I am 49 years old, have studied up to Class VIII and I married to an army man.
Ours is an all women Panchayat and along with the five women members,
I am addressing the issues of our Panchayat. I feel that, the more women
participate in Panchayats, the better the potential for socio-economic stability
at the grass root level; awareness needs to come from within. This may sound
unreal to many, but our small group of women Panchayat Leaders have broken
the patriarchal glass ceiling and stand proud as Elected Representatives of a
remote hill Panchayat which can only be reached after a two hours trek from
the road head.The Panchayat has seen more women participation in the Jawahar Yojna-
constructing water reservoirs, planting 25,000 saplings under the Hariyali
Yojna, this has increased the forest cover in the area. The village has also
seen work being done related to the environment, education, conservation,
sanitation, and other development-connected works. I have constructed a
Panchayat Bhawan as well as a school and people have benefited under the
Widow, Old Age, and Disabled Pension Schemes.Along with the other women Panchayat representatives, I decided that
without prior information, no interference of the Patwari will be allowed in
the Panchayat. We also decided to resolve the conflicts at our own level. I
make it a point to consult and take the assent of the gram Sabha members
about allocating funds towards the Village Development programmes. Our
strength lies in unity, since all the women feel very proud and empowered
when they participate in any development work of the gram Panchayat.Being all-women Panchayat, we have had to face various challenges from the
men. They wanted me and the other women members as a mere us titular
heads, while they would pursue their own agenda. However, it did not deter
us from delivering good governance.The Panchayat has tried to give the village women their due importance, and
employment. The money earned by women does not go to the liquor shop but
reaches the education, health, and other amenities of her home and hearth.Vidya Devi
President
Panchayat: Dikhet
Block: Dwarikhal
District: Pauri