The Ministry of Panchayati Raj is set to launch a groundbreaking initiative aimed at fostering gender-sensitive governance at the grassroots level. The initiative, which focuses on the development of Model Women-Friendly Gram Panchayats (MWFGP), will be unveiled at a National Convention on March 5, 2025, at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.
This event, a key part of the Ministry’s International Women’s Day 2025 celebrations, seeks to ensure safety, inclusivity, and gender equality for women and girls in Gram Panchayats across the country.
Union Minister of State, Prof. S. P. Singh Baghel, from the Ministry of Panchayati Raj & Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, along with Union Minister of State, Anupriya Patel, from the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, will be present at the convention. Other notable attendees include Vivek Bharadwaj, Secretary of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, and Sushil Kumar Lohani, Additional Secretary.
Representatives from various ministries, departments, State Institutes of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj (SIRD&PRs), and international organizations such as the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) will also participate. Around 350 delegates, including elected representatives and officials from selected Gram Panchayats, are expected to attend either physically or virtually. At least one Gram Panchayat from every district across the country will be represented at the event.
The initiative aims to establish at least one Model Women-Friendly Gram Panchayat in each district, setting a benchmark for gender-sensitive and girl-friendly governance. These model panchayats will reflect Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of fostering safer and more inclusive rural communities, contributing to the broader goal of Viksit Bharat through Viksit Panchayats.
The convention will feature a virtual inauguration of training programs for elected representatives and officials from the identified Gram Panchayats. A dedicated Monitoring Dashboard will be launched to track the progress of the initiative.
Additionally, presentations on the concept of Women-Friendly Gram Panchayats will highlight best practices and key transformation elements, while informational videos showcasing successful women-friendly initiatives in panchayats across the country will be screened.
Following the convention, the Ministry will organize nationwide Mahila Gram Sabhas on March 8, 2025, coinciding with International Women’s Day.
