Delhi, Mar 4
\nThe Ministry of Panchayati Raj today launched the \u201cSashakt Panchayat-Netri Abhiyan\u201d (\u0938\u0936\u0915\u094d\u0924 \u092a\u0902\u091a\u093e\u092f\u0924-\u0928\u0947\u0924\u094d\u0930\u0940 \u0905\u092d\u093f\u092f\u093e\u0928) at a landmark National Workshop of Women Elected Representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions in New Delhi. The historic gathering brought together more than 1,200 women Panchayat leaders from across the country ahead of International Women\u2019s Day 2025.The Sashakt Panchayat-Netri Abhiyan (\u0938\u0936\u0915\u094d\u0924 \u092a\u0902\u091a\u093e\u092f\u0924-\u0928\u0947\u0924\u094d\u0930\u0940 \u0905\u092d\u093f\u092f\u093e\u0928) is a comprehensive and targeted capacity-building initiative aimed at strengthening Women Elected Representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions across the nation. It focuses on sharpening their leadership acumen, enhancing their decision-making capabilities, and reinforcing their role in grassroots governance. Recognizing the crucial role of Women Elected Representatives in rural local governance, the Ministry has devised a strategic roadmap through this initiative to enhance their leadership skills and ensure their active participation in decision-making.<\/p>\n
The event was graced by Union Minister of Panchayati Raj Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh, Union Minister of Women and Child Development Smt. Annapurna Devi, Union Minister of State for Panchayati Raj Prof. S. P. Singh Baghel, and Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Smt. Raksha Nikhil Khadse. Senior officials present on the occasion included Shri Vivek Bharadwaj, Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Shri Ashok K. K. Meena, Secretary, Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation and Shri Sushil Kumar Lohani, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, alongwith representatives from various Ministries, Departments, SIRD&PRs, TRIF and international organizations including UNFPA.<\/p>\n
In his inaugural keynote address, Union Minister Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh emphasized upon the vital role of women leaders in transforming rural governance. \u201cThe initiative of \u201cSashakt Panchayat-Netri Abhiyan\u201d marks a significant milestone in our journey toward inclusive development where women\u2019s leadership will drive positive change at the grassroots level\u201d, he stated. Shri Singh said that the government under the leadership of Hon\u2019ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, is fully committed to undertake capacity and confidence building measures to further strengthen women leadership in the country, particularly in gram panchayats. He highlighted the pivotal role of women in governance, stressing that empowered women strengthen democracy from the grassroots up to the national level. He lauded the impact of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment, which has resulted in over 1.4 million elected women representatives in PRIs and noted that several states, including Bihar, have seen women representation beyond reservations, witnessing increased participation of women in unreserved seats also. The Union Minister praised women for performing multidimensional roles \u2013 from managing households to governing communities and running governments. \u201cWomen are proving that with proper support and opportunity, they can excel in any field they choose\u201d, he remarked. He emphasized that capacity building is key to empowerment as it builds confidence; enabling women to achieve anything they aspire to. \u201cThis revolution in grassroots democracy is essential for creating a justice-based, equitable society\u201d, he said.<\/p>\n
Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Smt. Annpurna Devi, in her address stated that women-led governance enhances investment in health, education, sanitation, and economic stability, ensuring sustainable community and national development. She urged elected women representatives to exercise their authority independently and eliminate the influence of male interference in decision-making. She said that women empowerment entails economic, social, and political equality. Initiatives like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao have been catalysts for change in the last ten years, helping in transforming societal mindsets. Smt. Annpurna Devi highlighted that through Self-Help Groups, \u201cLakhpati Didis\u201d and \u201cDrone Didis\u201d are etching an empowered life for themselves and their families. Schemes like Ujjwala, PM Awas Yojana, MUDRA yojana etc. have significantly contributed to women\u2019s empowerment in India.<\/p>\n
Union Minister of State for Panchayati Raj Prof. S. P. Singh Baghel addressed the concerning practice of \u201cMukhiya Pati\u201d, \u201cPradhan Pati\u201d, and \u201cSarpanch Pati\u201d culture, where male relatives act as de facto leaders, undermining the leadership position of elected women representatives. He urged women leaders to exercise caution, especially in financial matters, while executing their official duties. The Minister of State referenced the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam and called for concerted efforts to address pressing issues like nutritional discrimination, female feoticide, and domestic violence in India. He asserted that achieving the vision of \u201cViksit Bharat\u201d is not possible without the active participation of women, who constitute half the population. He urged women Panchayat representatives to define their own leadership roles and work towards creating women-friendly Gram Panchayats.<\/p>\n
Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Smt. Raksha Nikhil Khadse, who began her political journey as a Sarpanch of Gram Panchayat in Maharashtra, shared her personal experience and highlighted the issue of proxy Sarpanches. She placed the responsibility on women representatives themselves to assert their authority. \u201cYour journey from Panchayat to Parliament is both possible and necessary for inclusive governance\u201d, she stated.<\/p>\n
Addressing the gathering, Shri Vivek Bharadwaj, Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, emphasized that women representatives must not be proxy representatives but actual leaders driving change at the grassroots level. \u201cThe vision of women-led development is being realized through our PRIs, where today 43 percent are Women Elected Representatives. It is noteworthy that Gram Panchayats receiving national awards are increasingly women-led\u201d, he stated. Union Secretary Shri Bharadwaj highlighted that through the \u201cSashakt Panchayat-Netri Abhiyan\u201d for the first time a dedicated capacity-building program for women is being implemented across India.<\/p>\n
The workshop witnessed the launch of specialized training modules designed specifically for capacity building of Women Elected Representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions. A comprehensive \u201cPrimer on Law Addressing Gender Based Violence and Harmful Practices\u201d for Panchayat Elected Representatives was also introduced on this occasion. Outstanding women leaders from Panchayats across States and Union Territories were felicitated, who have demonstrated exemplary work in rural local self-governance. The National Workshop featured two insightful panel discussions on \u201cWomen’s Participation and Leadership in PRIs: Changing the Dynamics in Local Self-Governance\u201d, examining how increased female representation is reshaping rural governance structures and \u201cWomen-Led Local Governance: Sectoral Interventions by WERs\u201d, covering vital areas including health and nutrition, education, safety and security of women and girl children, economic opportunities, and digital transformation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Delhi, Mar 4 The Ministry of Panchayati Raj today launched the \u201cSashakt Panchayat-Netri Abhiyan\u201d (\u0938\u0936\u0915\u094d\u0924…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":19721,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[36,2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-19720","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-latest","category-national"],"yoast_head":"\n