Elected Women Representatives (EWRs) of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) participated in “Localizing the SDGs: Women in Local Governance in India Lead the Way” Event | Current Affairs | Vision IAS
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Elected Women Representatives (EWRs) of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) participated in “Localizing the SDGs: Women in Local Governance in India Lead the Way” Event

Posted 06 May 2024

2 min read

  • Held at UN Headquarters (New York), it highlighted role of EWRs in advancing localization of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the grassroots level.

 

  • Women in PRIs: India has more than 1.4 million EWRs, constituting around 46% of total PRI representatives. 
    • 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992 reserved 1/3rd of electoral seats in the PRIs. 
      • 22 States and UTs have provided a 50% reservation for women (2021).

 

  • Significance of EWRs: 
    • Improved developmental outcomes: EWRs have ensured better distribution of essential public goods. 
      • Critical role in strengthening sustainable development at grassroot level. 
    • Social Change: Prioritise policies that contribute to more equitable and responsive local communities. 
      • For instance, EWRs contributed to decreasing Total Fertility Rate, improving median age of marriage for women etc.
    • Other: Deepening democracy and inclusive governance etc.

 

  • Concerns: 
    • Cultural Constraints: Undervaluation and neglection of contributions due to patriarchal social norms and stereotypes. 
    • Proxy Representation: Actual decision-making powers with husbands/male family members. 
    • Policy of rotation of reserved seats: EWRs could not extend their learned experience. 
    • Other: Domestic and caregiving responsibilities, apprehensions about ability, digital divide etc. 

 

  • Initiatives: Leadership and Management Development Programme, Capacity-building Programme for EWRs, Drone Didi, Lakhpati Didi etc. 

 

Localization of SDGs

  • SDG localization is the process of transforming the SDGs into reality at the local level, in coherence with the national frameworks and in line with communities’ priorities.
    • SDGs are a global agenda adopted by the UN in 2015, comprising 17 goals and 169 targets. 
  • Localisation relates both to how local governments can support SDGs achievement through bottom-up action as well as how SDGs can provide a framework for local development policy
  • Tags :
  • Localization of SDGs
  • Women in PRIs
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