Mahera Imam
Introduction
The participation of women in governance has been a cornerstone of democratic decentralization in India, aimed at fostering inclusive decision-making and equitable rural development. The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992 was a landmark reform that institutionalized gender representation by reserving one-third (33%) of seats for women in Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs). This affirmative action policy significantly increased women’s political participation, enabling them to take on leadership roles as sarpanches (village heads) and panchayat members, thereby shaping governance at the grassroots level (Buch, 2010).
Over the past three decades, women’s involvement in PRIs has contributed to policy shifts in education, healthcare, sanitation, and economic empowerment, reflecting a more inclusive governance approach. However, despite these advancements, the digital divide remains a formidable barrier to the effective participation of women in local governance. As Gurumurthy and Chami (2016) highlight, the digital divide is not merely a lack of access to technology but is deeply rooted in socio-economic inequalities, gender norms, and digital literacy gaps. Women leaders in PRIs often face multiple constraints, including limited access to digital infrastructure, as many rural areas lack adequate internet connectivity, digital devices, and technical support, making it difficult for women representatives to engage with e-governance platforms and information systems.
Additionally, low levels of digital literacy hinder their ability to navigate government portals, access welfare schemes, and participate in virtual training programs. Whereas socio-cultural restrictions such as traditional gender roles, mobility limitations, and patriarchal norms discourage women from using technology, reinforcing their exclusion from digital governance processes. Even when digital governance initiatives such as the Digital India program aim to promote technological inclusion, the gendered digital divide persists due to inadequate training, financial constraints, and a lack of localized digital empowerment programs. This blog explores the impact of the digital divide on women’s leadership in PRIs and highlights the potential of digital inclusion to enhance their governance capacities.
Addressing this divide is crucial to strengthening women’s leadership in PRIs. Digital inclusion through enhanced infrastructure, literacy programs, and policy support can empower women representatives to effectively engage in governance, access information, and make informed decisions. Bridging the digital gap is not just about technology; it is about ensuring equitable access to democratic participation and enabling women to fully exercise their leadership potential in rural governance.
Women’s Representation in PRIs: Achievements and Challenges
The introduction of reservations for women in PRIs has led to remarkable improvements in their political participation. Studies indicate that as of 2021, over 46% of elected representatives in PRIs are women, exceeding the mandated 33% reservation in several states (Ministry of Panchayati Raj, 2021). Women-led panchayats have been associated with increased focus on issues such as education, health, and sanitation, which directly benefit local communities (Chattopadhyay & Duflo, 2004).
Despite these achievements, women leaders face numerous challenges. Many are proxy candidates for male relatives due to deep-seated patriarchal norms, limiting their independent decision-making power (Rai, 2017). Additionally, women in PRIs often lack adequate training in governance and digital literacy, which hinders their ability to leverage technological tools for effective administration (Drèze & Sen, 2013).
The Digital Divide and Its Impact on Women in PRIs
The digital divide refers to the gap between individuals who have access to digital technologies
and those who do not. This divide is particularly stark for rural women in India, who face
multiple barriers to digital inclusion:
- Limited Access to Technology: According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), only 42% of women in rural India have ever used the internet, compared to 62% of men (NFHS, 2020-21). The lack of digital access limits women’s ability to engage with e-governance initiatives and online platforms for policymaking.
- Digital Illiteracy: A significant proportion of rural women lack the necessary digital skills to effectively utilize online resources for governance (Gurumurthy et al., 2019). Training programs for women in PRIs remain inadequate, preventing them from accessing government schemes, policy updates, and development opportunities.
- Socio-Cultural Barriers: Deeply entrenched gender norms restrict women’s mobility and decision-making power, further impeding their digital participation. In many rural areas, families discourage women from using mobile phones or accessing the internet, reinforcing their exclusion from digital governance platforms (Kelkar, 2020).
Few Case Studies on Women Leaders Bridging the Digital Divide
- Chhavi Rajawat, Rajasthan: Chhavi Rajawat, the sarpanch of Soda village in Rajasthan, is one of the few highly educated women leaders who have utilized digital tools to implement e-governance initiatives. She introduced digital literacy programs and e-governance applications to improve administrative efficiency and transparency in her panchayat (Bhatnagar, 2021).
- Rajni Devi, Haryana: Rajni Devi, a sarpanch from Haryana, leveraged WhatsApp and online portals to enhance communication between villagers and government officials. Her digital initiatives have streamlined grievance redressal mechanisms, making governance more accessible to rural women (Mehrotra, 2019).
- Kusum Devi, Bihar: As a panchayat member in Bihar, Kusum Devi championed digital literacy campaigns targeting women. By collaborating with NGOs and tech firms, she facilitated workshops on mobile banking, online education, and accessing government welfare schemes (Ministry of Electronics & IT, 2022).
The Potential of Digital Inclusion in Strengthening Women’s Leadership
Digital inclusion can play a transformative role in enhancing women’s participation in PRIs by addressing key challenges and providing them with essential tools to govern effectively. Some key benefits of digital empowerment include:
- Access to Information and Resources: Digital platforms enable women leaders to access real-time information about government schemes, financial allocations, and rural development programs. Initiatives like the National e-Governance Plan (NeGP) aim to bridge the digital gap by providing internet connectivity in rural areas (Mehrotra, 2019).
