New Delhi, March 5, 2025 – The Ministry of Panchayati Raj has launched a pioneering initiative to promote gender-sensitive governance at the grassroots level. The Model Women-Friendly Gram Panchayat (MWFGP) initiative was unveiled at a National Convention held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, as part of the International Women’s Day 2025 celebrations.
Key Highlights of the Initiative
- The initiative aims to establish at least one Model Women-Friendly Gram Panchayat in each district, fostering safety, inclusivity, and gender equality.
- It aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of strengthening Viksit Bharat through Viksit Panchayats.
- A dedicated Monitoring Dashboard was launched to track the progress of the initiative.
- The convention included virtual training programs for elected representatives and officials from selected Gram Panchayats.
- Best practices and success stories of women-friendly initiatives were presented.
Dignitaries and Participants
The event was attended by Union Minister of State, Prof. S. P. Singh Baghel (Ministry of Panchayati Raj & Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying) and Union Minister of State, Anupriya Patel (Ministry of Health & Family Welfare). Other prominent attendees included Vivek Bharadwaj, Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, and Sushil Kumar Lohani, Additional Secretary.
Representatives from various ministries, State Institutes of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj (SIRD&PRs), and international organizations such as the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) participated. Around 350 delegates, including elected representatives and officials from selected Gram Panchayats, attended physically or virtually.
Upcoming Nationwide Mahila Gram Sabhas
To further strengthen women’s participation in governance, the Ministry will organize Mahila Gram Sabhas nationwide on March 8, 2025, coinciding with International Women’s Day.
