Vol. 5 No. 2 (2021)
Articles

Political Empowerment of Women: A Study of Rabha Women in the Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council

Published 2021-08-13

Abstract

Empowerment is a process through which one gain control over power, resources and material assets. It involves power to, power with and power within. Empowerment can also be defined as a process of awareness, of capacity building leading to greater participation, effective decision making power and control leading to transformative action. Women empowerment now constitutes an important perspective in the process of human development in India. Women empowerment is one of the eight MillenniumDevelopment Goals (MDGs) to which India is a signatory.Women’s empowerment is as important as universal primary education, access to healthcare and eradication of poverty in achieving sustainable development. Empowerment is a multifaceted concept.Political empowerment is the process of gainingvarious elements of power which includes capabilities, positions and resources.  Political empowerment of women is crucial for their development and progress. Women will be politically empowered only if there is adequate and equal representation and participation of women in politics. Women’s participation in politics makes the democratic system more efficient and viable. But as a matter of fact women have been marginalized politically in our country and have to confine within the four walls of the household.  The Indian Constitution provides a number provisionto secure social, economic and political justice to all its citizens. More particularly specific safeguards have been provided to STs who due to various circumstances remain deprived, weak and vulnerable. This paper is an attempt to study the political empowerment of Rabhawomen. Even after seven decades of independence noRabha women have been able to mark their presence in the regional or national political scenario. Many questions concerning their nature, extent of women’s participation as well as impact of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRI’s) on women need to be explored. The study covers the Rabha women with special reference to the RabhaHasong Autonomous Council ranging from Rani of South Kamrup to Joyramkuchi of Goalpara district, Assam. It is based on both primary and secondary sources of data collected throughempirical survey with the help of questionnaire.