Women in Panchayats Urged to Recognize Their Influence for Societal Progress

Women panchayat representatives must recognise the authority vested in them, stated Panchayati Raj Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh on Wednesday. He highlighted the example of US Vice President Kamala Harris to illustrate women's potential in leadership roles. Singh emphasised that women should understand their crucial role in grassroots governance.

Addressing around 400 elected women representatives (EWRs) and elected representatives (ERs) of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) at the Red Fort, Singh stressed the importance of women's participation. He noted that a nation cannot progress while neglecting half its population. "Women are 50 per cent of the population; if they are not assimilated into the mainstream, how can you progress?" he questioned.

Importance of Women's Participation

Singh pointed out the sarpanch pati system, where husbands of elected women sarpanches wield actual power. He urged women representatives to understand and exercise their roles effectively. "When Prime Minister says Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, this is the thought behind it," he added.

He shared an anecdote about being mistaken for another MP at an event due to the presence of a 'Mukhiya Pati' or 'Pramukh Pati'. This highlighted the issue of husbands overshadowing elected women officials. Singh encouraged women to recognise their power and empower themselves.

Challenges and Aspirations

The minister acknowledged that panchayat elections are challenging and encouraged women to aspire to contest in assembly and Lok Sabha elections. "There will be no MP Pati in Parliament. They will have to use a spouse card issued in your name," he said. He praised the Panchayati Raj representatives for their excellent work on the ground.

Singh cited Kamala Harris's impact on the US presidential race as an example of women's power. "In the US election, as long as Joe Biden was the candidate against Donald Trump, everyone felt Trump was ahead... But ever since Kamala Harris has become the Democratic candidate, newspapers are saying Harris is ahead, and Trump has been left behind. This is the power of a woman," he said.

Constitutional Amendments and Reservations

The Constitution's 73rd Amendment Act, effective from April 1993, reserved one-third of seats for women in Panchayati Raj Institutions. Singh mentioned that several states have now given 50 per cent reservation to women in panchayats, with Bihar being the first state to do so in 2006.

He reiterated that women's participation is vital because they constitute half of the population. The Ministry of Panchayati Raj organised a National Workshop on Leadership by Women Elected Representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions as part of the lead-up to the 78th Independence Day celebrations.

Singh concluded by lauding the Panchayati Raj representatives for their significant contributions at the grassroots level. "You are also a constitutional body, and you start from the grassroots level. The right given to you by 73rd amendment makes you a strong pillar of Indian democracy," he said.

The workshop aimed to empower women leaders and included approximately 400 EWRs and ERs from PRIs invited as special guests for Independence Day celebrations at Red Fort.