INTRODUCTION:

Women's emancipation is a critical women's liberation movement that seeks to dismantle the entrenched patriarchal norms and stereotypes that have relegated them to secondary status in Indian society, thereby hindering their social, economic, and political progress (Kabeer, 2005). The trajectory of a nation's progress is inextricably linked to the progress of its women, as aptly articulated by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, "I measure the progress of a community by the degree of progress which women have achieved" (Ambedkar, 1950). Despite comprising nearly half of the population, women's participation in politics, governance, and decision-making processes remains woefully inadequate, perpetuating a cycle of marginalization, exclusion, and socio-economic disparities (Desai and Andrist, 2010). The Indian Constitution's guarantee of equal rights has been insufficient to eradicate the deep-seated biases, discriminatory practices, and structural barriers that women face, underscoring the need for targeted interventions to promote women's empowerment, participation, and inclusive governance (Menon, 2012). Against this backdrop, this study seeks to investigate the complexities of political awareness among women in the Dakshin Dinajpur district of West Bengal, with a specific focus on their knowledge of political institutions, structures, and processes, as well as their participation in the political arena, to identify the gaps and challenges that need to be addressed to enhance their participation in the democratic process.

METHODOLOGY:

This study primarily relies on primary data, supplemented by secondary data from various sources, including books, articles, newspapers, official and unofficial websites, government documents, and other relevant materials. The primary data were collected through a combination of methods, including i). Schedule Method: Pre-tested questionnaire schedules were administered to Panchayat member women to gather quantitative data. ii). Interview Method: In-depth interviews were conducted with 500 women’s to gather qualitative insights into their perceptions and experiences. iii). Focus Group Discussion (FGD): FGDs were conducted with women to gather collective perspectives and opinions on specific issues. iv). Observational Method: The psychological aspects of awareness were judged through oral conversations with the women, and information was cross-checked wherever possible to ensure accuracy and validity. By employing a mix of quantitative and qualitative methods, this study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the research problem. The collected data will be analyzed using statistical and thematic analysis techniques to identify patterns, trends, and themes.

OBJECTIVES:

The primary objectives of this study are:

1. To assess the level of political awareness among women in the Dakshin Dinajpur district of West Bengal.

2. To examine the factors influencing women's participation in politics and governance.

3. To identify the challenges and barriers faced by women in exercising their political rights.

4. To explore the relationship between women's political awareness and their participation in decision-making processes.

RESULT AND DISCUSSION:

Concept of Political Awareness:

In a democratic nation like India, participation in governance is crucial, and awareness plays a significant role in this process (Sen, 1999). Politics involves complex power dynamics, influencing resource distribution, and shaping societal relationships (Foucault, 1980). Political awareness refers to the knowledge and information about a political system, its structures, functions, and issues, enabling citizens to navigate and engage with the system effectively (Dahl, 1998). It's essential for understanding a political system and fostering active participation (Pateman, 1970). Political socialization, through agents like family, school, and media, shapes awareness and informs citizens' perceptions (Hyman, 1959). Historically, women have been excluded from politics, but the Indian Constitution provides equal status and prohibits gender-based discrimination (Kishwar, 1996). Constitutional amendments (73rd and 74th) reserved 33% of seats for women in local governance, and the Women's Reservation Bill aims to reserve 33% of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha seats for women, promoting women's representation and participation. Politics is about power, its distribution, and use, and awareness is key to informed participation (Bachrach and Baratz, 1962). Political awareness shapes opinions and commitments, leading to participation in political processes and influencing policy outcomes (Rosenstone and Hansen, 1993). Understanding political awareness is vital for determining a system's capacity for modernization, development, and democratic consolidation.

Assessing Political Awareness of Rural Women in Dakshin Dinajpur District:

Dakshin Dinajpur, a district in the northern part of West Bengal, was selected for this study. Latitudinal extension of Dakshin Dinajpur district is 26.35.15. to 25.10.55 N and longitudinal extension is 89°00´30´´ E to 87.48.37 E. The study was undertaken in 2025, which covered 8 blocks of Dakshin Dinajpur district. The area of the district is 2219 Km². This study examines the level of political awareness among rural women in Dakshin Dinajpur District, specifically collecting data from 10 villages across 5 blocks: Gangarampur, Harirampur, Tapan, Hili, and Kushmandi. To gather comprehensive insights, the study is structured into three primary components. Firstly, it investigates the socio-economic, political, and educational profiles of the women respondents, encompassing aspects such as age, educational qualification, occupation, marital status, caste, and religion. Secondly, it analyzes the level of political awareness among these women. Lastly, it assesses their participation level in political processes, providing a holistic understanding of their engagement with politics.

