Volume 2 Issue 7 Jan 2013

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Ashok Yakkaldevi 258/34 ,Raviwar Peth ,Solapur-413005, Mahashtra,India. Contact On : +91-9595 359 435, +91 9096938215

“A STUDY ON PROBLEMS OF WOMEN EMPOWERMENT IN POLITICS AND HUMAN RIGHTS WITH REF

TO SHIROL TALUKA:”

Prof. Suresh S. Apate

Dept. of Social Work

CSIBER, Kolhapur

Introduction :

          The scope of human rights is very vast and therefore it is impossible to cover all aspects of the human right, so researcher choose one disadvantaged group, the women because they constitute one half of the population of India and everywhere disadvantaged in comparison with their male peers. The fact that women tend to suffer human rights abuses in a gender specific way has been ignored now a day sex discrimination is to the larger issue of development, abuse of women is a private matter, and the abuse of woman’s rights being so pervasive its inclusion would overwhelm all the human right.

          The United Nations General Assembly on December 10^th 1948 adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. “A Common standard of achievement for all the nation and states that all human beings are been free and equal in dignity and rights.”

Human Rights :

          Human rights are essentially right of an individual and are rights which every human being must have against the state or public authority by virtue of his being a human beings irrespective of any other considerations. They are based on mankind demands for a life in which the inherent dignity of human being will received respect and protection. The right relating to life, liberty, equality and dignity of the individual for the right all man and women alike.

Human rights and Women :

          We the people of India, having solemnly resolved constitute India into a sovereign socialist secular. Democratic, republic and to secure to all citizens Justice, social, economical and political, liberty of thought expression belief, faith and worship.

          “In our constituent Assembly this 26^th November, 1949 to hereby adopt enact and give to ourselves this constitution.” Human right are an integral part of the concept of human dignity which are protected by different provisions of the constitution of India. Right of life which is a fundamental right under Article 21 of the constitution lays down that “No person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to the procedure established by law “Right to life means right to live with human dignity and freedom from all kind of exploitation.”

          The fundamental rights prohibit discrimination among citizens on the ground of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth (Article 15) and assures equal opportunity to then in matters of public employment (Article 16). Article 14 provides equality before the law. Article 39 directive principles of state policy state that “the state shall direct its policy towards securing.”

1.     The citizens men and women equality have the right to an adequate means to livelihood.

2.     There is equal pay for equal work for both men and women.

Status of Women :

          The large section of women have suffered decline of economic status. Through women do not numerically constitute a minority; they are beginning to acquire the features of the minority community by three recognized dimensions of inequality of class (Economic Situation) status (social position) political powers. The states that in India gives it support to patriarchal forces by not enforcing its own laws and programmes which challenge the basic gender inequality. In Indian society wife is bound to live with her husband to submit herself to his authority to remain under his roof and protection.

          It is observed that many religion and culture patterns are deeply rooted in the traditions of its communities and confine women largely to the home or to invisible activities. This has an important impact on social and legal status of the women in India. The traditional roles of women in society and many prove particularly uncomfortable for those who benefit from women.

          The number of women in Loksabha has increased in the past years, but it has never crossed 10% of the total number of seats of Loksabha.

          When the Lok sabha and Rajya Sabha passed the 73^rd and 74^th Amendment to constitution thus making the Panchayat and Municipalize as institution of self government the 73^rd Amedment can be seen as landmark in the Indian women’s movement as it secures 33% reservation of seats for the Indian women. How it needs to be kept inmind that the reservation in India has been introduced in a scenario marked by

-         Illiteracy

-         Male dominance

-         Casteism

-         Deep rooted cultural beliefs

-         Values

          The 73^rd Amendment April 24, 1993 for the first time brought 33.40% women into decision making process as per 1992 (10 lakh) 1 million women coming into grassroots level polities. Reservation provides the possibility of a voice for women.

Role of Women :

          Women hood is not restricted to the kitchen. A democratic polity involves decentralization but local people are managed by means of their positive participation. It implies the extension of democracy at grass root level in view of the fact that the people’s participation signifies the constitution of a democratic government not merely at the top but also foundation level of the political system. Women as a strong group would change the prevailing political practices.

