Gender Inequality, Differences, and Identities: Women and Local Governance in Karnataka

Cultural and social exclusion from the political system resulted in women and other disadvantaged sections of population being alienated from politics and governance. The reservation of seats in local governance has offered women new political space and an opportunity to participate in governance. Equality in opportunity, however, did not guarantee effective participation of women. Non-participation of women in local governance is a consequence of many interrelated factors. Socio-cultural constraints manifested in the gender inequalities, and differences among women, resulted in the construction of a non-political identity. The multiple identities of women and the resulting dilemmas they faced, only contributed to limited participation.