The correct answer is: d) All of the above
Meghalaya has been at the forefront of women’s empowerment in India. In 1995, the state became the first in the country to reserve 33% of seats in its panchayats (local self-government bodies) for women. This was followed by a number of other initiatives to increase women’s participation in decision-making, including capacity building programs and awareness campaigns.
Reservation of seats has been a key factor in increasing women’s participation in panchayats. In the first elections after the reservation was introduced, women won 29% of the seats. This figure has steadily increased over the years, and in the 2015 elections, women won 43% of the seats.
Capacity building programs have also been important in helping women to participate effectively in panchayats. These programs have provided women with training on a range of issues, including governance, financial management, and conflict resolution.
Awareness campaigns have also been conducted to encourage women to participate in panchayats. These campaigns have highlighted the importance of women’s participation in decision-making and have provided information on the reservation policy.
The efforts to increase women’s participation in Meghalaya’s panchayats have been successful in increasing the number of women in decision-making positions. However, there is still more work to be done to ensure that women have a full and equal voice in the affairs of their communities.
Here is a brief explanation of each option:
- Reservation of seats: This is a policy that sets aside a certain number of seats for women in elected bodies. This policy has been used to increase women’s participation in panchayats in Meghalaya and other states in India.
- Capacity building programs: These are programs that provide training and other support to help women develop the skills and knowledge they need to participate effectively in panchayats.
- Awareness campaigns: These are campaigns that are designed to raise awareness of the importance of women’s participation in panchayats and to encourage women to stand for election.