ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN MARKETING AND COMMERCE: A BIBLIOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF RESEARCH THEMES, GLOBAL CONTRIBUTIONS, AND INTELLECTUAL STRUCTURE
March 31, 2026DEMOCRATIC DECENTRALISATION & POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN: AN ANALYSIS OF KERALA EXPERIENCE
*Nitheesh S. Babu, **HariKrishnan, R., ***Vishnu, M. S.
*Research Scholar, PG & Research Department of Economics, Fatima Mata National College, (Autonomous) Kollam, Kerala, India.
**Research Scholar, PG & Research Department of Political Science, NSS Hindu College, Changanacherry, Kottayam, Kerala, India.
***Research Scholar, PG & Research Department of Economics, Mar Thoma College Pathanamthitta, Kerala, India.
Abstract
Decentralisation is the process by which the authority and functions of federal as well as state governments are delivered to local self-governing organisations. When we analyse the context of the Kerala economy, Kerala witnessed a paradoxical situation with participation in the labour force and parliamentary seats occupied by the female are very low. Decentralisation significantly contributes to women’s advancement in political as well as economic realms. The data from the State Election Commission reveals that there is a gradual rise in the participation of women in Local self-government elections from 2010 to 2020. In Kerala, decentralisation is fundamental for the political growth of women.
Keywords
decentralisation, women empowerment, local self-governments, grama panchayat, block panchayat, district panchayat, municipality, municipal corporations, and kudumbasree.
References
Anitha, P., & Amma, K. P. S. (2019). Analysis of the structure and economic activities of self help groups under bank linkage programme in the state of Kerala. International Journal of Research and Review, 6(7), 270–282.
State Election Commission, Kerala. (n.d.). State Election Commission, Kerala. https://sec.kerala.gov.in/
Chathukulam, J., & John, M. S. (2000). Empowerment of women panchayat members: Learning from Kerala (India). Asian Journal of Women’s Studies, 6(4), 66–101.
Chathukulam, J., & John, M. S. (2002). Five years of participatory planning in Kerala: Rhetoric and reality. Economic and Political Weekly, 37(49), 4917–4926.
Government of Kerala, Local Self-Government Department. (n.d.). Local Self-Government Department, Kerala. https://lsgkerala.gov.in/
Government of Kerala, State Planning Board. (2024). Economic Review 2024. https://spb.kerala.gov.in/economic–review/ER2024/
Kerala State Planning Board. (2024). Economic review 2024.
Hari, K. S. (2022). Role of democratic decentralisation and empowerment of local bodies: A case of Kerala. Review of Market Integration, 14(1), 53–63. https: //doi.org/10.1177/09749292221102220
Kudumbashree. (n.d.). Kudumbas hree: Kerala State Poverty Eradication Mission. https://www.kudumbashree.org/
Kudumbashree Story. (n.d.). Decentralisation and Peoples’ Plan Campaign – Setting the context. https://kudumbashreestory.in/index.php/kudumbashreeandlsg/convergenceidea/setting-theconte xt
Special Correspondent. (2021, November 28). Now, Kudumbashree Mission forms auxiliary groups to empower young women. The Hindu. https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/nowkudumbashreemissionformsauxiliary-groups-toempowery oungwomen/article37737349.ece
State Planning Board, Kerala. (2022). Working Group Report on Decentralised Planning Process (Fourteenth Five-Year Plan 2022–2027). Kerala State Planning Board. https://spb.kerala.gov.in/sites/default/files/inlinefiles/Working%20Group%20Report%20on%20Decentralised%20Planning%20Process.pdf
Chitra, A. P., & Sivakumar, K. (2022). Women empowerment through Panchayath Raj Institutions: A case study among tribal women ward members in Kasaragod District, Kerala. Journal of Kerala Studies, 49, 49–61. https://jihku.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/JKS4.pdf
To cite this article
Nitheesh S. Babu, HariKrishnan, R., & Vishnu, M., S. (2026). Democratic Decentralisation & Political Empowerment of Women: An Analysis of Kerala Experience. John Foundation Journal of EduSpark, 8(1), 1-13.