Facts:
- At present, there are around 13 lakhs EWRs in panchayats throughout the country
How Women Representatives are better than men?
- The women sarpanches can be helpful in taking several new schemes of the government to the common man especially those in distress and the underprivileged.
- Women sarpanches can also play a vital role in ensuring the safety of women, education of the girl child, health of women, creation of assets under MGNREGA, immunisation and other important issues at the grassroots level.
Issues:
- Proxy Pradhan i.e. husband/son of the elected representative replace her in actual functioning of administration
- Lack of experience
- Social Taboos like Parda Pratha
Steps Taken:
The Ministry of Women and Child Development in collaboration with the Ministry of Panchayati Raj has launched a nationwide programme for capacity building of Elected Women Representatives (EWRs) of Panchayats.
The initiative is aimed at empowering EWRs by enhancing their capacity, capability and skill in governance and administration of villages as the EWRs lack appropriate knowledge and skill to administer the village