National workshop to empower women in Panchayati Raj

New Delhi

 The Ministry of Panchayati Raj is set to organize a national workshop for elected women representatives of Panchayati Raj institutions on March 4 at Vigyan Bhawan. The event will mark the launch of ‘Sashakt Panchayat-Netri Abhiyan,’ a strategic initiative aimed at enhancing the leadership and decision-making skills of women in rural governance.

Union Ministers Rajiv Ranjan Singh and Annpurna Devi, along with senior officials, will attend the workshop. The initiative is designed to equip elected women representatives with the necessary skills to take on leadership roles effectively. Over 1,200 women Panchayat leaders from different backgrounds will participate, making it a historic gathering ahead of International Women’s Day.

A key highlight of the event will be the felicitation of outstanding women leaders for their exemplary contributions to local governance. Additionally, specialized training modules will be launched to strengthen the capacity of elected women representatives. A primer on laws addressing gender-based violence will also be introduced.

Panel discussions will cover crucial themes such as women’s participation in rural governance, sectoral interventions by women leaders in areas like health, education, and digital transformation. Senior officials, including Debashree Mukherjee and Alka Upadhyaya, will chair these discussions.

Cultural performances by UNFPA celebrating women's achievements will add vibrancy to the event. The initiative aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of empowering ‘Nari Shakti’ in nation-building.