Sarpanch Pati

Key points:

• It refers to the practice of unelected male relatives controlling political and decision-making processes, openly mocking constitutional democracy, and hindering the empowerment of elected women in local governments.

Reasons for Sarpanch Patism: 

• Cultural patriarchy in society hinders women’s empowerment and their ability to hold leadership positions in local government.
• Lack of training, and appreciation for women’s contributions, coupled with poor social standing, further marginalize women. 
• The absence of strict laws to deter crimes against women perpetuates gender inequality.

73rd Constitutional Amendment Act 1992: 

• It provided a one-third quota for women in village, block, and district levels of panchayat governance, including seats reserved for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
• It seeks to help the women population at the grassroots level break cultural barriers and improve their socio-economic conditions through representative democracy. 

Why in news?

• The Indian Supreme Court has ruled that the government, not the judiciary, should solve the problem of men controlling elected women in local politics (also known as sarpanch Pati).