The age-wise distribution reveals that the majority of respondents (approximately 74%) fell within the 18-40 age range, with 40% belonging to the 18-30 age group and 34% in the 31-40 age group. The remaining 26% were distributed among older age groups, with 15% between 41-50 years and 11% above 50 years, indicating a predominantly young demographic. Caste-wise analysis shows that nearly half of the respondents (45%) belonged to general castes, while 34% were from Scheduled Castes (SCs), 11% from Other Backward Classes (OBCs) 10% from Scheduled Tribe (ST).

Regarding marital status, the data indicates that 58% of women were married, 39% were unmarried, and 3% were divorced, highlighting a higher proportion of married women among the respondents.

The educational data reveals that a significant proportion of women (28%) are illiterate, while 18% have basic literacy skills up to the elementary level. About 20% of women have completed their secondary education, and 12% have pursued higher secondary education. Furthermore, 12% of women are graduates, and 10% hold postgraduate degrees, indicating a relatively low level of educational attainment.

The occupational analysis shows that the majority of women (48%) are homemakers, managing household responsibilities. Students comprise 28% of the respondents, pursuing higher education. Agricultural laborers account for 20% of the women, working in fields. A small proportion of women (6%) are employed in government jobs, while 4% are engaged in private or self-employment ventures, highlighting the limited economic opportunities in the region. This profile reflects the agrarian and relatively underdeveloped nature of Dakshin Dinajpur.

To gain a deeper understanding of the political awareness of women in Dakshin Dinajpur District, a comprehensive survey was conducted, comprising 16 questions across 5 distinct sections. The responses, which are analyzed below, provide valuable insights into the district's women's perceptions and knowledge of politics.

C. Section 3: Gram Sabha and Representation:

Table 3: Gram Sabha and Representation

Sl No.	Question	Opinions	No. of Respondents	% of Respond-ents
1.	Have you ever attended a Gram Sabha meeting?	Yes	120	24
1.	Have you ever attended a Gram Sabha meeting?	No	380	76
2.	Do you know the roles and responsibilities of the Gram Sabha?	Yes	90	18
2.		No	410	82
3.	Do you know the Name of your legislative Assembly constituency	Yes	180	36
3.		No	320	64
4.	Do you know the Name of your MLA:	Yes	150	30
4.	Do you know the Name of your MLA:	No	350	70
5.	Do you know the Name of your Lok Sabha constituency:	Yes	220	44
5.	Do you know the Name of your Lok Sabha constituency:	No	280	56
6.	Do you know the Name of your MP:	Yes	100	20
6.	Do you know the Name of your MP:	No	400	80

Source: Field Survey, Apr-Sept 2025. Dakshin Dinajpur

Fig no. 5 Dakshin Dinajpur Awareness About Gram Sabha and Representation

E. Section 5: Additional Information:

Table 5: Additional information

Sl No.	Question	Opinions	No. of Respondents	% of Respond-ents
1.	Main challenges in participating local governance	Lack of education	180	36
		Social restrictions	140	28
		Limited mobility	60	12
		Family responsibilities	40	8
		other	80	16
2.	Barriers to accessing government services	Lack of information	220	44
		Corruption	100	20
		Distance to Government office	70	14
		Complex procedure	50	10
		other	60	12
3.	Impact of challenges on participation	Limited participation	250	50
		No impact	120	24
		Decreased confidence	80	16
		other	50	10

