Women power as a force for good

The 57th United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Population Development (CPD57) witnessed the transformative potential of women in local governance. Three inspiring Elected Women Representatives from across India stepped into the spotlight to share their journeys of localising SDGs to improve the lives of women and girls. Supriya Das Datta, the first woman representative from Tripura, Hemakumari from Andhra Pradesh, and Neeru Yadav, the "Hockey Sarpanch" from Rajasthan, each brought unique experiences and championed different causes within their communities.

"In response to the aspirations of women in India, today, out of over 3.1 million elected representatives, more than 1.4 million are women."

The event, titled "Localizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Women in Local Governance in India Lead the Way," was organised by the Permanent Mission of India (PMI) to the United Nations, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) with the support of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR), Government of India. The focus was to share valuable lessons and insights from India's experience with the Panchayat Raj Institutions (Local Government Councils), focusing on strategies for promoting gender equality and women's empowerment through poverty reduction and inclusive development.

"No country can make significant progress if it leaves half of its population behind."

The speakers for the event also included Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj, Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations; Ms. Diene Keita, Deputy Executive Director of UNFPA; Ambassador Andreas Løvold, Deputy Permanent Representative of Norway; Vivek Bharadwaj, Secretary of Ministry of Panchayati Raj; Pio Smith, UNFPA Asia-Pacific Regional Director; Alok Prem Nagar, Joint Secretary of Ministry of Panchayati Raj; and moderated by UNFPA India Representative, Andrea M. Wojnar.

Setting the tone, Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj, stated in her opening remarks, "In response to the aspirations of women in our country, today, out of over 3.1 million elected representatives, more than 1.4 million are women."

Echoing the sentiment, Ms. Diene Keita, Deputy Executive Director of UNFPA said, "We count on India to show the way…by shining the light on every woman, every girl, everywhere.”

Ambassador Andreas Løvold, emphasising the importance of women's leadership in driving inclusive development remarked, "No country can make significant progress if it leaves half of its population behind."

Women at the helm of local governance are the architects of a sustainable future

From Frontline to Front Office: Breaking Barriers and Stereotypes

The women leaders: Neeru, Hemakumari, and Supriya shared their journey of localizing SDGs to directly improve the lives of women and girls within their unique local contexts. Through their individual stories and community-led development models their messaging was very clear– Invest in women's empowerment and leadership as women at the helm of local governance are the architects of a sustainable future.

Hear from Supriya Das Datta, Elected Women Representative from Tripura, India

Supriya Das Datta, an Elected Women Representative from Tripura, India shared, “Understanding the importance of giving women a proper platform, I pushed for a specific time during Gram Sabhas (Village Council Meeting) where women could share their issues. I created a platform called "Tomader Kotha Bolte Hobe" (Your story must be told), which started as a non-political platform, and gradually grew into a big movement”. Remarkably, under her leadership, participation in Self Help Groups in her Panchayat surged from 600 to over 6,000 women! A definitive symbol of women’s participation in the development and growth of their village.

Hear from Hemakumari, Elected Women Representative from Andhra Pradesh

The dedication of Hemakumari, Elected Women Representative from Andhra Pradesh, to women’s empowerment is commendable as she outlines her approach centred towards three key pillars: health, education, and financial independence. She expressed her commitment to inclusive governance as she shared, “I organised regular medical camps and public outreach programs, guaranteeing last-mile coverage of medical services, particularly for girls and women.” Her message to the world was very clear, “Empowerment lies in fostering self-reliance and confidence, encouraging informed decisions about health, education, and livelihoods.”

Hear from Neeru Yadav, Elected Women Representative from Rajasthan

Neeru, the ‘Hockey Sarpanch’ of Rajasthan played a pivotal role in establishing a girls' hockey team, igniting a passion for the sport and empowering young girls to reach their fullest potential. As an Elected Women Representative, Neeru has also been a strong advocate for environmental sustainability. "Recognising the urgency of tackling plastic waste," she explained at the side event, "I set out to make our Panchayat plastic-free." Neeru established a Utensil Bank, where steel replaces plastic at weddings, and encouraged shops to use cloth bags crafted by local women. Through these initiatives, she not only champions sustainability but also creates employment opportunities for women, all while striving towards a plastic-free Panchayat.

Lessons from the Indian Experience especially for South-South Cooperation

India's success in strengthening the participation of women in governance lies in its approach to SDGs. Vivek Bharadwaj, Secretary of MoPR explained, "It's not easy to translate global goals into something everyone understands. That's why India localized them into 9 clear themes." This allows each village council to choose a theme annually, take ownership of the plan, and ensure its implementation. He further emphasised the high level of accountability achieved. "Every development plan is available on a digital platform, and public assets are geo-tagged. You can see each financial account as well – creating complete transparency."

While replicating successful programmes can be beneficial, constant evaluation and adaptation are crucial for addressing the unique challenges faced by women in different regions

While replicating successful programmes can be beneficial, constant evaluation and adaptation are crucial for addressing the unique challenges faced by women in different regions. Pio Smith, UNFPA Asia-Pacific Regional Director, elaborated on the crucial role of South-South and triangular cooperation in fostering collaborative learning and contextualising effective strategies to meet the needs of diverse women and girls. He remarked, “By facilitating the exchange among partners of best practices, including India, the aim is to amplify the impact of initiatives that promote gender equality,” or SDG5, a linchpin in accomplishing all global goals.

Supriya, Hemakumari, and Neeru are a glimpse of what's possible when women lead.

India's success in empowering women at the local level offers a powerful blueprint for global action. Andrea Wojnar, UNFPA India Representative, the moderator of the event succinctly captured the significance of India's success: "Women in local governance in India lead the way. If India achieves the SDGs, the world achieves the SDGs."

Supriya, Hemakumari, and Neeru are a glimpse of what's possible when women lead. Their leadership reminds us that progress happens empowering others and tackling everyday challenges with vision and compassion. By investing in women's leadership at all levels we unlock a future where women are not just participants, but drivers of a more just, equitable, and sustainable world.

The coverage of India's Panchayati Raj system and its strides in women's leadership has been featured across several publication houses and news channels. These include Economic Times, Indian Express, Republic World, DNA India, NewsX, Times of India, Amar Ujala, ETV Bharat, India West, Tribune, Daily Pioneer, Odisha Post, Greater Kashmir, JK News Today, The Hans India, Deccan Chronicle, Sentinel Assam, Azad Sipahi, Jaisalmer News, Morung Express, Northeast Today, Jagran, Etemaad Daily, Pragativadi, Newsroom Odisha, India Education Diary, Odisha TV, DD News, Insa Machar, ANI News, India TV Hindi, Daily Excelsior, PIB Press Release, and the UN News. These outlets have highlighted the achievements and representation of women leaders in local governance, showcasing their impact at national and international platforms.