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Abstract Women’s empowerment is a multidimensional process that enables women to gain control over their lives and participate meaningfully in social, economic, and political decision-making. In India, women’s participation in politics remained marginal for decades due to socio-cultural constraints such as caste hierarchy, patriarchy, illiteracy, and traditional family structures. The introduction of the Panchayati Raj system, particularly after the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, marked a significant step towards enhancing women’s political participation at the grassroots level through reservation of seats for women. This paper examines the conceptual framework of women’s empowerment through Panchayati Raj Institutions, focusing on policy provisions, constitutional initiatives, and empirical observations. It analyzes the socio-economic background of elected women representatives, their role in decision-making, and their contribution to rural development, especially in post-disaster situations. The study, based on selected Panchayats, reveals that despite initial limitations and dependence, women representatives gradually develop political awareness, leadership qualities, and administrative competence. The findings suggest that Panchayati Raj Institutions serve as an important platform for nurturing women’s leadership and strengthening grassroots democracy, though challenges related to effective participation and autonomy still persist.