Perception on Performance of Women Ward Members in Odisha: A Study

Seventy Third Constitutional amendment empowered rural women through 33% reservation of seats in panchayati raj institutions. Accordingly, Odisha State conducted panchayat election in the year 1997, 2002, 2007, 2012 and 2017. At the gram panchayat level women ward members were found on one third seat reservation basis. Their representation came from different castes, religion, education, age and profession. In the last gram panchayat election, more number of educated women ward members were elected. Generally, the ward members played their role performance in fulfilling the requirements of the people. But how far the people assessed the role performance of women ward members. In order to know their role performance, an attempt was taken to conduct a study and as such researcher asked questions to the people. The study reveals that women ward members were very much aware about the local problems and had taken steps to solve the local problem as well as the women related issues. The people of the panchayat were aware about the working of women ward members. The members kept good relations with the fellow ward members, Sarapanchas, Panchayat Samiti members and Zilla Parishad members. The women ward members focused on the suggestive measure for the development of the wards under gram panchayat.