Role of Digital Media in Women’s Empowerment: A study of Panchayat Raj Institutions in Southern Karnataka

Author(s)	Ms. Megha S S, Dr. Sathyaprakash M R
Country	India
Abstract	Digital media technologies have become integral to local governance in India, particularly within Panchayat Raj Institutions (PRIs). This study investigates how digital platforms—including mobile phones, social media, messaging applications, and e-governance systems—affect the empowerment, participation, and administrative capacity of women representatives in the Gram Panchayats of Ramanagara, a district in Southern Karnataka. Using a mixed-methods approach that integrates surveys, interviews, and field observations, the research highlights both the transformative potential of digital media and the persistent structural constraints that limit women’s full participation in rural governance. Findings indicate that digital tools enhance access to information, transparency, mobility, and citizen engagement, yet barriers such as digital illiteracy, gender norms, and infrastructural limitations continue to restrict the depth of empowerment
Keywords	Digital media, Panchayat Raj Institutions, Women empowerment, E-governance, Social media, Citizen engagement
Field	Sociology > Journalism / Media
Published In	Volume 8, Issue 1, January-February 2026
Published On	2026-02-21
DOI	https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2026.v08i01.69550

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