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

Modi’s Israel visit strengthened Pakistan’s hand in US–Iran truce: Ex-Indian diplomat

By Jag Jivan M. K. Bhadrakumar , a career diplomat with three decades of service in postings across the former Soviet Union, Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Germany, and Turkey, has warned that the current truce in the US–Iran war is “fragile and ridden with contradictions.” Writing in his blog India Punchline , Bhadrakumar argues that while Pakistan has emerged as a surprising broker of dialogue, the durability of the ceasefire remains uncertain.

Manufacturing, services: India's low-skill, middle-skill labour remains underemployed

By Francis Kuriakose* The Indian economy was in a state of deceleration well before Covid-19 made its impact in early 2020. This can be inferred from the declining trends of four important macroeconomic variables that indicate the health of the economy in the last quarter of 2019.

Incarceration of Prof Saibaba 'revives' the question: What is crime, who is criminal?

By Kunal Pant* In 2016, a Supreme Court Judge asked the state of Maharashtra, “Do you want to extract a pound of flesh?” The statement was directed against the state for contesting the bail plea of Delhi University Professor GN Saibaba. Saibaba was arrested in 2014, a justification for which was to prevent him from committing what the police called “anti-national activities.”

Why Indo-Pak relations have been on 'knife’s edge' , hostilities may remain for long

By Utkarsh Bajpai* The past few decades have seen strides being made in all aspects of life – from sticks and stones to weaponry. The extreme case of this phenomenon has been nuclear weapons. The menace caused by nuclear weapons in the past is unforgettable. Images of Hiroshima and Nagasaki from 1945 come to mind, after the United States dropped two atomic bombs on the cities.

Food security? Gujarat govt puts more than 5 lakh ration cards in the 'silent' category

By Pankti Jog* A new statistical report uploaded by the Gujarat government on the national food security portal shows that ensuring food security for the marginalized community is still not a priority of the state. The statistical report, uploaded on December 24, highlights many weaknesses in implementing the National Food Security Act (NFSA) in state.

The soundtrack of resistance: How 'Sada Sada Ya Nabi' is fueling the Iran war

By Syed Ali Mujtaba* The Persian track “ Sada Sada Ya Nabi ye ” by Hossein Sotoodeh has taken the world by storm. This viral media has cut across linguistic barriers to achieve cult status, reaching over 10 million views. The electrifying music and passionate rendition by the Iranian singer have resonated across the globe, particularly as the high-intensity military conflict involving Iran entered its second month in March 2026.

Lata Mangeshkar, a Dalit from Devdasi family, 'refused to sing a song' about Ambedkar

By Pramod Ranjan* An artist is known and respected for her art. But she is equally, or even more so known and respected for her social concerns. An artist's social concerns or in other words, her worldview, give a direction and purpose to her art. History remembers only such artists whose social concerns are deep, reasoned and of durable importance. Lata Mangeshkar (28 September 1929 – 6 February 2022) was a celebrated playback singer of the Hindi film industry. She was the uncrowned queen of Indian music for over seven decades. Her popularity was unmatched. Her songs were heard and admired not only in India but also in Pakistan, Bangladesh and many other South Asian countries. In this article, we will focus on her social concerns. Lata lived for 92 long years. Music ran in her blood. Her father also belonged to the world of music. Her two sisters, Asha Bhonsle and Usha Mangeshkar, are well-known singers. Lata might have been born in Indore but the blood of a famous Devdasi family...

'Batteries now cheap enough for solar to meet India's 90% demand': Expert quotes Ember study

By A Representative Shankar Sharma, Power & Climate Policy Analyst, has urged India’s top policymakers to reconsider the financial and ecological implications of the country’s energy transition strategy in light of recent global developments. In a letter dated April 10, 2026, addressed to the Union Ministers of Finance, Power, New & Renewable Energy, Environment, Forest & Climate Change, and the Vice Chair of NITI Aayog, with a copy to the Prime Minister, Sharma highlighted concerns over India’s ambitious plans for coal gasification and the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR).

Labour unrest in Manesar trigger tensions: Recently enacted labour codes blamed

By A Representative A civil rights coalition has expressed concern over recent developments in the industrial hub of Manesar in Haryana, where a series of labour actions and police responses have drawn attention. A statement, released by the Campaign Against State Repression (CASR), said it stood in solidarity with workers in IMT Manesar and other parts of the country, while also alleging instances of police excess during ongoing unrest.

Search This Blog