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POLITICAL PARTICIPATION OF TRIBAL

WOMEN

IN TRIPURA:

A Case Study of Amtali Village


Committee

Group- 09

Contents
1. Introduction
1.1
Formulation of the Problems
1.2
Objectives of the Study
1.3
Hypothesis
1.4
Findings of the Study
1.5
Significance of the Study
2. Methodology
2.1
Method of the Study
2.2
Sample
2.3 Data collection & Analysis
3. A Case Study on Amtali Village Committee
4. Suggestions
5. Conclusion
6. References
7. Contributors

1.Introduction
The term Political Participation, has a very wide meaning. It is not
only related to Right to Vote, but simultaneously it is related to participation
in; decision making process, political activism, political consciousness etc. India
is the cusp of paradigm change in its growth and its position in the world. Both
men and women must act decisively to capture this opportunity. Political
supremacy is the key to extracting better social deal. Therefore the Constitution
of India makes provisions for women reservation and empowerment for their
upliftment. After 73rd Amendment Act, 1992 Tripura has taken a step towards
womens political participation and empowerment like other states of India.
The 73 rd Amendment Act inserted an Article 243(D) in the constitution
which deals with reservation of seats and political offices for women in PRIs.
As per the Article, 1/3 of the total seats shall be reserved for ST and SC Women
in the Panchayats and in the office of the Chairperson. However, there is the
presence of gender inequality between men and women. Liberal Feminism
argues that the women are essentially of same human capacity as males, which
is forgotten by sexual division of labour and patriarchy. In a step towards
womens empowerment, Tripura Cabinet has decided to reserve 50 per cent
seats for them in 3 tier Panchayats and Nagar Palikas. After learning about the
reservation women started to take interest in politics as well as empowerment
through participation.
The empowerment of women is one of the concepts that, has developed in
connection with improving their status. Raising the status of tribal women is not
just a moral imperative but also a strategic one. Within the framework of a
democratic policy, our laws, developmental policies, plans and programmes
have aimed at womens advancement in different spheres. In recent years, the

empowerment of women has been recognized as a central issue in determining


their status.
1.1 Formulation of the Research Problems
Tripura is a state in the North-East India and the third smallest
state in the country. According to the 2011 census the state has 36, 71,032
residents out of them Schedule Tribes form about 30 per cent of Tripuras
populations. There are 19 tribes and many sub- tribes in Tripura. However, the
tribal women face the problems and challenges in getting a sustainable
livelihood and decent life due to environmental degradation, lack of education,
health, economic problems etc. Therefore, the strategy for tribal women needs
improvement, settlement, development and upliftment to effect their political
empowerment. Although the common mass of Tripura is much more politically
aware and consequently the tribal women of Tripura are enjoying 50 per cent
reservations policy in the local bodies. But in practically the tribal women
hardly get access for the decision making structure and process. Why is it so?
1.2 Objectives of the Study
The main focus of the study is participation of tribal women in
structural politics and decision making process. As discussed earlier, their
participation in the decision making process is very low. It is necessary to find
out the bottlenecks that prevent the political participation in the decision making
process of tribal women in a meaningful manner, and hence obstructs their
empowerment. The main objectives of the study are as follows:
To study the socio-economic and political background of the tribal
women in Tripura.
To assess the role of women as decision makers in the capacity of
member of the State Assembly, TTAADC and Parliament.

To know whether they have got any training on Village Committee


activity, rules and regulations, functions etc. and to assess the impact
of training on their role performance.
To know the level of improvement among them being a member of
village committee and what kind of problems they are facing in
playing their role as the member of the Village Committee.
To identify the various obstacles in the path of womens political
empowerment.
1.3 Hypothesis
The following hypothesis has been taken in account which had been
tested in the study:
Does the socio-economic and cultural environment of women determine
womens level of political participation?
Does the lack of political awareness affect womens political
participation?
Is political participation of women overshadowed by Gender
Consideration?
Does the culture of violence in politics affect womens participation in
politics?
1.4 Findings of the Study:
The Survey had been carried out at the Charilam R.D. Block,
Sepahijala District which is divided administratively into 11 Gram Panchayat
and 10 Village Committees with a total population of 67833 (male-34134,
female-33699, according to 2011 census). Out of these the Schedule Tribes
population consists of 26766 (male-13225, female-13541). For the convenient
of the survey we have selected 1 Village Committees out of the 10 Village
Committees, the Amtali Village Committee.

