Level of Participation and Perceived Constraints of Women in Panchayati Raj Institutions

The present study was located in Patna district of Bihar. The study revealed that the Panchayat office bearers as well as Panchayat members had very little political background. They had actively participated in door to door canvassing and distribution of election pamphlets in their localities and were found to cast their votes. They exhibited immense faith in the democratic process of Panchayat Raj System of local governance. Being illiterate or less education was the only main constraint perceived by almost all the women respondents. Some other constraints that women respondents perceived were related to gender biased views and attitudes of male persons in the society, which can be removed through education, training and persuasion of the members of Panchayat Raj Institution.