ROLE OF WOMEN IN MAKING POLICY DECISIONS–NEED FOR EQUAL REPRESENTATION OF WOMEN LEADEERS IN THE GOVERNMENT OF TELANGANA

Dr. C. ARUNA JYOTHI

Volume : IV, Issue : III, March - 2015

ROLE OF WOMEN IN MAKING POLICY DECISIONS–NEED FOR EQUAL REPRESENTATION OF WOMEN LEADEERS IN THE GOVERNMENT OF TELANGANA

Dr. C. Aruna Jyothi

Abstract :

The challenges for women are increasing year after year and their participation is limited only to represent the political wing instead of being allowed to play an active role in overall development of the nation. This paper analyses the importance of women in political leadership and what role they can play in national development by reviewing the work done by some of the women leaders from the Telangana Region within their portfolio. Research on panchayats (local councils) in India discovered that the number of drinking water projects in areas with female–led councils was 62 per cent higher than in those with male–led councils. Women�s representation in informal decision–making processes is often more common than their representation in formal positions and structures, but it tends to be hidden and therefore not as highly valued as it should be. In order to deepen democracy at the local, national and international level, it is important to ensure that women and men are able to participate on equal terms in both formal and informal decision–making structures. The paper analysed the importance of women in political leadership and what role they can play in national development by reviewing the work done by some of the women leaders from the Telangana Region within their portfolio and it is termed important because Telangana is the 29th state of India and the first government of Telangana doesn�t represent any women leader in the cabinet of ministers despite the fact there is a national and state legislation in place which demands women representation in the government though there were capable women leaders in the government who could hold important portfolios. Women have demonstrated considerable leadership in community and informal organizations, as well as in public office. However, socialization and negative stereotyping of women and men, including stereotyping through the media, reinforces the tendency for political decision–making to remain the domain of men.