'India's Panchayati Raj system highlights strides made in women's leadership'

Indias Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj shed light on the remarkable progress made in womens leadership within Indias Panchayati Raj system saying India prides itself on a unique system of rural governance known as the Panchayati Rajan emblem of decentralised power at the grassroots level reported news agency ANISpeaking at Indias CPD57 side event Localising the SDGs Women in Local Governance in India Leads the Way Kamboj emphasised the transformative impact of womens empowerment at the grassroots level reported ANIThe Panchayati Raj is a sterling example of direct democracy that facilitates active participation from all residents of a Panchayat through the Gram Sabha Kamboj highlighted underscoring the systems decentralised power structure This unique aspect sets it apart from conventional municipal governance models found elsewhere in the world making it a model for fostering inclusive decisionmaking processes reported ANIHighlighting Indias commitment to gender equality Kamboj noted A significant milestone was achieved with the constitutional amendment in 1992 which mandated that at least one third of all elected roles in local governance be reserved for women This constitutional provision was a landmark step towards ensuring equitable representation of women in decisionmaking bodies at the grassroots level reported ANIKamboj also celebrated the elevation of womens representation to 50 per cent in 21 states within India stating Today of the over 31 million elected representatives more than 14 million are women This surge in womens participation reflects a broader societal shift towards recognising and valuing womens contributions to governance and community development reported ANIThe local planning process within the Panchayati Raj system as Kamboj explained is meticulously aligned with the localisation of sustainable development goals with a primary focus on empowering women The impact of such initiatives has been transformative she remarked By integrating gender considerations into development planning the Panchayati Raj system ensures that womens needs and priorities are effectively addressed leading to more inclusive and sustainable outcomes she added reported ANICommending the efforts of women leaders in breaking traditional barriers Kamboj emphasised their role in revolutionising communities by enhancing education healthcare sanitation and livelihoods Women leaders in Panchayati Raj institutions have been instrumental in driving positive change at the grassroots level leveraging their unique perspectives and experiences to address pressing social and economic challenges reported ANIAcknowledging the challenges faced by women in leadership Kamboj stressed the need for supportive legal frameworks robust capacity building initiatives and collaborative partnerships to advance gender equality Indias experience provides invaluable insights and lessons on advancing and sustaining womens leadership she remarked emphasising the importance of creating an enabling environment for women to thrive in governance rolesAs we move forward let us renew our dedication to fostering womens leadership in local governance recognising its transformative power in achieving gender equality and the sustainable development goals Kamboj concluded invoking the words of Mahatma Gandhi to underline the immeasurable strength of women reported ANIWith inputs from ANI