[16] A SOCIAL WORK PERSPECTIVE ON THE PARTICIPATION OF WOMEN FROM THE TRADITIONAL AND CULTURAL RURAL MARATHA COMMUNITY IN SOCIAL AND POLITICAL PROCESSES: A STUDY WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO DHULE DISTRICT

How to Cite the Article: Dhyaneshwar Vasudev More & Pandurang Shivram Patil (2026). A Social Work Perspective on the Participation of Women from the Traditional and Cultural Rural Maratha Community in Social and Political Processes: A Study with Special Reference to Dhule District. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research & Reviews, 5(7),212-225. https://doi.org/10.56815/ijmrr.v5i7.2026.212-225

Abstract

Women's participation in social and political processes is widely recognized as a key indicator of inclusive development, democratic governance, and sustainable social transformation. In rural India, however, women's engagement in decision-making institutions continues to be shaped by socio-cultural norms, gender roles, educational opportunities, economic status, and caste dynamics. The Maratha community, one of the dominant agrarian communities in Maharashtra, has traditionally played a significant role in the state's socio-political landscape. Despite this, women belonging to rural Maratha families often experience structural barriers that limit their active participation in community organizations, local governance, and political institutions. This paper examines the participation of women from the traditional and cultural rural Maratha community in social and political processes from a social work perspective, with special reference to Dhule District of Maharashtra. The study explores the socio-cultural factors influencing participation, identifies barriers and opportunities, and analyses the role of social work interventions in promoting women's empowerment. The research adopts a descriptive and analytical approach based on both primary and secondary data. The findings suggest that education, Self-Help Groups (SHGs), Panchayati Raj Institutions, reservation policies, and communitybased social work interventions significantly enhance women's participation, while patriarchal norms, limited mobility, economic dependency, and traditional gender expectations continue to restrict leadership opportunities. The paper concludes with recommendations for strengthening gender-sensitive social work practices, policy implementation, and community mobilization to ensure meaningful participation of rural Maratha women in social and political development. Women's representation in Panchayati Raj Institutions has increased following constitutional reforms, but substantive participation remains uneven across rural regions, including North Maharashtra