Women panchayat leaders demand end to proxy rule, push for gender-just governance

By A Representative

To commemorate three decades of ANANDI’s pioneering work in rural women’s leadership development—coinciding with the Beijing+30 review and the global assessment of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) progress—a three-day National Convention on Women in Panchayati Raj was held in Dahod, Gujarat, from April 23 to 25, 2025. Organized by ANANDI in collaboration with Devgadh Mahila Sangathan, Panam Mahila Sangathan, Maliya Mahila Shakti Sangathan, and Mahila Swaraj Manch, the event brought together elected women representatives (EWRs) from seven states to celebrate achievements, reflect on challenges, and chart a path toward gender-just local governance.

The Convention paid tribute to the trailblazing women leaders of India’s first constitutional assembly while recognizing the pivotal role of women in Panchayati Raj institutions (PRIs)—India’s cornerstone of grassroots democracy. Their leadership has been instrumental in advancing national development goals and fulfilling India’s international commitments on gender equality and sustainable development.

The Ministry of Panchayati Raj has developed nine indicators to localize SDGs for prosperous villages. However, based on the lived experiences of women leaders, the Convention proposed and adopted a tenth indicator: "Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Free Villages", emphasizing the need for safe and inclusive communities.

The "Celebration and Recognition of Achievements" session honored outstanding women leaders who have transformed governance and empowered their communities. Sheetalben Waghela, former President of Dahod, reflected on her leadership journey and the power of sustained community engagement. Arvindaben Patel, Vice President of Dahod Jila Panchayat, shared her two-decade-long work in strengthening Panchayat Samitis and advancing women’s education and nutrition. Dakshaben Parmar, from Dahod’s District Health Committee, spoke about her transformation into a health governance leader. Sarmitaben Pasaya, a former para-legal worker, highlighted her advocacy for women’s rights at the policy level. Sarmibai from Rajasthan, who rose from grassroots activism to national recognition, credited education and Sangathan mentorship for her success. Devaiben Kangad from Kutch, Secretary of the National Sarpanch Sangh, emphasized legal empowerment for women-friendly Panchayats. Kamli Pateliya from Madhya Pradesh mobilized women into over 24 self-help groups (SHGs), fostering economic independence. Savitriben Baria from Dahod shared innovative election strategies and her advocacy for roads, schools, and active Panchayat sub-committees.

Over 500 stories of change were shared, showcasing how women leaders have ended alcohol bootlegging, secured land rights, improved health services, and challenged regressive norms like ghunghat pratha.

While celebrating successes, the Convention also addressed persistent barriers. Proxy governance remains a major challenge, with male relatives often dominating reserved seats, undermining women’s authority. Caste and gender discrimination continue to hinder progress, as women face bureaucratic resistance and social backlash. Digital exclusion poses another hurdle, as online processes for schemes like Awaas and E-KYC marginalize rural women. Financial insecurity is another critical issue, with EWRs receiving little to no remuneration, making leadership unsustainable for low-income women. Young women leaders often face character assassination when asserting their roles.

The Convention culminated in a charter of demands, endorsed by women’s Sangathans and leaders. Participants called for an end to proxy rule through legal action against men unlawfully occupying EWR roles. They demanded fair remuneration and social security, including honorariums, transport support like free bus passes, and district-level "Sarpanch Bhavans" for lodging. Full implementation of PESA and the 73rd Amendment was emphasized to ensure true devolution of funds, functions, and functionaries to Panchayats. The need for non-digital access was highlighted, with a mandate for offline alternatives for all Panchayat services. Institutionalizing Mahila Sabhas was proposed to strengthen women’s participation in Gram Sabhas and block-level planning. The integration of GBV-Free Villages into SDG localization was also prioritized.

Dr. Kanta Singh from UN Women and Dr. Vibhutiben Patel, a gender budgeting expert, emphasized the importance of intergenerational leadership and gender-responsive planning. The Convention closed with a resounding commitment: empowered women lead to empowered villages. As EWRs return to their communities, they carry forward a collective vision—a Panchayati Raj system where women lead with dignity, autonomy, and unwavering resolve.

