International Journal of Social Science Research (IJSSR)

Political Reservation and Women’s Empowerment: A Case Study of Panchayati Raj Institutions in Sikkim

Within India’s democratic discourse, empowering women through participation in governance and decision-making has been a main concern of the decentralisation frameworks. The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act (1992) has proven to be a landmark in this context by reserving one-third (33%) of all seats for women. Since then, it has been discussed and seen as a policy measure and an unprecedented opportunity for gender inclusion at the grassroots level. While in Sikkim, a small Himalayan state with a distinct socio-cultural and historical background, it has taken a significant step by reserving 50% of PRI seats for women in the state. This paper, through a qualitative and descriptive study, examines how reservations have contributed to women’s participation, thereby enhancing their empowerment and rural development and governance. The study reveals that increased women's participation in PRIs, due to reservations, not only empowers them but also instils leadership qualities and contributes both instrumentally and symbolically to the socio-political and economic development of the community.