Source: Field Survey, Apr-Sept 2025. Dakshin Dinajpur

Table 6: Political Awareness

S. No.	Questions	Response		Percentage
S. No.	Questions	Yes	No	Yes	No
1.	Voting Habit: Do you exercise your right to vote in election?	320	180	64	36
2.	Electoral Experience: Have you ever run for public office contested an election?	20	480	4	96
3.	Community Involvement: Do you attend local government meetings, like those of the Gram Sabha?	180	380	30	70
4.	Party Affiliation: Are you a member of a political party?	80	420	16	84
5.	Organizational Membership: Are you part of any groups, such as labor unions, student organizations, farmer's groups, or women's organizations?	120	380	24	76
6.	Activism: Do you participate in protests, rallies, or demonstrations to show support for a cause?	100	400	20	80

Source: Field Survey, Apr-Sept 2025. Dakshin Dinajpur

Fig no.10 Dakshin Dinajpur Political Participation of Women

The table shows that a significant proportion of respondents (64%) exercise their right to vote, indicating a relatively high level of awareness and participation in the electoral process. However, 36% of respondents do not vote, which could be due to various reasons such as lack of awareness, apathy, or obstacles in accessing polling stations.

In the case of second question the table reveals that a very small percentage of respondents (4%) have contested an election, indicating low levels of political participation and representation among rural women. This could be due to various factors such as lack of experience, resources, or social and cultural barriers.

The tabular data shows that only 30% of respondents participate in Gram Sabha meetings, indicating a relatively low level of engagement with local governance. This could be due to various reasons such as lack of awareness, limited opportunities for participation, or social and cultural barriers.

In the case of forth question data suggests that a small proportion of respondents (16%) are affiliated with a political party, indicating low levels of formal political engagement. This could be due to various factors such as lack of interest, limited opportunities, or dissatisfaction with party politics.

The data also reveals that 24% of respondents are members of people's organizations, such as labor unions, student groups, or women's organizations. While this indicates some level of civic engagement, the majority of respondents are not part of any such organization.

From the last response the data shows that only 20% of respondents participate in activities such as rallies, dharnas, or demonstrations, indicating low levels of activism and protest participation. This could be due to various reasons such as lack of awareness, fear of repercussions, or limited opportunities for engagement.

Determinants of Low Political Awareness and Participation among Rural Women in Dakshin Dinajpur District:

The myriad factors contributing to women's lack of awareness about politics are manifold. In a society riddled with class, gender, and caste-based disparities, achieving parity in awareness among all members is a far-fetched notion. The study highlights the multifaceted challenges faced by rural women in Dakshin Dinajpur district, a marginal and agrarian region with limited resources. Despite a women's literacy rate of nearly 70%, the status of women in society remains a pressing concern (Government of India, 2020). Key factors contributing to low political awareness and participation among rural women in this district include:

i). Deep-Rooted Patriarchal Society: The entrenched patriarchal norms and stereotypes in rural Dakshin Dinajpur district severely restrict women's roles, opportunities, and participation in politics, relegating them to secondary status (Chakravarti, 2003).

ii). Limited Access to Information and Resources: Rural women in Dakshin Dinajpur face significant barriers in accessing information, resources, and public spaces, forcing them to rely heavily on men for political insights and limiting their ability to form informed opinions (Kumar, 2017).

iii). Overwhelming Domestic Responsibilities: The burden of household duties and work weighs heavily on rural women, leaving them with limited time and energy to pursue leadership development, political engagement, and civic participation (Desai and Andrist, 2010).

iv). Criminalization of Politics: The pervasive influence of money and muscle power in Indian politics creates a toxic environment, deterring rural women from participating in the political process and perpetuating a cycle of corruption and violence (Yadav, 2010).

v). Limited Education and Literacy: Although literacy rates have improved, limited education still hinders rural women's autonomy, confidence, and ability to navigate complex political systems, making them vulnerable to exploitation and marginalization (Jeffrey and Jeffery, 2011).

vi). Lack of Decision-Making Power: Rural women face entrenched social, economic, and psychological barriers to taking major decisions, undermining their agency, confidence, and ability to participate in politics and governance (Kabeer, 2005).

vii). Negative Attitudes and Bias: Government, political parties, and organizations often neglect or discriminate against rural women leaders, perpetuating a male-dominated power structure and limiting opportunities for women's empowerment and participation (Menon, 2012).

viii). Caste-Based Discrimination: Women from marginalized communities, particularly Dalit and ST women, face significant obstacles in running for public office and serving as elected officials, including abuse, harassment, and marginalization (Gorringe, 2005).

ix). Psychological Factors: Socialization, stereotypes, and lack of confidence contribute to rural women's limited interest and participation in politics, as they are often socialized to prioritize domestic roles and defer to male authority (Burns, Schlozman, and Verba, 2001).