1.5 Significance of the Study


The significance of the study can hardly be estimated. Political
participation by tribal women, who constitute nearly 50% of the total tribal
population of the state, is necessary for the healthy working of a democratic
polity which is supposed to be a rule by the people, for the people and of the
people.
Hence, the need for a study of tribal womens political participation in
regional-local context. This will also help to identify the factors which create
hurdles in the way of meaningful participation by tribal women in politics,
which can finally ensure their empowerment. The study is a significant effort
because not much has been written on tribal women and politics in Tripura, and
there is a serious lack of information about tribal womens political activities in
Tripura.

2.Methodology
2.1 Method of the Study:
The Study is an Empirical Study of Tribal Women in structural politics
in Tripura. The method of Social Survey has been applied. Among the various
methods in social survey, sample survey method has been adopted. Apart from
this, participatory and case study methods have been used marginally. Through
participative method it was possible to have some in-depth information, which
enriched the data- analysis.

2.2 Sample:
In order to collect the data the methods of Random Sampling and Quota
Sampling have been used in this study. There are 10 Village Committees; out of
this we had selected 1 Village Committee with 10 respondents.

2.3

Data Collection:

Some data has been collected through secondary sources such as books,
booklets, newspapers, internet, Govt. Gazette notifications, journals, etc.
Some data through structure scheduled has been collected from the
selected 10 respondents from structural political body and the local
villagers.
Some data has been collected through personal interviews, telephonic
interviews and group discussions.
Some data has been collected from Block Office.
2.3 Data Analysis:
This data analysis deals with the populations sex wise respondents,
education, political representatives, ration card holders, Pension Holders, voters,
etc.
Table 1: Population (R.D. Block)

Male

Female

34134
ST - 13225

33699
ST-13541

Total
67833
26766

Source: Charilam R.D. Block


Table 2: Population of Amtali V.C

Male

Total
Female

1655

Source:Charilam R.D. Block

1751

3406

Table 3: ST families with Ration Card holders (R.D.


Block)

APL

BPL

Antoday

3930

1155

632

Annapurn

Total

a
92

5901

Source: Charilam R.D. Block

Table 4: Literacy Rate in the Charilam R.D. Block

Male

Female

95%

Total

85%

90%

Source: Charilam R.D. Block


Table 5: Pension Holders (R.D. Block)

Men

Women

ST-506
SC-257
OBC-348
Minorities-81
General-93
Male Total-1802

ST-524
SC-563
OBC-431
Minorities-130
General-135
Female Total-1539

Total (Men+
Women)
1030
820
779
211
228
Grand Total-3347

Source: Charilam R.D. Block


Table 6: Voters of Amtali V.C

Male
980
Source: Amtali V.C

Female
1062

Total
2042

Table 7: Political Representatives of V.C (R.D. Block)

Name of the

Male

Female

Total

3
5
5
4
3
4
5
4
5

6
4
4
3
4
3
4
5
4

9
9
9
7
7
7
9
9
9

V.C
1.Amtali
2.Bastali
3.Bathanmura
4.Chelikhala
5.Padmanagar
6.Bangshibari
7.Rangmala
8.Sutarmura
9.Ramnagar
10.Dhariathal

Grand Total-75+

Source: Charilam R.D. Block


Table 8: Chairperson of V.C (R.D. Block)

Male
4
Source: Charilam R.D. Block

Female

Total

10

Table 9: Vice- Chairperson of V.C ( R.D. Block)

Male
9

Female
1

Total
10

Source: Charilam R.D. Block


Table 10: Voters of TTAADC election (2015)

Male

Female
383437
375117
Source: TTAADC office, Khumulwng

Total
758554

Table 12: Representatives in the TTAADC

Male
Female
25+( 2 Nominated) =27
3
Source: TTAADC office, Khumulwng

Total
30

Table 13: Womens Representation in Tripura Legislative


Assembly
Contested
Year Mal
e

Elected

Fema

ST

Tota % of

Mal

Fema

ST

Tota % of

le

Fema

le

Fema

le

Fema
le

le

Femal
e

1987-

213

07

220

3.18

58

02

60

3.33

88
199

392

15

407

3.68

59

60

1.66

3-94
199

243

23

266

8.64

53

60

1.66

7-98
200

237

17

254

6.69

59

60

1.66

3-04
200

282

31

313

9.36

57

60

8-09
201

234

15

249

6.02

55

60

8.33

3-14

Source: 1) Kiran Sankar Chakraborty:Empowerment and Status of Women in


Tripura ,2) State Election Commission, Tripura.

