Paper Title
EXPLORING THE POSSIBILITIES OF WOMEN EMPOWERMENT AND GENDER INEQUITY IN URBAN LOCAL BODY ELECTIONS IN INDIA

Abstract
Abstract - There still exists a gender gap in various fields in this era. Human development is likely affected by the gender inequality and women empowerment. Proper quality education among women enhances the political representation and women empowerment in various sectors. The present study aims in exploring the possibilities of women empowerment and gender inequity in urban local body elections. Additionally the study investigates about women participation in Indian politics, understand the current status of women empowerment in Indian local governance, identify the barriers for women empowerment in Indian urban local elections, examine the existence of gender inequity in urban local body elections and finally suggest possible interventions for enhancing women empowerment and eradicating gender inequity in Indian politics. The outcome for the study is provided by quantitative analysis via survey. The research analyses with quantitative analysis using SPSS version 23.0, through survey assessment, gathering primary data from women in Kochi. A structured questionnaire survey is prepared, segregated, and distributed to the respondent. Purposive sampling approach is used for quantitative analysis and 115 responses are obtained. The research reveals that there is less participation of women in politics and further there are more barriers for women in local body election. The study suggest that quality education can enhance the participation of election among women also to overcome the barriers. Keywords - Women Empowerment, Gender Inequity, SPSS, Election, Education