India’s Panchayati Raj System Highlights Progress Made in Women Leadership: Ruchira Kamboj

New York: India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ruchira Kamboj, shed light on the remarkable progress made in women’s leadership within India’s Panchayati Raj system, saying: “India prides itself on a unique system of rural governance known stands as the Panchayati Raj – an emblem of decentralized power at the grassroots level.”

Speaking at India’s #CPD57 side event, “Localizing the SDGs: Women in Local Governance in India Leads the Way”, Kamboj highlighted the transformative impact of women’s empowerment at the grassroots level. The Panchayati Raj is an excellent example of direct democracy that facilitates active participation of all residents of a Panchayat through the Gram Sabha,” Kamboj pointed out, underscoring the decentralized power structure of the system.

This unique aspect sets it apart from conventional municipal governance models found elsewhere in the world, making it a model for promoting inclusive decision-making processes. Highlighting India’s commitment to gender equality, Kamboj noted, “An important milestone was achieved with the constitutional amendment in 1992, which mandated that at least one-third of all elected positions in local government should be reserved for women.”

This constitutional provision was a milestone towards fair representation of women in decision-making bodies at the grassroots level. Kamboj also celebrated the increase in women’s representation to 50 percent in 21 states in India, saying, “Today, out of more than 3.1 million elected representatives, more than 1.4 million are women.”

This increase in women’s participation reflects a broader societal shift toward recognizing and valuing women’s contributions to governance and community development. The local planning process within the Panchayati Raj system, as Kamboj explained, is closely aligned with the localization of Sustainable Development Goals, with a primary focus on empowering women.

“The impact of such initiatives has been transformative,” she noted. 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.

Kamboj commended the efforts of women leaders in breaking traditional barriers and highlighted their role in revolutionizing communities by improving education, healthcare, sanitation and livelihoods. Women leaders in Panchayati Raj institutions have played an important role in driving positive change at the grassroots level, using their unique perspectives and experiences to address pressing social and economic challenges.

Kamboj acknowledged the challenges women face in leadership and emphasized 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 promoting and sustaining women’s leadership,” she noted, emphasizing the importance of creating an enabling environment for women to thrive in board positions.

“As we move forward, let us renew our commitment to promoting women’s leadership in local governance, recognizing its transformative power in achieving gender equality and the Sustainable Development Goals,” Kamboj concluded, echoing the words of Mahatma Gandhi invoked to underline the immeasurable power of women. .