3.A Case Study on Amtali Village Committee:

The Village which we had surveyed was Amtali ADC Village, which is situated
10Km away from Charilam R.D. Block. There are 803 families and 3406
populations. This Village Committee is divided into 05 Wards and has 09
representatives. This Village is completely dominated by the tribals so, all the
seats are reserved for tribals. Here, 06 seats are reserved for women
representatives. In 2011 ADC Village election Smt. Namita Debbarma had been
elected as the Chairperson of Amtali Village Committee. In the recent 2016
election she was elected again as its Chairperson. But when we interviewed her
she told us that the women had many queries regarding the political
participation of women and their empowerment in the decision making process.
She told us they need more and more training, so that they are awareness
regarding their rights and duties, the powers and function of the ADC Village
Committee which is conferred by the Constitution of India. She told us that
most of the women members are busy with their domestic affairs that make
them unable to come to the office regularly. This shows that they are still
overruled by their male counterparts or husband. Due to these problems with the
help of male representatives they run the Village Committee office and
performed their duty. She informed us that, due to insufficient funds they could
not implement the all village developmental projects like for 1062 female only
10 sewing machines are provided. This overall shows that the women of Amtali
Village Committee should participate more in the decision making process.
Limitation during Survey
Time is very limited
Inconvenience when collecting data due to lack of sufficient information

4. Suggestions
The following suggestions can be put forward for consideration: Need to encourage the tribal women to take leadership role in decision
making and also to meet social responsibilities.
Not on the political empowerment, economic empowerment of women
also should be ensured so, that they become self reliant.
More space should be given by the family so that they are able to perform
their duties properly and participate in the decision making process.
Training is also essential for capacity building of elected tribal women
representatives of 3-tier Panchayat for been competent in every sphere of
political process.
Improvement in education, health, economic and social issues.
5. Conclusion
From the above tables and discussion it becomes evident that the
participation of tribal women is not mentioning. The trend of women
participation all over the world remains more or less the same with a few
exceptions. The above depiction of different aspect of tribal women
representation in the politics in Tripura does not provide a hopeful picture in the
context of women empowerment in Tripura. It may easily expressed that if,
participation of tribal women in decision making process is taken to be an
indicator or gender empowerment measurement in favour of women then the
women of Tripura may be considered to be far from empowered. Tribal women
Tripura in spite of their strong presence in political arena still lack spoke person
in the Legislative bodies, administration and top decision making bodies.
Though their large participation in all area of formal and non formal
politics are very prominent in Tripura. The positive experience of tribal women
participation in the local bodies strongly argues in favour of them. In short, in
spite of large participation of tribal women in voting and non formal political

affairs with great enthusiasm and with top leadership skills show that they are
fully capable of participate in all decision making bodies and process. It is only
necessary to identify barriers to tribal womens full participation in decision
making bodies and a sincere effort to those constraints.
6. REFERENCES
i.

Chakrabororty, Kiran Sankar (2008): Empowerment and Status of

ii.

Women in Tripura
Sinha,Niroj (2007): Empowerment of Women Through Political

iii.

Participation
Government of Tripura : List of Women MLAs, Tripura Legislative

iv.

Assemble
Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Village Committee
(Administration) Rule 2006,Published Extraordinary Issue of Tripura

v.

Gazette, Agartala, January 21,2006


Information of Village Committee Department, TTAADC, Published

vi.
vii.

in the Extraordinary Issue of Tripura Gazette, Agartala, April 01,2006


Profile of Charilam R.D.Block, Sipahijala District, Govt. Of Tripura
Tripura, Babudhan, Role of Women Representatives in TTAADC
Village Committe: A Case Study paper presented in the national
seminar ICSSR NE sponsored, organized by Govt. Degree College

Gandacherra, Dhalai Tripura ,2013


viii. Majumdar, Dr. Chandrika Basu: Political Empowerment and Women
ix.
x.

of Tripura: An Overview.
Saxena, Alka: Women and Political Leadership
Vali, Md. Mastan(2002): Women and Politics

7. List of the Contributors:


i.

Dehar Joy Reang, Roll No. 48, Add. Vill-Wainsukta para


P.O/P.S- Ananda Bazar
Dist- North Tripura
Pin- 799271
Contact- 8974250848

ii.

Partha Deb, Roll No-39,

Add. Vill + P.O- Chhota Surma


P.S- Kamalpur
Dist- Dhalai Tripura
Pin- 799285
Contact- 9774119241

iii.

Padma Sundari Molsom, Roll No- 26, Add- Vill + P.O- Thelakumg
P.S- Takarjala
Dist- Sipahijala
Pin- 799102
Contact- 8415012378

iv.

Rita Debbarma, Roll No- 08, Add- Vill- Binanjamadar


P.O- Janmejoy nagar
P.S- Radhapur
Dist- West Tripura
Pin- 799045
Contact- 8119803902
v.

Mrimoy Uchoi, Roll No- 53, Add- Vill-Thanda Chandra Uchoi Para
P.O- Jatanbari
P.S- Nutanbazar
Dist- Gomati Tripura
Pin- 799104
Contact- 8974165826

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