Assessment of Women’s Participation, Decision-Making and Governance Contributions in Panchayati Raj Institutions: Evidence and Constraints from Jammu and Kashmir After 2019

Abstract

This study examines women’s participation, decision-making and governance contributions within Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in Jammu and Kashmir after 2019, drawing strictly on the findings of a structured questionnaire and its respondent-level analysis. The findings indicate a generally positive assessment of grassroots institutional functioning, with 57.8% of respondents agreeing that PRIs effectively address local governance issues, while 40% considered their functioning well aligned with their constitutional role. The post-2019 period is associated with increased women’s representation, with 60% of respondents expressing agreement that reservation policies have positively influenced women’s participation, although perceptions of enhanced decision-making space remain comparatively moderate. Women’s governance contributions emerge strongly in the findings: 62.2% agreed that women representatives have contributed to local development, while 62.2% also associated women’s participation with improved transparency and accountability. At the same time, substantive participation remains constrained, as only 24.4% reported that women are always consulted equally with men in PRI decision-making, compared with 51.1% indicating that consultation occurs only sometimes. The findings further identify financial limitations, security concerns, political interference, family responsibilities, male dominance and community resistance as significant constraints on independent participation. Notably, 73.5% favoured legal safeguards against both proxy representation and political interference, while 57.1% supported regular and mandatory leadership training and 57.1% advocated significantly increased financial grants. The study therefore demonstrates a discernible movement from numerical representation towards participation, while highlighting the continuing need for institutional capacity-building, financial autonomy, administrative support, safety, and meaningful decision-making authority.