Vol. 6, Issue 9, Part B (2020)

Abstract
The World Bank has suggested that women empowerment should be the key aspect of Social Development Programmes (World Bank, 2001). India has also sanctioned several international convention committed to securing equal rights to women. The National Policy for the women empowerment (2001) states that “The women’s movement and a wide spread network of NGOs which have strong grass roots presence and deep in right into women’s concerns have contributed in inspiring initiatives for the women empowerment”. The Constitution of India has emphasized the need for political decentralization since India is a vast sub-continent which consists of several regions, religions, social groups, occupational groups, political groups and other entities. The rural and urban locals self-government bodies were established in the country consequent on Constitutional Amendments. Women and weaker sections gained adequate representation in these bodies. They also received new opportunities to participate actively in the administrative and developmental activities at the grassroots level. The new legislation on Panchayati Raj came into effect in 1983 thanks to the pioneering efforts made by Ramakrishna Hegde and Abdul Nazir Sab in Karnataka state. The state has also amended the Panchayati Raj Act in 2009 to provide greater representation to women in administration from 33% to 50%. This was a remarkable achievement which ensured adequate participation of women in Panchayat Raj System. The scope of participatory democracy and decentralized development was widened in India. Mandya district has gained prominence over a period of time in terms of decentralization of political power and developmental opportunities. The present study evaluated the women participation in Panchayati Raj and rural development in Mandy district of Karnataka State. The Panchayat Raj in India, rural development in India, women empowerment in India, women participation in Panchayati Raj and rural development, significance of the study, statement of the problem and objectives of the study are furnished in this chapter primarily.