Vol. 1, Issue 8, Part C (2015)

Abstract
Panchayathi Raj is not a new phenomenon in the country. Its mention in history goes back to more than 1000 years. Panchayathi Raj Institutions have always been considered as means of good governance and the 73rd Constitutional Amendment has been affected with the hope that it will lead to better governance and provide political space to the disadvantaged sections of the society like Schedule Castes, Schedule Tribes and women. rnWomen’s participation in mainstream political activity has important implications for the broader context of governance in any country. Reservation policy for women in the Panchayats can be an important instrumental measure for achieving improvement in their socio-economic status and empowering them. If reservations for women in Panchayathi Raj Institutions are to lead to their empowerment in real terms, social, economic and political conditions which facilitate and encourage their participation need to be created in India, Article 40 of the Indian Constitution lays down that the state shall take steps to organize village Panchayats. The 73rd and 74th amendment Acts are important milestones in Indian history according to which 33 percent seats are reserved for women at the Panchayat and Municipal levels. This paper is an attempt to understand women Empowerment in Panchayat level and how far it leads the way to their participation in Panchayathi Raj Institutions. Also, this paper discusses Reservation Policy, Constitutional provisions for women empowerment and The Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act, 1993, and Panchayathi Raj Extension to Scheduled Areas (PESA). Importance of Women Participation, changing status of women in India, and National Policy for the empowerment of the women has been highlighted in discussion.