In recent years, there has been much celebration about the rise of women’s participation in grassroots democracy, with around 48,000 women elected to panchayat-level bodies. Yet, despite these encouraging numbers, one can hardly see their presence where it truly matters — in the everyday functioning of village governance. The question remains: why are so many of these elected women nowhere to be seen? The answer lies in the persistent social and administrative barriers that prevent them from exercising genuine power and in the failure to strengthen the one institution that could transform rural democracy — the Gram Sabha.
Winning an election is only the first step in a much longer journey. For many women, that victory is overshadowed by the realities of proxy leadership. In countless villages, husbands, fathers, brothers, or local political agents operate behind the scenes, using the woman’s name and position to maintain control. Instead of becoming decision-makers, these women are often reduced to signatures on documents or names on letterheads. Added to this are the institutional handicaps they face: lack of awareness of administrative processes, inadequate training, and the constant delays and complications in accessing funds and approvals. Social pressures too play their part — discouraging women from speaking up in public meetings or taking bold stances that challenge male-dominated structures.
But the true heart of local democracy is not the sarpanch, not the BDO, nor the Secretary. It is the Gram Sabha — the general assembly of all adult residents of a village. The Constitution gave this body enormous power, yet in practice, it remains underused or deliberately weakened. When the Gram Sabha meets regularly, debates openly, and passes resolutions, it becomes the real seat of authority in the village. It can identify beneficiaries of government schemes, decide local priorities, and demand transparency in the use of funds. A strong Gram Sabha makes the bureaucratic officials — the BDO and the Secretary — answerable to the people rather than the other way around. In such a system, no official has the right to “tell you anything” arbitrarily, because the decisions are made by the collective will of the people.
To strengthen the Gram Sabha is to reclaim power from bureaucracy and politics alike. When villagers assemble in large numbers and make public decisions, there is little space for manipulation. Resolutions passed in these meetings create formal records that carry legal weight. This reduces the possibility of interference from outside and compels the BDO or Secretary to act according to the people’s mandate. Regular Gram Sabha meetings also help ensure that development plans and welfare schemes truly reach those who need them, not those who are politically connected. It transforms government work from a favor into a right, and turns citizens from mere beneficiaries into participants.
If villagers genuinely wish to stop being a burden on political parties, they must begin by strengthening their Gram Sabhas. Every adult should attend the meetings, insist on a clear agenda, demand that proceedings be written down and made public, and question how funds are spent. Transparency is the strongest weapon in local democracy. Publishing lists of beneficiaries, budgets, and completed works removes the veil of secrecy that corrupt officials and local elites depend upon. Elected women should not stand alone — they should unite with other members, youth groups, and self-help groups to form networks of support. Together, they can share knowledge, resist manipulation, and build collective confidence to make decisions.
Civil society and government agencies also have a responsibility here. Training sessions for elected women should go beyond symbolic ceremonies; they must teach the practicalities of budgeting, government schemes, and the legal rights of Gram Sabhas. Legal literacy enables women and villagers to question authority with confidence and prevents misuse of their inexperience. Social audits and the Right to Information (RTI) Act can be powerful allies when officials or contractors fail to respond. A well-documented Gram Sabha resolution attached to an RTI or audit complaint carries the strength of community consensus and law combined.
Political parties often claim to empower women by giving them tickets, but empowerment ends where control begins. Too often, parties see local elections as tools for patronage rather than self-governance. Villagers can reverse this trend by asserting that elected women will represent their communities, not their parties. Any attempt to use them as proxies should be openly condemned in the Gram Sabha. When decisions are taken publicly, recorded officially, and shared transparently, political manipulation loses its grip.
The most precious assets of any village — its lands, forests, ponds, and commons — are often the first targets of outside influence and greed. When Gram Sabhas are inactive, these resources are easily leased, sold, or diverted without public consent. A vigilant Gram Sabha can protect these lands by asserting its legal right to be consulted before any such transaction. Across India, villages that have exercised this power have managed to preserve their natural wealth and even generate local employment by managing resources collectively. Land once lost can rarely be reclaimed; thus, vigilance is not an option, it is a duty.
For democracy to be real, it must live at the village level. The role of the state government is to empower, not dominate. Funds and functions must be devolved in spirit and not only in official documents. Civil society, journalists, and academic institutions can assist by documenting success stories, conducting awareness drives, and helping villagers understand their rights. The future of local democracy will depend not on the promises of politicians but on the participation of ordinary citizens who insist that the village belongs to them, not to any party or official.
In conclusion, the figure of 48,000 women representatives will have true meaning only when each of them becomes a visible, active, and respected leader within her Gram Sabha. Numbers matter only when backed by action. A strong Gram Sabha can liberate villages from bureaucratic dominance, safeguard their lands, and ensure that government schemes serve the people they were meant for. It is time to remember that the village is not the property of political parties, nor the playground of officials — it is the living heart of democracy itself. If villagers rise, participate, and hold power in their own hands, then no BDO, no Secretary, and no party will dare to dictate. The time has come to stop being a burden and start being the backbone of change — to save your village, your lands, and your dignity.