Women Resource Center Drives Change for a Women-Friendly Panchayat

In Saleibeda GP of Mayurbhanj district, the Women Resource Center (WRC) facilitated by CYSD under the Pragati Project started as a safe space for women to meet, learn, and access opportunities. Over time, it became more than just a meeting place, it turned into a platform for advocacy and action. Recently, the WRC Committee took a bold step by submitting a formal grievance to the Panchayat, demanding a stronger focus on gender issues in the Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP) 2025-26 under the "Sankalp Theme: Women-Friendly Panchayat."

Despite women actively participating in Mahila Sabha and SHG activities, their concerns often took a backseat in local governance planning. Key issues included lack of gender-specific budget allocation in GPDP, insufficient livelihood support for women entrepreneurs, limited focus on gender-based violence and safety measures and need for better menstrual health and maternity care services. At the same time, the WRC was already contributing to major community initiatives, such as mentoring dropout children through Gaon Mitras and supporting women-led enterprises. However, without formal recognition in governance plans, these efforts lacked sustained support.

With growing confidence and collective action, the Women Resource Centre (WRC) Committee took a bold step toward asserting women's voices in local governance. They drafted and submitted a formal grievance memorandum to the Panchayat, highlighting key gender concerns that had long been overlooked. Among their primary demands were the formal inclusion of the WRC in the GPDP process to ensure women's issues receive due attention. They also called for a dedicated budget to support women’s safety, livelihood training, and menstrual health, alongside strengthening legal and institutional support for gender-based violence cases. Additionally, the WRC urged the Panchayat to expand education support through Gaon Mitras to prevent school dropouts, especially among girls. This marked the first time a women-led community group officially challenged the Panchayat’s approach to gender-responsive planning.

The impact of this intervention was immediate and significant. For the first time, the GPDP for FY 2025–26 included a dedicated women-centric focus. The Panchayat formally agreed to incorporate gender-responsive planning, acknowledging the urgency and validity of the WRC’s demands. In another milestone, the WRC gained formal recognition as a key stakeholder in local governance. They are now regularly consulted during Gram Sabha discussions, enabling them to bring forward community-level insights and advocate for women’s priorities. Importantly, the Panchayat also committed to allocating specific budgetary resources for women's welfare. This includes support for livelihood initiatives, health services, and education, directly responding to the core areas identified in the WRC’s grievance submission.

The success of the WRC’s efforts has sparked a wider change in the community. Encouraged by this breakthrough, more women are now stepping forward to engage in governance and decision-making processes, leading to a more inclusive and balanced local development approach. Looking ahead, the WRC is determined to ensure that their proposals are not just acknowledged but implemented effectively. They plan to closely track the progress of the commitments made and conduct periodic review meetings with the Panchayat. Through this continued engagement, the WRC aims to uphold accountability and ensure that women’s voices remain central to village development planning. Plans are underway to replicate this model in other GPs, strengthening women-led governance initiatives.

"For years, our voices were unheard in planning meetings. But now, through the WRC, we are shaping the future of our Panchayat." – A WRC Committee Member.