- Capacity Building and Training: Digital literacy programs targeted at women representatives can equip them with essential governance skills. The Ministry of Panchayati Raj has launched initiatives such as e-Panchayat, which facilitates online training for panchayat leaders (Ministry of Electronics & IT, 2022).
- Enhanced Participation in Decision-Making: Technology enables women leaders to engage in virtual meetings, interact with stakeholders, and participate in policy discussions at the state and national levels. Mobile applications designed for governance, such as the Gram Swaraj App, provide women sarpanches with tools to monitor developmental projects and financial transactions (Bhatnagar, 2021).
Bridging the Digital Divide: Pathways for Gender-Equitable Governance
To ensure that women in PRIs can fully exercise their leadership potential, it is imperative to bridge the digital divide through targeted interventions. Sen’s (1999) notion of “development as freedom” underscores the importance of access to technology as an enabler of agency and participatory governance. The following measures are crucial in advancing digital inclusion among women leaders in PRIs:
- Digital Literacy and Capacity Building: Training programs aimed at enhancing digital skills among women representatives can empower them to leverage ICT tools for governance, communication, and policy implementation (Gurumurthy & Chami, 2019).
- Infrastructure Development: Expanding broadband connectivity and ensuring access to affordable digital devices in rural areas can reduce structural barriers to digital participation (Jha & Acharya, 2020).
- Policy Support and Institutional Mechanisms: The integration of gender-sensitive digital policies within governance frameworks can promote inclusive participation, ensuring that technology serves as a tool for empowerment rather than exclusion (UN Women, 2021).
- Community-Based Digital Ecosystems: Localized digital hubs and peer-learning initiatives can facilitate knowledge-sharing and strengthen women’s digital engagement at the grassroots level (Mohanty, 2022).
Conclusion: Digital Inclusion as a Cornerstone of Gender Equitable Governance
The effective participation of women in Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) is not only a matter of political representation but also a crucial factor in fostering inclusive governance and rural development. However, the digital divide continues to be a structural barrier that limits women’s agency, decision-making power, and access to critical governance tools. As Nancy Fraser (1990) argues, genuine participatory parity in governance requires equitable access to communicative and technological resources.
Without digital access and literacy, women representatives in PRIs remain constrained in their ability to engage meaningfully with policy frameworks, administrative mechanisms, and public service delivery. Bridging the digital divide is, therefore, not merely about providing technological infrastructure but about ensuring that digital access translates into empowerment. This aligns with Amartya Sen’s (1999) concept of “development as freedom,” which emphasizes that true development occurs when individuals have the capability to make choices and exercise agency in their socio-political environments.
Digital literacy, affordable internet access, and supportive policy frameworks are necessary steps toward enabling women leaders to participate effectively in governance. Whereas Martha Nussbaum’s (2000) capabilities approach underscores the importance of technology in expanding women’s opportunities for political engagement, economic independence, and social inclusion. Without digital inclusion, women in PRIs may find themselves unable to fully exercise their rights and responsibilities, thereby reinforcing existing gender inequalities in rural governance structures.
Ultimately, the pursuit of gender-equitable governance in India necessitates a comprehensive approach that integrates digital inclusion into the broader agenda of political empowerment. Investing in digital capacity-building initiatives, improving access to ICT infrastructure, and formulating gender sensitive digital policies will ensure that women in PRIs are not passive participants but active decision-makers in shaping rural development. The future of democratic governance in India depends on closing this digital gap, thereby transforming PRIs into truly inclusive institutions where women’s leadership is not only recognized but effectively exercised.
References
- Buch, N. (2000). Women’s Experience in New Panchayats: The Emerging Leadership
of Rural Women. Institute of Social Studies Trust. - Fraser, N. (1990). Rethinking the Public Sphere: A Contribution to the Critique of
Actually Existing Democracy. Social Text, (25/26), 56–80. - Gurumurthy, A., & Chami, N. (2016). Digital India through a Gender Lens. IT for
Change. - Gurumurthy, A., & Chami, N. (2019). Data Systems and Women’s Rights in the Digital
Age. GenderIT.org. - Jha, P., & Acharya, S. (2020). Bridging the Digital Divide in Rural India: A Policy
Perspective. Economic and Political Weekly, 55(3), 25–30. - Mohanty, C. (2022). Feminism Without Borders: Decolonizing Theory, Practicing
Solidarity. Duke University Press. - Nussbaum, M. C. (2000). Women and Human Development: The Capabilities
Approach. Cambridge University Press. - Sen, A. (1999). Development as Freedom. Oxford University Press.
- UN Women. (2021). Leveraging Digital Technologies for Gender Equality and
Women’s Empowerment. United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the
Empowerment of Women.
About the contributor: Mahera Imam is a fellow at Young Women Leaders in Public Policy Fellowship 2.0 and a research scholar at the Department of Women’s Studies at Bharathidasan University in Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu.
Disclaimer: All views expressed in the article belong solely to the author and not necessarily to the organisation.
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Acknowledgment: This article was posted by Bhaktiba Jadeja, visiting researcher and assistant editor at IMPRI.
