Vinod KumariSunita Singh2017-06-032017-06-032013http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810014341Gender equality and empowerment of women is recognized globally as a key element to achieve progress in all spheres of life. Democratic decentralization is best bet for good governance. The present investigation was undertaken with the following objectives:- 1.To examine the socio-economic and political background of the elected women representatives in Gram Panchyat; 2. To assess their knowledge regarding the structural and functional aspects of Gram Panchayats; 3. To explore their role in decision and implementation at the gram Panchayat levels; 4. To suggest measures to promote women participation in Gram Panchayat Gender equality and empowerment of women is recognized globally as a key element to achieve progress in all spheres of life. Democratic decentralization is best bet for good governance. The present investigation was undertaken with the following objectives:- 1.To examine the socio-economic and political background of the elected women representatives in Gram Panchyat; 2. To assess their knowledge regarding the structural and functional aspects of Gram Panchayats; 3. To explore their role in decision and implementation at the gram Panchayat levels; 4. To suggest measures to promote women participation in Gram Panchayat activities. The study was conducted in two districts of Haryana state having highest and lowest female literacy status i.e. Panchkula and Mewat, respectively. Majority of respondents were of middle age, illiterate and primary school educated, married, belonging to backward class, joint family, farming, medium income group and low to medium mass media exposure. Majority of them had entered in PRI for the first time and overwhelming majority had attended training at village and block level. About 80% of them were interested to know more about PRI, their roles and responsibilities and preferred village as venue of training. Majority of respondents were having no knowledge about most of structural aspects of panchayat but were having full knowledge and involvement in social activities, educational, political, public work and civic amenities and health and sanitation. Literacy advanced area had clear and positive effect on knowledge level of elected women representatives about structural and functional activities. A significant association of caste with knowledge level of women leaders was observed. Younger age respondents were having high knowledge level about most of panchayat activities, structural aspects and decision making. Significant association of income and occupation with knowledge level of women members was observed. Mass media exposure of women representatives had significant impact on their knowledge level about various panchayat activities. Positive change in women participation in meetings and training programmes was observed followed by change in social customs as they were coming out of home boundaries to participate in panchayat activities. Some of the constraints faced by elected women representatives were delay in approval of plan and budget, lack of staff, too much control of bureaucrats, favoritism, lack of knowledge and non-cooperation by male members. It is suggested that efforts are required for real empowerment of rural women by bringing about an attitudinal change in both men and women activities. The study was conducted in two districts of Haryana state having highest and lowest female literacy status i.e. Panchkula and Mewat, respectively. Majority of respondents were of middle age, illiterate and primary school educated, married, belonging to backward class, joint family, farming, medium income group and low to medium mass media exposure. Majority of them had entered in PRI for the first time and overwhelming majority had attended training at village and block level. About 80% of them were interested to know more about PRI, their roles and responsibilities and preferred village as venue of training. Majority of respondents were having no knowledge about most of structural aspects of panchayat but were having full knowledge and involvement in social activities, educational, political, public work and civic amenities and health and sanitation. Literacy advanced area had clear and positive effect on knowledge level of elected women representatives about structural and functional activities. A significant association of caste with knowledge level of women leaders was observed. Younger age respondents were having high knowledge level about most of panchayat activities, structural aspects and decision making. Significant association of income and occupation with knowledge level of women members was observed. Mass media exposure of women representatives had significant impact on their knowledge level about various panchayat activities. Positive change in women participation in meetings and training programmes was observed followed by change in social customs as they were coming out of home boundaries to participate in panchayat activities. Some of the constraints faced by elected women representatives were delay in approval of plan and budget, lack of staff, too much control of bureaucrats, favoritism, lack of knowledge and non-cooperation by male members. It is suggested that efforts are required for real empowerment of rural women by bringing about an attitudinal change in both men and women.enResearch methods, Sets, Byproducts, Thinning, Marketing, Manpower, Sampling, Statistical methods, Land resources, YieldsThesis