Union Ministers Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel and Smt. Anupriya Patel to Attend the Event
Nationwide Mahila Gram Sabhas Planned for International Women’s Day
New Delhi, March 4, 2025: In a major step toward gender-sensitive governance at the grassroots level, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj is set to launch the Model Women-Friendly Gram Panchayats (MWFGP) Initiative at a National Convention on March 5, 2025, at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. The event is a key part of the Ministry’s International Women’s Day 2025 celebrations and aims to foster safety, inclusivity, and gender equality in rural governance across India.
The convention will be 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, Smt. Anupriya Patel (Ministry of Health & Family Welfare). Senior officials, including Shri Vivek Bharadwaj, Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, and Shri Sushil Kumar Lohani, Additional Secretary, along with representatives from various government departments, State Institutes of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj (SIRD&PRs), and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), will also be present.
Around 350 participants, including elected representatives and officials from selected Gram Panchayats, will join the event physically and virtually. At least one Gram Panchayat from every district in India will participate, ensuring wide-scale representation.
A Vision for Gender-Inclusive Rural Governance
The initiative seeks to establish at least one Model Women-Friendly Gram Panchayat in each district, serving as an example of gender-sensitive and girl-friendly governance practices. These model panchayats will reflect Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of creating safer, inclusive, and socially just rural communities, contributing to the larger goal of Viksit Bharat through Viksit Panchayats.
Key Highlights of the National Convention:
Virtual Inauguration of training programs for elected representatives and officials of identified Gram Panchayats.
Launch of a Monitoring Dashboard to track the progress of Model Women-Friendly Gram Panchayats.
Presentations on the Women-Friendly Gram Panchayats concept, showcasing best practices and key elements for transformation.
Screening of Informational Videos highlighting successful women-friendly initiatives in Gram Panchayats across India.
Following the National Convention, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj will also organize nationwide Mahila Gram Sabhas on March 8, 2025, coinciding with International Women’s Day. These events will mark the grassroots-level implementation of the initiative, further strengthening efforts toward gender equality and women’s empowerment in rural India.
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