National study finds Nagaland among states with lower reported women's participation in Gram Sabha discussions, decision-making and governance processes
KOHIMA — Women in Nagaland have among the lowest reported levels of participation in Gram Sabha discussions, decision-making and community-level governance processes, with only 80% of respondents affirming their participation, according to a national study released on June 30.
The finding was published in the National Study Report on ‘Low Participation in Gram Sabha across States and Union Territories.’
Among the states surveyed, Assam, Himachal Pradesh and Manipur recorded 100% positive responses regarding women's participation in Gram Sabha meetings.
Other states with high levels of reported participation included Kerala (98.7%), Maharashtra (97.7%), Odisha (97.5%), Jharkhand (96.4%), Arunachal Pradesh (95.9%) and Tamil Nadu (95.0%).
Jammu and Kashmir recorded the lowest reported level of women's participation at 48.7%, followed by Rajasthan (57.3%), Haryana (64.5%), Telangana (70.1%), Punjab (78.8%) and Nagaland (80%).
Among the north-eastern states covered in the survey, Assam and Manipur recorded 100% participation, followed by Arunachal Pradesh (95.9%), Sikkim (90.9%), Tripura (83.5%) and Nagaland (80%).
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The report clarified that the findings reflect respondents' perceptions and community-level views regarding women's participation and should not be interpreted as direct observational measurements of actual participation levels or the quality of engagement in Gram Sabha proceedings.
On the issue of low active participation in decision-making, the report stated that socio-cultural factors, livelihood responsibilities, mobility constraints, local participation practices and differing governance conditions may continue to influence women's participation across regions.
It further calrified that women's participation in Gram Sabha processes should not be understood solely in terms of attendance, but also in relation to opportunities for discussion, involvement in decision-making, confidence in expressing views and institutional responsiveness to women's concerns.
The report, prepared by the National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRDPR), Hyderabad, was submitted to the Ministry of Panchayati Raj.
According to the report, the study covered nearly 7,800 respondents across about 400 Gram Panchayats in 26 states and Union territories, spanning 213 districts, including PESA areas and Women-Friendly Gram Panchayats. A total of 240 responses were collected from Nagaland.
Overall, the survey found that respondents in several states and Union territories believed women actively participate in Gram Sabha meetings.