Democratic Decentralisation, Political Empowerment, and Developmental Participation: A Case Study of Elected Tribal Women in Jharkhand

This paper examines democratic decentralisation as a means of political empowerment for tribal women in Jharkhand, with a focus on Oraon women elected to Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs). While constitutional reservations have increased women's representation in local governance, substantive empowerment remains limited by patriarchal norms embedded in both formal institutions and traditional tribal systems. The study is based on an ongoing mixed-methods case study of Brambey Gram Panchayat in Mandar Block, Ranchi district. It combines surveys, interviews with elected women representatives, and interactions with male leaders, traditional authorities such as Mahto and Pahan, and community members. Drawing on feminist institutionalism and intersectionality, the paper explores how tribal women negotiate authority within PRIs and the traditional Parha Panchayat system.

The findings reveal a “partnership paradox”: although decentralisation has improved women's visibility in governance, effective participation is constrained by low literacy, limited resources, weak institutional support, and persistent patriarchy. A “dual patriarchy” further marginalises women within both state institutions and traditional governance structures.

Despite these challenges, political participation has enhanced women's confidence, awareness, and social recognition. The paper concludes that empowerment is a gradual and negotiated process, requiring capacity-building, gender sensitisation, digital inclusion, mentorship, and feminist-oriented institutional reforms to achieve meaningful gender justice at the grassroots level.