Ruchira Kamboj highlights progress in Women's leadership through India's Panchayati Raj System
- In Reports
- 05:58 PM, May 04, 2024
- Myind Staff
Ruchira Kamboj, India's Permanent Representative to the UN, highlighted the significant strides achieved in women's leadership within India's Panchayati Raj system. She underscored that India takes pride in its unique rural governance model, the Panchayati Raj, which symbolizes decentralized power at the grassroots level.
During India's #CPD57 side event, titled "Localising the SDGs, Women in Local Governance in India Leads the Way," Kamboj stressed the transformative impact of women's empowerment at the grassroots level.
Kamboj highlighted the Panchayati Raj as a prime example of direct democracy, emphasizing its decentralized power structure and active participation through the Gram Sabha by all residents of a Panchayat. She underscored that this distinctive feature distinguishes it from conventional municipal governance models worldwide, making it a model for fostering inclusive decision-making processes.
India's commitment to gender equality was emphasized by Kamboj, who noted a significant milestone achieved with the 1992 constitutional amendment. This amendment mandated that at least one-third of all elected roles in local governance be reserved for women, ensuring equitable representation at the grassroots level.
Celebrating the elevation of women's representation to 50 percent in 21 states within India, Kamboj highlighted that more than 1.4 million out of over 3.1 million elected representatives are women today. This surge reflects a broader societal shift towards recognizing and valuing women's contributions to governance and community development.
Kamboj also discussed the alignment of the local planning process within the Panchayati Raj system with the localisation of sustainable development goals, with a particular focus on empowering women.
She remarked that such initiatives have had a transformative impact by integrating gender considerations into development planning, effectively addressing women's needs and priorities for more inclusive and sustainable outcomes.
Kamboj commended the efforts of women leaders in breaking traditional barriers, highlighting their role in revolutionizing 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.
Kamboj highlighted the challenges for women leaders and emphasized the need for supportive legal frameworks, capacity building, and partnerships to advance gender equality. She noted India's experience as valuable for promoting and sustaining women's leadership, stressing the importance of creating an enabling environment for women in governance.
"As we move forward, let us renew our dedication to fostering women's leadership in local governance, recognizing 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.
Image source: ANI
Comments