Status of Women in Rajasthan
Q.1. How has women’s participation increased in Panchayati Raj Institutions in Rajasthan, and what are the main obstacles to their full empowerment?
Answer:
Rajasthan was the first Indian state to implement the Panchayati Raj system. Under the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992, 33% reservation for women was ensured in local self-government institutions. Later, in 2010, the Rajasthan government increased this quota to 50%.
Due to this, women’s confidence, leadership skills, social recognition, and decision-making power have significantly improved. Many women sarpanches (village heads) have made notable contributions in areas such as sanitation, education, water conservation, and controlling child marriage and other social evils.
However, several challenges still hinder their full empowerment. The most serious issue is that of “Sarpanch Pati” (Proxy Representation) — where the elected woman acts only as a nominal head, while her husband or male relatives take real decisions. Additionally, illiteracy and social conservatism (such as the purdah system and lack of family support) restrict women from working independently in public life.
Q.2. According to NFHS-5 and NCRB Report 2023, what are the key indicators related to women’s safety and health in Rajasthan?
Answer:
As per the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) 2023, Rajasthan ranked third in India for crimes against women, reporting 45,450 cases. In terms of crime rate (114.8 per lakh female population), it stood second nationally. The rates of dowry deaths, rape, and cruelty by husbands or relatives (IPC Section 498A) were higher than the national average.
According to NFHS-5 (2019–21) data, about 24% of women (aged 18–49 years) reported experiencing physical or sexual violence.
In health indicators, nearly 54% of women (aged 15–49) suffer from anemia, making it a major health concern. About one-fourth of women aged 20–24 were married before the legal minimum age of 18 years, showing persistent gender inequality in rural areas.
Q.3. What is the main objective of the ‘Mukhyamantri Work From Home Yojana (MWFHY)’ and what challenges exist in improving rural women’s education levels?
Answer:
The Mukhyamantri Work From Home Yojana (MWFHY 2025) was launched by the Government of Rajasthan to create home-based employment opportunities for women. Under this scheme, women can earn up to ₹15,000 per month by working from home. It primarily supports those unable to work outside due to domestic or social restrictions. The program offers work such as stitching, handicraft, packaging, etc., giving priority to divorced, widowed, disabled, deserted, or violence-affected women.
In terms of education, as per the 2011 Census, the average female literacy rate in rural areas was only 45.8%. Girls’ education is often affected by lack of nearby schools, inadequate infrastructure (especially functional toilets), and menstrual health barriers, leading to school dropouts. Moreover, in some regions, caste-based discrimination and harassment discourage girls from continuing their studies.