Strengthening Grassroots Democracy through Women-Led Good Governance

Democracy at the grassroots grows stronger when citizens, especially women, actively participate in local governance. Caritas India’s Sanjeevani II Programme is demonstrating this truth through its Women-Led Good Governance initiative, which is fostering transparency, inclusion, and participation across communities in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.

The initiative has been implemented in the Dediapada block of Narmada district, the Gadthal and Choki villages of Surendranagar, and two Ward Sabhas in Indore city, with remarkable outcomes. Through capacity-building activities and awareness drives, community members—especially women—have become more informed about their rights, responsibilities, and entitlements under governance frameworks.

Women are no longer passive participants. Their attendance and engagement in Gram Sabha and Panchayat meetings have increased significantly, and they now influence decisions on development priorities, service delivery, and village planning.

A total of 10 Gram Sabhas were held on Republic Day under the Sanjeevani II Programme, engaging over 400 community members, of which nearly 50 percent were women. The meetings led to the submission of 23 memorandums to Panchayats, outlining local priorities such as livelihood support, road improvement, and fund utilization.

These Republic Day Gram Sabhas, organized by Khedut Vikas Mandal (Vadodara), Navjeevan Trust (Rajkot), and Janvikas Samiti (Indore), served as inclusive platforms for democratic participation and reaffirmed the growing role of women in governance processes.

Caritas India and its partners ensured thorough preparation for these events through demo Gram Sabhas, awareness campaigns, and the distribution of information materials. Special Panchayati Raj training sessions were organized for Sarpanch, deputy Sarpanch, and ward members—both men and women—emphasizing participatory planning and accountability.

To deepen governance understanding in scheduled areas, a special Gram Sabha on the PESA Act was held in Dediapada block. Key discussions focused on converting the forest village Kanjai into a revenue village, addressing pending issues, and forming a Community Forest Management Committee. Another special Gram Sabha in Vedcha village discussed community concerns over tribal land acquisition for the Golden Corridor Project—creating an open, informed dialogue on development and rights.

Mrs. Hinaben Vasava, a ward member of Govalawadi Umran Panchayat, shared how Sanjeevani training helped her mobilize women’s participation in Gram Sabhas and submit collective memorandums on community needs.

Similarly, Dhaneshwari Manjhi, Chairperson of Mahima Sashaktikaran Group in Indore, organized wards to discuss sanitation issues and collaboratively present solutions to municipal authorities—marking a shift toward proactive civic engagement led by women.

The Women-Led Good Governance initiative under Sanjeevani II has become a practical model for promoting participatory governance. Increased awareness, improved representation of women in Panchayats, and community-driven planning have led to more responsive local institutions.

Backed by Caritas India’s vision of inclusive and accountable governance, these efforts continue to empower women to lead from within their communities—ensuring that development is both equitable and locally owned.