Women learn to lead local democracy in India

News from the Field, 29 November 2011

An UNDEF-funded project in Rajasthan, India, completed its work in 2011 to strengthen the leadership of women elected to Gram Panchayats, or village councils. The project provided training to more than 2,000 elected women and raised the profile of women's political leadership by engaging with the Ministry of Rural Development, media, the state election commission, and civil society. In addition to strengthening the knowledge and confidence of elected women, the programme addressed practical concerns, misinformation, and women's legal rights. As a result of the project, the participation of elected women in village council meetings has increased, as have joint initiatives on issues such as health, water, sanitation, education, violence, accountability and corruption.

To view a slideshow of the project's work click here