The study entitled “Empowerment of Women Members through Panchayati Raj Institutions” was conducted in Akola Zilha Parishad, Akola and Murtizapur Panchayat Samiti of Akola district of Maharashtra state. For present study, 100 women members were selected from Akola Zilha Parishad, Akola Panchayat Samiti, Murtizapur Panchayat Samiti and eight Gram Panchayat from each Akola and Murtizapur Panchayat Samiti by using random sampling method. Data were collected by personally interviewing with the help of pretested and well structured interview schedule and data were subjected to appropriate statistical analysis. The findings of the present study revealed that only one third of women members decided themselves to contenst Panchyat elections. Most of the women representatives had felt apprehensions before becoming panchyat representatives, nearly two third of the women felt that they will have work under dominant people. Majority of the women members had low level of extent of participation in the activities of Panchayati Raj Institutions. Further results of study revealed that women members participated social activity, followed decision making activity, policy making activity, developmental activity, economic activity and political activity Two thirds of the men representatives agreed that despite election of women through reservation, women will as usual carry on household activities and men will do the panchayat related work as a proxy to their women. However, most of the women did not agree with this. Almost one third of the women also agreed that involvement in panchayat activities will create adjustment problems in home life

Keyword: Empowerment; Women members, Panchayat Raj Institutions;