Electoral Inclusion And Political Participation Among Tribal Gujjar Bakarwal Women Of Jammu And Kashmir

Shazia Chowdhary; Dr. Suman Kumari

Electoral Inclusion And Political Participation Among Tribal Gujjar Bakarwal Women Of Jammu And Kashmir

Author(s)	Shazia Chowdhary, Dr. Suman Kumari
Country	India
Abstract	Abstract This study focuses on the electoral inclusion and political participation of Gujjar Bakarwal women in Jammu and Kashmir. The Gujjar Bakarwal community is a nomadic tribal group that remains socially, economically, and politically marginalized. Although India’s democratic system promotes equal participation, these women still face many challenges in taking part in politics. Their seasonal migration, lack of education, and strong patriarchal traditions limit their ability to participate fully in electoral processes. The main aim of this study is to understand how much these women participate in elections and what problems they face. The objectives are: to examine their awareness and involvement in elections, such as voting and contesting; to identify social, cultural, and economic barriers that affect their political participation; and to evaluate existing government policies and suggest ways to improve their political inclusion. The study uses a mixed-methods approach, combining both qualitative and quantitative research. Primary data is collected through surveys, interviews, and group discussions with Gujjar Bakarwal women in selected district of Jammu and Kashmir. Secondary data is taken from government reports, census data, research articles, and election records. A purposive sampling method is used to include women from both nomadic and semi-settled communities. The data is analyzed using simple statistical methods and thematic analysis to understand patterns of participation and exclusion. The study is expected to show that there is a gap between formal electoral rights and actual political empowerment. It highlights the need for better policies such as voter awareness programs, flexible voting arrangements for mobile communities, and gender-sensitive governance. This research contributes to the broader discussion on inclusive democracy and the empowerment of Tribal Women.
Keywords	Key Words: -Gujjar, Bakarwal,Inclusion, Political participation, Women,Electoral,Tribal, Marginalized.
Field	Sociology > Politics
Published In	Volume 8, Issue 4, July-August 2026
Published On	2026-08-09

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Electoral Inclusion And Political Participation Among Tribal Gujjar Bakarwal Women Of Jammu And Kashmir

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