Abstract

Empowering women is complex and multidimensional, encompassing not just the social and economic spheres but also the political sphere. It entails tackling the structural inequities and power imbalances that perpetuate genderbased discrimination and exclusion, as well as fostering women’s full involvement and agency in all sectors of life. Local governance, a system of decentralized decision-making and service delivery at the sub-national level, has
been recognized as a crucial arena for promoting women’s empowerment and advancing gender equality. Establishing
PRIs in India was a critical step towards decentralization and democratization of governance. It was also a reaction
to requests made for a more extended period for increased participation from the grassroots level and greater local
autonomy. PRIs are local government bodies obliged to incorporate women and other marginalized groups in
decision-making. They provide essential services and infrastructure at the village, block, and district levels. PRIs
have been recognized as a fruitful channel for advancing the cause of women’s empowerment because they make
it possible for women to take part in the governance of their communities and have a voice in making choices that
impact their everyday lives. The 73rd Amendment made women eligible for a reservation of one-third of the seats
in PRIs, which has resulted in a considerable increase in the proportion of women serving in these institutions.
PRIs can contribute to more inclusive and equitable development results by furthering the broader goals of gender
equality and social justice by empowering women through local governance. As a result, this piece of research
aims to investigate the function that PRIs play in advancing women’s empowerment in India, with a particular
emphasis on their influence on political involvement and decision-making