Despite increased political representation, Elected Women Representatives (EWRs) in Panchayati Raj Institutions continue to face barriers to effective participation and leadership. In this context, discuss the challenges EWRs face and suggest reforms needed to enable gender-inclusive grassroots governance.

Challenges faced by EWRs

(A) Effective participation (1) Culture of 'Sarpanch-pati' or proxy representation -> no effective representation (2) No access to material resources and finances -> only token participation (3) Deep entrenched patriarchy -> Dual Burden + low acceptance (4) Bypassed in decision taking process (5) Non-cooperation by male members

(B) Barriers to leadership (6) Changing of seats (post-delimitation) -> doesn't allow leaders to emerge (7) Non-Acceptance as leaders eg. Mukta Ben Patel (Gj) -> faced 11 No confidence by male members (8) Limited training for leadership roles -> often not able to display skills of leadership. (9) Frequent disruption of Panchayats & no regular meeting -> not able to assert

Reforms Needed (A) Manishankar Aiyar Committee -> Punishment to proxy-representation -> Regular audit of women led Panchayats (2) Saheli NGO recommendation -> Regular Training of women leaders -> formation of National federation of women leaders (3) Awarding women leaders eg. Fatima Bi (Andhra) - UNDP Award for fight against poverty (4) Suggestion by Chhavi Rajawat (first MBA Sarpanch) -> Educational Qualification for women leaders -> Increasing remuneration (current - only Rs 6,000/month on average)

(5) Capacity Building of leaders