India boasts around 1.5 million women elected to Panchayati Raj Institutions, representing 46.6% of all local governance seats

This reflects remarkable progress on paper. However, in many villages—especially in northern states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, uttrakhand and Rajasthan real power frequently lies with husbands, fathers, or brothers of these elected women 
This phenomenon is known as proxy leadership or the “Pradhan/Sarpanch Pati”. Men, without constitutional authority, quietly handle budgets, conduct meetings, and make key decisions—all under the guise of their wives’ electoral legitimacy 
For instance, it was reported that in numerous villages, men routinely sign official records and take oaths in place of their female counterparts
This Is Hurting democracy representation: Women are present in office but not in power
Lost opportunities: Women lose chances to gain leadership experience and confidence.
Eroded trust: Citizens who voted for female leadership may feel deceived, undermining confidence in the reservation system.

Signs of Change & Hope

A growing number of women are breaking free from proxy control, asserting authority in meetings, finances, and development projects 
Initiatives like ‘Sashakt Panchayat‑Netri Abhiyan’ and mandatory attendance rules are being implemented to tackle this issue 

Solutions for Genuine empowerment

training: Governance, financial and legal literacy workshops tailored for women PRI members.
Strict enforcement: Penalize proxy participation and monitor elected women’s actual engagement.
Digital tools: Provide smartphones and online platforms for women to interact directly with officials.
Community advocacy: Encourage public scrutiny by media and civil society to amplify genuine women leaders.

The Core Question

Are women truly empowered in our elections—or just symbols on the ballot?
India’s democratic dignity hangs in the balance. Only when an elected woman leads from the front—her voice heard, her decisions respected—will democracy truly be inclusive.