MAJOR FINDINGS:

· The majority of respondents (64%) exercise their right to vote, indicating a relatively high level of awareness and participation in the electoral process.

· Only 4% of respondents have contested an election, indicating low levels of political participation and representation among rural women.

· Participation in Gram Sabha meetings is low, with only 30% of respondents attending such meetings.

· A small proportion of respondents (16%) are affiliated with a political party, indicating low levels of formal political engagement.

· Membership in people's organizations is limited, with only 24% of respondents being part of such groups.

· Participation in activism and protests is low, with only 20% of respondents engaging in such activities.

· The demographic profile of respondents reveals that the majority are young, married, and homemakers.

· The educational attainment of respondents is relatively low, with 28% being illiterate and only 12% holding a graduate degree.

· The occupational profile shows that most respondents are homemakers (48%), followed by students (28%), and agricultural laborers (20%).

· The study highlights the need for awareness generation and capacity-building programs to enhance political participation among rural women.

· Social and cultural barriers, such as patriarchal norms and limited mobility, may be hindering women's participation in politics.

· The study's findings are consistent with the broader literature on women's political participation in rural India.

SUGGESTIONS:

· Awareness Generation Programs: Conduct awareness programs to educate rural women about their rights, entitlements, and the importance of political participation.

· Capacity Building: Provide training and capacity-building programs to enhance rural women's leadership skills, political knowledge, and participation.

· Encourage Political Party Membership: Political parties should actively recruit and engage with rural women to increase their representation and participation.

· Strengthen People's Organizations: Support and strengthen people's organizations, such as women's groups and community-based organizations, to promote collective action and advocacy.

· Improve Access to Education: Enhance access to education and literacy programs for rural women to improve their socio-economic status and political participation.

· Promote Women's Leadership: Encourage and support women's leadership in local governance and politics to create role models and inspire others.

· Address Social and Cultural Barriers: Implement programs to address social and cultural barriers that hinder women's participation in politics.

· Increase Representation: Increase representation of rural women in decision-making bodies, such as Panchayati Raj institutions and state legislatures.

· Provide Resources and Support: Provide resources and support to rural women to participate in politics, such as training, mentorship, and financial assistance.

· Further Research: Conduct further research to understand the complex factors influencing rural women's political participation and to identify effective strategies for promoting their engagement.

CONCLUSION:

This study provides valuable insights into the political awareness and participation of rural women in Dakshin Dinajpur District, highlighting both the challenges and opportunities for empowerment. The findings underscore the need for a multi-faceted approach to promote women's engagement in politics, addressing the social, cultural, and economic barriers that hinder their participation. By investing in awareness generation, capacity building, and leadership development programs, we can unlock the potential of rural women and create a more inclusive and representative democracy.

The study's findings have significant implications for policymakers, practitioners, and civil society organizations working towards women's empowerment and political participation. By prioritizing the needs and concerns of rural women, and providing them with the necessary support and resources, we can foster a more equitable and just society. Ultimately, empowering rural women to participate in politics is not only a matter of social justice but also essential for achieving sustainable development and democratic governance.

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3. Burns, N., Schlozman, K. L., and Verba, S. (2001). The private roots of public action. Harvard University Press.

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Received on 13.11.2025 Revised on 05.01.2026

Accepted on 18.02.2026 Published on 07.03.2026

Available online from March 10, 2026

Res. J. of Humanities and Social Sciences. 2026;17(1):78-86.

DOI: 10.52711/2321-5828.2026.00015

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Creative Commons License.

Sl No.	Question	Opinions	No. of Respondents	% of Respond-ents
1.	=Are you aware of the reservation policies for women in local governance (Panchayati Raj Institutions)?	Yes	200	40
1.		No	300	60
2.	2. Can you specify the percentage of reservation for women in local governance that you're aware of?	33%	120	24
		Other percentage	30	6
		Don’t Know	350	70