The Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR), Government of India (GoI) is working towards localizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to achieve the 2030 development agenda. As per its Expert Committee Report on Localizing SDGs through Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), nine themes have been adopted for local action on the SDGs. Theme-9 focuses on creating women-friendly panchayats and aims to localize SDG-5 for achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls.

It is hoped that the book comprising 21 success stories of women-friendly panchayats of India will inspire other panchayats to work towards attaining the goals under SDG-5 and Theme-9. Since achieving gender equality and empowering women and girls is a cross-cutting theme, it will help PRIs attain the other SDGs by mainstreaming participation of women and girls. Reaching out to women, girls and those in vulnerable situations will also ensure that no one is left behind in the development process.