Bridging the Gap – Challenges and Prospects of Tribal Women’s Political Participation under PESA in Jharkhand

Abstract

The participation of tribal women in local self-governance represents a critical dimension of democratic inclusiveness in India. Despite constitutional safeguards and legislative frameworks such as the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act (Government of India, 1992) and the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA), 1996, their political involvement in tribal-dominated regions like Jharkhand remains largely nominal. This study investigates the challenges and emerging prospects of tribal women’s participation in Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) under the PESA framework, focusing on Ranchi district as a representative case. Using a mixed-method approach that integrates survey data, interviews, and secondary analysis, the research explores how gender, ethnicity, and institutional structures intersect to shape women’s agency in grassroots governance. Findings indicate that patriarchal norms, proxy representation, limited literacy, inadequate training, linguistic constraints, and weak policy implementation continue to restrict meaningful participation (Verma, 2016; Narayan, 1981). However, the study also identifies positive trends, including the growing influence of self-help groups, local awareness campaigns, and supportive community networks that are enabling tribal women to assert leadership roles (Chattopadhyay & Duflo, 2004; Ambagudia & Xaxa, 2020). The paper argues that strengthening the operationalization of PESA through gender-sensitive reforms, localized training modules, and participatory monitoring mechanisms can transform symbolic representation into substantive empowerment. Ultimately, the effective political inclusion of tribal women is essential not only for gender equity but also for achieving sustainable and decentralized governance in India’s Scheduled Areas.