A comprehensive module for capacity building of Elected Women Representatives (EWRs) of Panchayats and a training program for Trainers of women panchayat leaders across the country was launched by the Ministry of Women and Child Development in collaboration with the Ministry of Panchayati Raj. Starting with Jharkhand, similar training programs will be organised in different states throughout the country

Current issue with EWS

• 33% reservation for women in the panchayat bodies, the EWRs continue to remain ineffective.
• They do not have appropriate knowledge and skill to administer the village.
• The show continues to be run by their husbands.
• The schemes implemented wre not reaching the grassroot level due to the inadequate skill among the EWS.
• Safety of women, education of the girl child, health of women, creation of assets under MGNREGA, immunization and ensuring nutrition through lakhs of Anganwadis of the country have become important issues at the grassroots level
• The women representatives can play a pivotal role in effective delivery.
• There are currently around 13 lakhs EWRs in panchayats across the nation.

Objectives of Training

• The training program seeks to empower EWRs of panchayats by enhancing their capacity, capability and skill in governance and administration of villages.
• To ensure that they take up the responsibility of all the tasks entrusted upon them on being elected.
• Training representatives at the grassroots level in various areas like engineering (building of roads, drains, latrines etc.), finance, social development, education, health, and environment among others.

Training Process

• The module has been prepared by the National Commission for Women of the WCD Ministry in collaboration with TISS.
• The module contains training guidelines, timeline, implementation guidelines, training schedules and monitoring and evaluation.
• The training will be participatory with group discussions, brainstorming lectures, demonstrations, field visits, case studies, games, exercise, role play, small workshops and individual assignments.
• The module discusses various topics like ‘What is an ideal Panchayat’, composition of the Gram Panchayat, development schemes and programmes, resources of panchayats and their utilization, laws for protection of the vulnerable sections among others.

Source : Pib

GS I : Role of women and women’s organization, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies