Women often form the backbone of grassroots movements in India, yet they remain largely invisible and excluded from the decision-making process. Examine.

Reasons for invisibility & Exclusion in Decision Making

(1) Entrenched patriarchy → doesn't allow autonomy to make decision

(2) Uncooperation from male members

• Eg: Muktaben Patel (Sarpanch, GJ) → saw non-following of her orders by officers

(3) Lack of representation

• (only 14% → women MPs)

(4) Proxy-culture in decision making

• Eg: Sarpanch Pati

(5) Lack of independence to make decision

• Eg: most women financially dependent on husband

(6) Systemic exclusion → due to perceived lack of capability in women's to take decision.

(7) Suffering from very disease of being women → discrimination has reinforced idea of subjudgation among women → no decision

(8) In a professional domain → glass ceiling : prevent them from reaching uphill decisional roles

(9) Limited self-worth & self-autonomy.

Way forward (1) Role Modelling (Eg) - Sudha Murthy (2) Quota in decisional roles (Eg) - fixed women ministers (3) Awareness Campaign (Eg) - something like "dadi hun, kar sakti hun" (4) Challenging patriarchal foundation "A nation cant progress, unless women takes her decision by herself"

• BR Ambedkar