New Delhi: The Ministry of Panchayati Raj today launched the “Sashakt Panchayat-Netri Abhiyan” (सशक्त पंचायत-नेत्री अभियान) at a landmark National Workshop of Women Elected Representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. The historic gathering brought together more than 1,200 women Panchayat leaders from across the country ahead of International Women’s Day 2025.
The Sashakt Panchayat-Netri Abhiyan (सशक्त पंचायत-नेत्री अभियान) is a strategic initiative aimed at strengthening the capacity-building interventions for Women Elected Representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions across the nation. It focuses on sharpening their leadership acumen, enhancing their decision-making capabilities, and reinforcing their role in grassroots governance. Recognizing the crucial role of Women Elected Representatives in rural local governance, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj has devised a strategic roadmap to enhance their leadership and ensure their active participation in decision-making.
The event was graced by Union Minister of Panchayati Raj Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh, Union Minister of Women and Child Development Smt. Annapurna Devi, Union Minister of State for Panchayati Raj Prof. S. P. Singh Baghel, and Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Smt. Raksha Nikhil Khadse. Senior officials present included Shri Vivek Bharadwaj, Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Shri Ashok K. K. Meena, Secretary, Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation and Shri Sushil Kumar Lohani, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, alongside representatives from various Ministries, Departments, SIRD&PRs, TRIF and international organizations including UNFPA.
In his inaugural keynote address, Union Minister Shri Singh emphasized the vital role of women leaders in transforming rural governance. “The initiative of “Sashakt Panchayat-Netri Abhiyan” marks a significant milestone in our journey toward inclusive development where women’s leadership will drive positive change at the grassroots level”, he stated. Union Minister Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh emphasized that the Government, under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, is fully committed to enhancing capacity building and confidence among women, particularly in Panchayats and rural areas.
He highlighted the pivotal role of women in governance, stressing that empowered women strengthen democracy from the grassroots to the national level. He lauded the impact of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment, which has resulted in over 1.4 million elected women representatives in PRIs and noted that several states, including Bihar, have gone beyond reservations, witnessing increased participation of women in unreserved seats.
Union Minister of Panchayati Raj Shri Singh praised women for performing multidimensional roles – from managing households to governing communities and running governments. “Women are proving that with proper support and opportunity, they can excel in any field they choose”, he remarked.
He emphasized that capacity building is key to empowerment as it builds confidence, enabling women to achieve anything they aspire to. “This revolution in grassroots democracy is essential for creating a justice-based, equitable society”, he concluded.
He highlighted the importance of capacity building as a means to equip women leaders with skills and confidence, enabling them to effectively govern and drive rural development. He cited initiatives like Drone Didi, Lakhpati Didi, and Self-Help Groups, which have transformed the economic landscape for rural women.
Reaffirming the Government’s vision of Women-Led Development, he called for greater participation of women in decision-making processes, active involvement in Gram Sabhas, and leadership in governance. He concluded by stating that the rise of women in Panchayati Raj Institutions is laying the foundation for a more just, equitable, and empowered society.
Hon’ble Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Smt. Annapurna Devi, emphasized the growing strength of women’s leadership from Panchayat to Parliament while addressing the National Convention of Elected Women Representatives of Panchayats. She highlighted that women are not only utilizing the 33% – 50% reservation in Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) but are also winning unreserved seats, proving their leadership beyond quotas.
She underlined that women-led governance enhances investment in health, education, sanitation, and economic stability, ensuring sustainable community and national development. She urged elected women representatives to exercise their authority independently and eliminate the influence of male family members in decision-making.
Union Minister of Women and Child Development Smt. Annapurna Devi emphasized that women’s empowerment encompasses economic, social, and political equality. She elaborated on the theme of women-led development, noting that initiatives like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao have been catalysts for change in the last ten years, transforming societal mindsets.
Union Minister shared impressive figures about Self-Help Groups creating “Lakhpati Didis”, “Drone Didis”, and other success stories. She highlighted schemes like Ujjwala, PM Awas Yojana, and MUDRA that have significantly contributed to women’s empowerment. “Mahila Sashaktikaran is not just a program but a central philosophy of the current government”, she stated, adding that economic empowerment is fundamental to all forms of empowerment. She also mentioned the Women/ Child Helpline and C-Box portal as crucial measures ensuring safety at workplaces.
