from the male members. 55% did not participate m
the standing committee. Majority had no knowledge regarding the purpose and
functions of the standing committee. 89% did not participate in efforts to solve the
community issues.
Less than 50% attended three training programmes and many felt that training
programmes increased their knowledge. Loss of daily wages was the main reason for
not attending training programmes. Some of the respondents carried out activities
mainly in the areas of health, family planning, education and welfare. Only 16% took
up pro-active steps like formation of self-help groups, efforts to solve alcoholism
formation of DWAGRA Group and Mahila Mandal.
Fifty seven percent attended all Gram Sabhas. 85°/o had no knowledge
regarding purpose of functions of Gram Sabha. More than 1/3"* complained about the
absence of officials from different departments in Gram Sabhas. Majority stated that
their family members were veiy supportive of their panchyat work. Nearly 3/4 stated
that their household work was mainly shared by their daughters and daughters-in-law.
Among socio-cultural and economic constrains 44% faced constraints because of gender. At personal level, for 74% of respondents illiteracy was the major constraint.
At GP level, lack of information flow from secretary was the main constraint.
A negative and significant correlation at 5% level was found between total
family problems and total performance of EWRs. The family problems and
performance of EWRs in the area of agriculture and animal husbandry was found to
be negatively and significantly correlated at 5% level. The family problems of
presidents and members were found to be negatively and significantly correlated with
the performance in the area of health, family planning, education and welfare at 1%
and 5% respectively. The other problems related to GP, problems related to sociocultural,
personal and class factor were found to be negatively and non-significantly
correlated. Thus this study clearly reveals the importance of family problems which
negatively affecting the EWRs work.
These results imply there is a need to take following steps.
1. Increase the honorarium and sitting fees of EWRs to compensate for whatever
losses of wage they incur in attending to GP work.
2. Creche facility should be provided in the village for the children of EWRs which
may be sued by other women also.
3. Conduct gender sensitization programmes for villagers in general and family
members of the EWRs and other male members of the GP in particular. These
programmes are needed to create awareness among them regarding the importance
of women's participation in the GP. Such an awareness is needed to create
conducive atmosphere for the EWRs in the village, GP and family for their
maximum participation in GP
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