Guwahati: As Assam gears up for the second phase of Panchayat elections on May 7th, the Dhubri district serves as a focal point for examining the gap between mandated women’s representation and actual female autonomy. While the Election Commission has stipulated a 50% reservation of seats for women, concerns are being voiced regarding the degree of freedom these female candidates possess.
In Dhubri, especially within minority-dominated remote villages and riverine areas known as “chars,” entrenched patriarchal structures continue to hold substantial sway. Traditional systems like “dewani” and “matbbar,” where community leaders wield considerable influence, are cited as examples of this persistent patriarchal control.
Despite government initiatives aimed at promoting women’s empowerment, the reserved seats have, in certain instances, resulted in women being used as figureheads. Election campaign materials, including banners and posters, often display the female candidate’s name and photograph alongside those of her spouse and, occasionally, male relatives, reinforcing the perception of male dominance.
Dhubri district has a voter base totaling 10,52,452, with 5,42,630 male voters and 5,09,807 female voters. The district comprises 20 Zilla Parishad seats, 10 Anchalik Panchayat seats, and 128 Gaon Panchayat seats, with a 50% reservation for women in each category.
However, sources indicate that limited education among women in these remote areas contributes to a lack of genuine independence. Even though the number of female voters is almost equal to that of male voters, their autonomy is reportedly significantly lower in these regions.
This scenario raises questions about the efficacy of seat reservations in truly empowering women, emphasizing the need for broader societal shifts to ensure meaningful female participation in local governance. The upcoming elections will serve as a critical test of whether these reservations translate into genuine empowerment for women in Dhubri.
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