1. Introduction

The active participation of rural women in local decision-making processes, as a key indicator of sustainable development, plays a pivotal role in enhancing the quality of life and regional development planning. Scholars contend that without the effective engagement of half the rural population, development programs fail to achieve the requisite comprehensiveness and efficacy. Owing to their nuanced understanding of household and community needs in sectors such as water resource management, agricultural development, and social services, rural women can offer valuable insights to institutions such as local councils. Their participation not only enhances the legitimacy of decisions but also facilitates more optimal resource allocation and the attainment of sustainable development goals; empirical evidence suggests that when women are involved in decision-making, more tangible outcomes are realized in public health, education, and local economic development. Consequently, the inclusion of women in local governance mechanisms as a fundamental principle for ensuring equitable societies and inclusive governance is widely recognized as an essential driver for elevating living standards and improving social service delivery.



2. Methodology

In terms of objective, the present study is classified as applied research, and from a methodological perspective, it employs a descriptive-analytical approach. This approach aims not only to describe the existing conditions but also to analyze and explain the various dimensions of the problem, the influencing factors, and the underlying mechanisms of its formation. To achieve the research objectives and address the research questions, data collection was conducted in two distinct phases. In the first phase, secondary data were gathered through a comprehensive review of documentary sources, including books, peer-reviewed articles, theses, research documents, and relevant online databases. In the second phase, primary data were collected through field surveys using a structured questionnaire.

The statistical population of this study consisted of women residing in the study area, totaling 14,863 individuals. Based on Cochran’s formula and considering a margin of error of 0.07, a sample size of 196 respondents was determined. The questionnaires were distributed and completed using a random sampling technique. To assess the reliability of the research instrument, Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was calculated using SPSS software. Cronbach’s alpha ranges from 0 to 1, where a value closer to unity indicates higher internal consistency among the questionnaire items. The results yielded a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.87 for the variables related to the host community, indicating a high level of reliability and internal validity. Consequently, the instrument was deemed highly reliable for measuring the intended variables. For data analysis, descriptive statistical methods—including mean, variance, and standard deviation—were employed, alongside inferential statistical tests such as Pearson correlation and the one-sample t-test. Additionally, the skewness test was performed to examine the normality of the data distribution and to determine the suitability of parametric tests. Finally, to evaluate the role of women’s participation in local governance and decision-making from the perspective of women in the study area, a questionnaire based on a five-point Likert scale was developed, encompassing five primary indices.



3. Findings

The research findings indicate that, from the respondents’ perspective, the socio-cultural index, with a mean of 3.19, lies above the theoretical average. The p-value confirms the statistical significance of this status. Furthermore, the t-statistic and its corresponding significance level demonstrate, with a 99% confidence interval, a statistically significant difference between the observed mean and the test value, implying a strong and positive relationship across the five examined indices.

However, the analysis further reveals that among the investigated indices—specifically the physical, environmental, economic, and institutional dimensions, with means of 2.88, 2.55, 2.52, and 1.86, respectively—the level of participation in local decision-making among rural women remains constrained. Based on these findings, it can be argued that although the mean for certain dimensions (such as the socio-cultural index) exceeds the desired threshold, participation in critical areas—namely, the institutional, economic, environmental, and physical dimensions—faces significant challenges in Sari County. This observed gap between ‘physical presence’ (the physical index) and ‘decision-making power’ (the institutional and economic indices) suggests that women’s participation in this region is characterized as ‘participation without power.’ In other words, while women are physically present in the local sphere, they do not play a decisive role in the primary processes of local guidance and management.



4. Discussion and Conclusion

The participation of rural women in local administration and decision-making processes constitutes a pivotal component of local governance and sustainable rural development. Owing to their active involvement in economic, social, and domestic spheres, rural women possess a nuanced understanding of the needs, challenges, and potentials of their local communities. Consequently, their engagement in institutions such as village councils, cooperatives, local organizations, and self-help groups can enhance the quality of decision-making, increase the efficiency of local management, and ensure a more targeted response to community needs. Furthermore, such engagement fosters social capital, strengthens collective responsibility, and promotes social justice at the local level.

In this context, the present study aimed to evaluate the role of rural women’s participation in local administration and decision-making in Sari County. Using a one-sample t-test and correlation analysis, the findings indicate that, from the respondents’ perspective, the socio-cultural index (mean = 3.19) significantly exceeds the theoretical average, with a p-value confirming statistical significance. At a 99% confidence level, a significant difference exists between the observed and test means, demonstrating a strong, positive relationship across the five examined indices. However, an analysis of the remaining dimensions—physical (mean = 2.88), environmental (mean = 2.55), economic (mean = 2.52), and institutional (mean = 1.86)—reveals that participation in these critical areas remains constrained.

These findings suggest that while participation is favorable in some dimensions (e.g., socio-cultural), rural women in Sari County face significant challenges in vital institutional, economic, environmental, and physical domains. The observed gap between ‘physical presence’ (the physical index) and ‘decision-making power’ (the institutional and economic indices) indicates that women’s participation in this region is essentially ‘participation without power’; they maintain a presence but lack a decisive role in the primary processes of local leadership and management. These results align with the studies of Karami Dehkordi & Astin-Feshan (2009), Jalilian & Saadi (2016), Bouzarjomehri & Javani (2022), and Tagoe-Abaka (2015), all of whom emphasize that women’s participation is not only essential for local administration but also acts as a key driver for community empowerment and the enhancement of participatory networks in rural areas.