India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ruchira Kamboj, highlighted the remarkable progress made in women’s leadership within India’s Panchayati Raj system, a unique system of rural governance that decentralizes power at the grassroots level.
Speaking at India’s side event at the 57th UN Commission on Population and Development (#CPD57) titled “Localising the SDGs: Women in Local Governance in India Leads the Way,” Kamboj emphasized the transformative impact of women’s empowerment at the grassroots level through the Panchayati Raj system.
Highlighting India’s commitment to gender equality, Kamboj said, “A significant milestone was achieved with the constitutional amendment in 1992, which mandated that at least one third of all elected roles in local governance be reserved for women.
Kamboj also celebrated the elevation of women’s representation to 50 per cent in 21 states within India, stating, “Today, of the over 3.1 million elected representatives, more than 1.4 million are women.” This surge in women’s participation reflects a broader societal shift towards recognising and valuing women’s contributions to governance and community development.
“The impact of such initiatives has been transformative,” she said. By integrating gender considerations into development planning, the Panchayati Raj system ensures that women’s needs and priorities are effectively addressed, leading to more inclusive and sustainable outcomes, she added.
Commending the efforts of women leaders in breaking traditional barriers, Kamboj emphasised their role in revolutionising 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.
Acknowledging the challenges faced by women in leadership, Kamboj stressed the need for supportive legal frameworks, robust capacity building initiatives, and collaborative partnerships to advance gender equality.
“India’s experience provides invaluable insights and lessons on advancing and sustaining women’s leadership,” she said, emphasising the importance of creating an enabling environment for women to thrive in governance roles.
Kamboj concluded, invoking the words of Mahatma Gandhi to underline the immeasurable strength of women.
(Inputs from ANI)