Empowerment of Indian Women :

          The concept of empowerment of women is recent origin. The world empowerment has been given currency by the United Nation during recent year. Women will enable a greater degree of self confidence, a sense of independence and capacity to resist discrimination imposed by male dominated society. Women become empowered through collective refection and decision making.

          The parameters of empowerment are –

1.     Building a positive self image and self confidence.

2.     Development of ability to think critically.

3.     Building group cohesion and decision making and action.

4.     Ensuring equal participation in the process of bringing about social change.

5.     Encouraging group action in order to bring about social change in society.

6.     Providing the wherewithal for economic independence.

          So researcher has attempted to provide a general overview of empowerment problems faced by women representatives in Shirol Taluka.

Profile of Shirol Taluka :

          Kolhapur district is situation in the extreme southern part of Maharashtra State. Kolhapur is district head quarters about 394 Km away from state headquarter viz Mumbai, Kolhapur lies between 15⁰42 East longitudes. There are 12 tulaks in Kolhapur district.

Location :

          The Shirol Taluka is situated in the eastern 16.37⁰ and 16.52⁰ north latitude and 74.27⁰ and 74.42⁰ east longitudes. It has an area of 507.9 sq.km and constituting 6.15 percent geographical area of Kolhapur district. Administratively the Shirol Taluka is divided into 52 village surrounded by Sangli District on north and Hatkangle Taluka on west, Belgumm district of Karnata State on sourth and east.

Research Design :

          In this analytical study researcher used primary and secondary method for data collection of 52 Grampanchyat of Shirol Taluka and “studied problem faced by women representative in political empowerment with ref to Shirol Taluka.”

Objective :

1.     To study the status of women representative.

2.     To understand women rights in representation.

3.     To know problems of women representative.

4.     To give the appropriate suggestion for better empowerment in the women representative.

Data collection :

Primary Data :

          Researcher has used the Interview Schedule as tool of data collection and observation by researcher.

Secondary Data :

          Researcher has used reference book, discussion with representative, magazines, pamphlets, internet and other secondary source.

Table No. 1

Income of the Women Representative 

Majority of the respondent family income is above 21,000 Rs.

Table No. 2

Forced for Contest the Election

Its analyses that majority of women represatative forced to contest the election by both villager and family equally.  

Table No. 3

Reservation Category

Its analyses that majority of women representatives are belongs to OBC is very few belongs to N. T. Class.

Table No. 4

Received Training

Its concluded that majority respondents are received training from Grampanchayat.

Table No. 5

Confident About Role

Many of the women representative are very much confident while presenting role in Grampanchyat.

Table No. 6

Family Members Support

The majority women representative received help by family member.

Table No. 7

Interfere in Work

Majority of the family members are interfere in the work.

Table No. 8

Support of Male Representative

Majority respondents received positive treatment from society during their representation.

Table No. 10

Mental and Social Harassment

Its concludes that many women representative faced the problem of mental harassment from their co-representatives.

Conclusions and Suggestion :

          With the help of above data researcher concluded that women representative have so many problems while representing in local self government there are social economical mental as well as communication domination problems facing during the work in Grampanchyat. Even though they are on the way of empowerment in the political field with the help of 73^rd Amdment act and Human right and constitution.

Suggestion :

1.     It is necessary to improve the confidence of the women representative.

2.     Make them aware about their duties.

3.     Government should organise training programme.

4.     Give them chance to participation in discussion and decision making.

5.     Make them aware about constitution human right.

6.     Gramsevak should play the role in interferences of the family member.

7.     Community or village people should aware to forgetting political issues and help to women representative.

References :

1.     Women and Human Rights – by Lina Gonsalves, A. P. H. publishing corporations, Ansari road Darya Ganj New Delhi.

2.     Women Power and Development – by Vijay Kaushik, 1998, Bela Ravi Sharma, Sarup and Sons. Publication.

3.     Role and Status of Women in New Panchyat Raj system - by Ramesh Bhandari, Deep and Deep publication Pvt. Ltd.

4.     Social Legislation in India – by K. D. Gangarde, Concept publishing Company Delhi.

5.     The Problem faced by women representatives of Gram Panchyat by – Prachi Swami, (Research Project).