IASSI-Quarterly

Technology and information serve as instrumental forces that complement and enhance the pursuit of meaningful citizen engagement and inclusive governance, addressing a multitude of challenges faced by the human race. Odisha, as a state in transition, endeavours to leverage information and communication technology (ICT) and e-governance to tackle the complexities of administration. Within this context, the gender discourse and the developmental narrative of an increasingly ambitious women’s community in the state reaffirm their rightful claims and strive to reclaim public spaces previously dominated by their male counterparts. However, the journey towards the liberation and social empowerment of women has not been without hurdles, including social, economic, and political challenges. In this scenario, the emphasis should be on enhancing capacity as a catalyst for the comprehensive empowerment of citizens, both in the economic realm and the broader socio-political domain. This approach aims to transform individuals into essential contributors and significant participants in the nation’s progress and advancement. Therefore, the emphasis on capacity building, facilitated by the application of technology, is viewed as a crucial mechanism to achieve the broader objectives of empowering women in the state. Recognizing the crucial role of citizen engagement in the socio-economic domain, this paper seeks to explore the importance of women’s empowerment. It also assesses the influence of citizen participation through a pioneering initiative, the Common Service Centres (CSCs), as a transformative factor in this context. This paper endeavours to examine the current era of digital governance in the Indian state of Odisha, which has garnered a remarkable impact on a national scale.