India’s Panchayati Raj institutions are playing a critical role in pushing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to the last mile. Elected representatives, especially women leaders, are at the forefront of this transformation. The country’s efforts in localising SDGs through inclusive governance stand as a testament to its unwavering commitment to global aspirations while placing Gram Panchayats at the heart of this change. It also strongly resonates with the theme of 2024 International Women’s Day: ‘Invest in women: Accelerate progress‘.

The journey of India’s grassroots governance has been shaped by the 73rd and 74th constitutional amendments that reserved one-third of seats for women in local administrative bodies. Since then, 21 states have gone a step further and ensured 50% reservation for women in local governance. Today, with over 1.4 million elected women representatives (EWRs) or sarpanchs, India is part of a cohort of 20 countries where women hold more than 40% of local seats.

Prema Devi Meena, a 48-year-old woman sarpanch from Kodai Gram Panchayat, Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan, exemplifies this progress. Through her leadership, she has spearheaded vital infrastructure improvements, focusing on enhancing road conditions, ensuring access to clean toilets for women, and bolstering school safety for girls. Her efforts epitomise how women are steering their communities towards sustainable development and gender equality.

Read more at: https://india.unfpa.org/en/news/opinion-key-fast-track-indias-progress-more-women-local-bodies