Mahila sabha
Topic: Panchayati Raj: Rural Local Government · NCERT: Class 9, Ch 6 "Democracy"
Meaning
A mahila sabha is a meeting of the women voters of a village or panchayat. It is often held before the gram sabha. Women can talk freely there about their own needs, such as drinking water, health or safety. They then carry these priorities into the gram sabha and the village plan. It helps women have a real voice, beyond simply holding reserved seats.
Example
Before a gram sabha meets to approve the Gram Panchayat Development Plan, the women of the village may hold a mahila sabha and ask for a drinking-water project. Studies show women leaders tend to invest more in such goods (Chattopadhyay and Duflo, 2004).
Don't confuse with
- Gram sabha (Art. 243A): the assembly of all registered voters of the panchayat area, both men and women. It is required by the Constitution. The mahila sabha is a women-only meeting held before it.
Related concepts
- 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act 1992
- Compulsory and voluntary provisions of the 73rd Amendment
- National Panchayati Raj Day
- Gram sabha
- Three-tier panchayat system