Why is it in the news?

• Elected Women Representatives (EWRs) of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) participated in “Localizing the SDGs: Women in Local Governance in India Lead the Way” event at New York.

EWRs

About:

• India has more than 4 million EWRs, constituting approximately 46% of the total PRI representatives.
• The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992 mandated the reservation of one-third of electoral seats in PRIs for women.
• Progressively, 22 states and union territories (UTs) have implemented a 50% reservation for women in PRIs as of 2021.

Significance of EWRs:

• EWRs play a pivotal role in ensuring better distribution of essential public goods at the grassroots level.
• They contribute significantly to strengthening sustainable development by prioritizing policies that cater to the specific needs of local communities.
• EWRs have been instrumental in driving social change by championing policies that contribute to a more equitable and responsive society. Notable achievements include the contribution towards decreasing the Total Fertility Rate and improving the median age of marriage for women.

Challenges faced by EWRs:

• EWRs often face undervaluation and neglect of their contributions due to entrenched patriarchal social norms and stereotypes.
• Despite holding elected positions, the actual decision-making powers are sometimes wielded by husbands or male family members, undermining the autonomy of EWRs.
• The policy of rotation of reserved seats prevents EWRs from leveraging their experience and expertise over consecutive terms.

Initiatives to address challenges:

• Aimed at enhancing the leadership skills and managerial capabilities of EWRs to effectively discharge their duties.
• Providing training and support to equip EWRs with the necessary knowledge and skills to navigate the complexities of local governance.
• Initiatives like Drone Didi and Lakhpati Didi aim to empower EWRs by providing them with access to technology and financial resources to drive local development.