Why Women's Participation In Governance & Planning Matters

Empowering women to actively participate in governance and planning processes is crucial for building inclusive, equitable, and responsive local institutions. In many rural areas, women face systemic barriers to engaging in decision-making, including limited access to information, social norms, and institutional biases. Enhancing women's leadership in governance not only promotes gender equity but also leads to more effective and sustainable development outcomes.

 

Our Approach

Utthan adopts a multifaceted approach to strengthen women's roles in local governance: providing training and mentorship to elected women representatives (EWRs) to enhance their understanding of governance structures, roles, and responsibilities; facilitating women's active participation in Gram Panchayats and other local bodies to ensure their voices influence planning and decision-making; raising awareness about women's rights and entitlements, and advocating for gender-sensitive policies and practices within local governance frameworks; and organizing Mahila Sabhas (women's assemblies) and other forums to encourage collective action and dialogue on governance issues affecting them.

 

 

 

What We Do

Utthan empowers elected women representatives (EWRs) through capacity-building workshops and resources to enhance their participation in local governance. It facilitates the inclusion of women’s priorities in village development plans and budgets, ensuring more responsive governance. By nurturing women’s collectives, it creates platforms for advocacy and mutual support. The initiative also collaborates with local authorities to promote gender-sensitive policies that address the unique challenges women face in governance spaces.

 

Impact Highlights (2023–24)

• Enabled 47 villages to prepare inclusive Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDPs).
• Conducted 101 village-level workshops for participatory planning and local priority setting.
• Strengthened Village Development Committees (VDCs) and formed inclusive support groups to guide GPDP processes.
• Organised block and district consultations in Bhavnagar, Mahuva, and Dahod with government officials and VDC members to accelerate action on identified village development needs.