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

From plagiarism to proxy exams: Galgotias and systemic failure in education

By Sandeep Pandey* Shock is being expressed at Galgotias University being found presenting a Chinese-made robotic dog and a South Korean-made soccer-playing drone as its own creations at the recently held India AI Impact Summit 2026, a global event in New Delhi. Earlier, a UGC-listed journal had published a paper from the university titled “Corona Virus Killed by Sound Vibrations Produced by Thali or Ghanti: A Potential Hypothesis,” which became the subject of widespread ridicule. Following the robotic dog controversy coming to light, the university has withdrawn the paper. These incidents are symptoms of deeper problems afflicting the Indian education system in general. Galgotias merely bit off more than it could chew.

Covishield controversy: How India ignored a warning voice during the pandemic

Dr Amitav Banerjee, MD * It is a matter of pride for us that a person of Indian origin, presently Director of National Institute of Health, USA, is poised to take over one of the most powerful roles in public health. Professor Jay Bhattacharya, an Indian origin physician and a health economist, from Stanford University, USA, will be assuming the appointment of acting head of the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), USA. Bhattacharya would be leading two apex institutions in the field of public health which not only shape American health policies but act as bellwether globally.

The 'glass cliff' at Galgotias: How a university’s AI crisis became a gendered blame game

By Mohd. Ziyaullah Khan* “She was not aware of the technical origins of the product and in her enthusiasm of being on camera, gave factually incorrect information.” These were the words used in the official press release by Galgotias University following the controversy at the AI Impact Summit in Delhi. The statement came across as defensive, petty, and deeply insensitive.

Farewell to Saleem Samad: A life devoted to fearless journalism

By Nava Thakuria* Heartbreaking news arrived from Dhaka as the vibrant city lost one of its most active and committed citizens with the passing of journalist, author and progressive Bangladeshi national Saleem Samad. A gentleman who always had issues to discuss with anyone, anywhere and at any time, he passed away on 22 February 2026 while undergoing cancer treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital. He was 74.

Growth without justice: The politics of wealth and the economics of hunger

By Vikas Meshram* In modern history, few periods have displayed such a grotesque and contradictory picture of wealth as the present. On one side, a handful of individuals accumulate in a single year more wealth than the annual income of entire nations. On the other, nearly every fourth person in the world goes to bed hungry or half-fed.

From ancient wisdom to modern nationhood: The Indian story

By Syed Osman Sher South of the Himalayas lies a triangular stretch of land, spreading about 2,000 miles in each direction—a world of rare magic. It has fired the imagination of wanderers, settlers, raiders, traders, conquerors, and colonizers. They entered this country bringing with them new ethnicities, cultures, customs, religions, and languages.

Thali, COVID and academic credibility: All about the 2020 'pseudoscientific' Galgotias paper

By Jag Jivan* The first page image of the paper "Corona Virus Killed by Sound Vibrations Produced by Thali or Ghanti: A Potential Hypothesis" published in the Journal of Molecular Pharmaceuticals and Regulatory Affairs , Vol. 2, Issue 2 (2020), has gone viral on social media in the wake of the controversy surrounding a Chinese robot presented by the Galgotias University as its original product at the just-concluded AI summit in Delhi . The resurfacing of the 2020 publication, authored by Dharmendra Kumar , Galgotias University, has reignited debate over academic standards and scientific credibility.

Conversion laws and national identity: A Jesuit response response to the Hindutva narrative

By Rajiv Shah A recent book, " Luminous Footprints: The Christian Impact on India ", authored by two Jesuit scholars, Dr. Lancy Lobo and Dr. Denzil Fernandes , seeks to counter the current dominant narrative on Indian Christians , which equates evangelisation with conversion, and education, health and the social services provided by Christians as meant to lure -- even force -- vulnerable sections into Christianity.

Unpaid overtime, broken promises: Indian Oil workers strike in Panipat

By Rosamma Thomas Thousands of workers at the Indian Oil Corporation refinery in Panipat, Haryana, went on strike beginning February 23, 2026. They faced a police lathi charge, and the Central Industrial Security Force fired into the air to control the crowd.

Search This Blog