Calling for stronger self-reliance among women leaders, she stressed that Smt. Raksha Khadse should serve as a role model for all women Panchayat leaders. Smt. Khadse’s inspiring journey – from Sarpanch of Kothali Gram Panchayat and Zilla Parishad Member in Jalgaon, Maharashtra, to Union MoS in the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports – demonstrates how women can rise through leadership and governance.
She reiterated that the International Women’s Day 2025 theme, “Accelerate Action”, calls for fast-tracking initiatives for women’s empowerment. She urged women leaders to strengthen Panchayats and contribute to making India self-reliant and empowered. The collaboration between MoPR and MoWCD will play a crucial role in achieving this goal, but women themselves must recognize their role in shaping governance and driving change.
Union Minister of State for Panchayati Raj Prof. S. P. Singh Baghel addressed the concerning practice of “Mukhiya Pati”, “Pradhan Pati”, and “Sarpanch Pati” culture, where male relatives act as de facto leaders, undermining the leadership qualities of elected women representatives. He urged women leaders to exercise caution, especially in financial matters, while executing their official duties. The Minister referenced the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam and called for concerted efforts to address pressing issues like nutritional discrimination, female feticide, and domestic violence in rural India.
Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Smt. Raksha Nikhil Khadse, who began her political journey as a Sarpanch of Gram Panchayat in Maharashtra, shared her personal experience and highlighted the issue of proxy Sarpanches, placing the responsibility on women representatives themselves to assert their authority. She encouraged women to empower themselves to bridge the gap between Gram Panchayat leadership roles and representation in Parliament. “Your journey from Panchayat to Parliament is both possible and necessary for inclusive governance”, she stated.
Addressing the gathering, Shri Vivek Bharadwaj, Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, emphasized that women representatives must not be proxy representatives but actual leaders driving change at the grassroots level. “The vision of women-led development is being realized through our PRIs, where today 43 percent are Women Elected Representatives. It is noteworthy that Gram Panchayats receiving national awards are increasingly women-led”, he stated. Union Secretary Shri Bharadwaj highlighted that the initiative of “Sashakt Panchayat-Netri Abhiyan” marks the first time a dedicated capacity-building program for women is being implemented at such a grand scale.
The workshop witnessed the launch of specialized training modules designed specifically for capacity building of Women Elected Representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions, aligned with the vision of the Hon’ble Prime Minister. A comprehensive “Primer on Law Addressing Gender Based Violence and Harmful Practices” for Panchayat Elected Representatives was also introduced on this occasion.
A major highlight of the event was the felicitation of outstanding women leaders from Panchayats across States and Union Territories who have demonstrated exemplary work in rural local self-governance. These women were recognized for their remarkable contributions to transforming rural India through effective leadership at the grassroots level.
The National Workshop featured two insightful panel discussions. The first panel explored “Women’s Participation and Leadership in PRIs: Changing the Dynamics in Local Self-Governance”, examining how increased female representation is reshaping rural governance structures. The second panel focused on “Women-Led Local Governance: Sectoral Interventions by WERs”, covering vital areas including health and nutrition, education, safety and security of women and girl children, economic opportunities, and digital transformation.
These discussions were expertly chaired by Smt. Debashree Mukherjee, Secretary, Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation, and Smt. Alka Upadhyaya, Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, bringing high-level expertise to these critical conversations.
Cultural performances celebrating women’s achievements and resilience, organized by UNFPA, added a vibrant dimension to the workshop, showcasing the rich cultural heritage that honours women’s contributions to society.
The Sashakt Panchayat-Netri Abhiyan (सशक्त पंचायत-नेत्री अभियान) embodies the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of empowering women leaders in Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) through comprehensive and targeted capacity-building initiatives. This initiative focuses on enhancing leadership skills, governance capabilities, and decision-making confidence among elected women representatives, ensuring gender-sensitive, inclusive, and socially just Panchayats.
By strengthening women’s participation in grassroots governance, this initiative is a vital step toward achieving the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’ through ‘Viksit Panchayats’, recognizing that women’s empowerment is central to building a strong, just, and prosperous nation.