Comments

Gujarat minority rights group seeks suspension of Botad police officials for brutal assault on minor

By A Representative A human rights group, the Minority Coordination Committee (MCC) Gujarat, has written to the Director General of Police (DGP), Gandhinagar, demanding the immediate suspension and criminal action against police personnel of Botad police station for allegedly brutally assaulting a minor boy from the Muslim community.

On Teachers’ Day, remembering Mother Teresa as the teacher of compassion

By Fr. Cedric Prakash SJ It is Teachers’ Day once again! Significantly, the day also marks the Feast of St. Teresa of Calcutta (still lovingly called Mother Teresa). In 2012, the United Nations, as a fitting tribute to her, declared this day the International Day of Charity. A day pregnant with meaning—one that we must celebrate as meaningfully as possible.

Targeted eviction of Bengali-speaking Muslims across Assam districts alleged

By A Representative A delegation led by prominent academic and civil rights leader Sandeep Pandey visited three districts in Assam—Goalpara, Dhubri, and Lakhimpur—between 2 and 4 September 2025 to meet families affected by recent demolitions and evictions. The delegation reported widespread displacement of Bengali-speaking Muslim communities, many of whom possess valid citizenship documents including Aadhaar, voter ID, ration cards, PAN cards, and NRC certification.

A comrade in culture and controversy: Yao Wenyuan’s revolutionary legacy

By Harsh Thakor* This year marks two important anniversaries in Chinese revolutionary history—the 20th death anniversary of Yao Wenyuan, and the 50th anniversary of his seminal essay "On the Social Basis of the Lin Biao Anti-Party Clique". These milestones invite reflection on the man whose pen ignited the first sparks of the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution and whose sharp ideological interventions left an indelible imprint on the political and cultural landscape of socialist China.

Gandhiji quoted as saying his anti-untouchability view has little space for inter-dining with "lower" castes

By A Representative A senior activist close to Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) leader Medha Patkar has defended top Booker prize winning novelist Arundhati Roy’s controversial utterance on Gandhiji that “his doctrine of nonviolence was based on an acceptance of the most brutal social hierarchy the world has ever known, the caste system.” Surprised at the police seeking video footage and transcript of Roy’s Mahatma Ayyankali memorial lecture at the Kerala University on July 17, Nandini K Oza in a recent blog quotes from available sources to “prove” that Gandhiji indeed believed in “removal of untouchability within the caste system.”

'Govts must walk the talk on gender equality, right to health, human rights to deliver SDGs by 2030'

By A Representative With just 64 months left to deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), global health and rights advocates have called upon governments to honour their commitments on gender equality and the human right to health. Speaking ahead of the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), experts warned that rising anti-rights and anti-gender pushes are threatening hard-won progress on SDG-3 (health and wellbeing) and SDG-5 (gender equality).

Is U.S. fast losing its financial and technological edge under Trump’s second tenure?

By Dr. Manoj Kumar Mishra* The United States, along with its Western European allies, once promoted globalization as a democratic force that would deliver shared prosperity and balanced growth. That promise has unraveled. Globalization, instead of building an even world, has produced one defined by inequality, asymmetry of power, and new vulnerabilities. For decades, Washington successfully turned this system to its advantage. Today, however, under Trump’s second administration, America is attempting to exploit the weaknesses of others without acknowledging how exposed it has become itself.

Bhojpuri cinema’s crisis: When popularity becomes an excuse for vulgarity

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat* Bhojpuri cinema is expanding rapidly. Songs from new films are eagerly awaited, and the industry is hailed for its booming business. Yet, big money and mass popularity do not automatically translate into quality cinema or meaningful content. The market has compelled us to celebrate numbers, even when what is being produced is deeply troubling.

What mainstream economists won’t tell you about Chinese modernisation

By Shiran Illanperuma China’s modernisation has been one of the most remarkable processes of the 21st century and one that has sparked endless academic debate. Meng Jie (孟捷), a distinguished professor from the School of Marxism at Fudan University in Shanghai, has spent the better part of his career unpacking this process to better understand what has taken place.

Counterview

Search This Blog