Is Knowledge Power?: Civics Training and Womens' Political Participation in Rural India

Author: Soledad Artiz Prillaman

Can the provision of political information through a gender-oriented civics training program increase women’s political participation and representation?

Abstract

Given the persistent gender gap in political participation and representation in India despite several decades of targeted policy interventions, I propose to evaluate the use of political information via gender-oriented civics education at increasing women’s political representation. The study will further evaluate the impact of female representation, particularly when coupled with an active female citizenry, on the performance of local political institutions and on economic development. Through a gender-oriented civics training implemented by the NGO Pradan, women will receive information about the political system and their rights and entitlements within this system and will be directly exposed to existing political institutions, with the aim of reducing informational barriers to political participation.