(a) whether the Government has any mechanism to develop leadership capacities in women and make them vocal for their rights;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the State Governments are actively engaging in such activities;
(d) if so, the details thereof, State wise;
(e) whether the Government has any intention to initiate more such initiatives for women empowerment; and
(f) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
(DR. VIRENDRA KUMAR)
(a) & (b): The Government of India has initiated the Capacity Building Programme for Elected Women Representatives (EWRs) of Panchayati Raj Institutions with an objective of empowering them by developing leadership capacities so that they serve as catalysts for social change and function as peer facilitators in the field, become vocal for their rights and participate effectively in the governance processes.
(c) & (d): State Governments have been actively involved in imparting these trainings. Mainly, State Institute of Rural Developments (SIRDs) and State Resource Centres (SRCs) are actively collaborating with Ministry of Women and Child Development in conducting training programmes across the States. Convergence with various Departments at the district level is being sought while organizing the training programme. This involves collaborating with institutions of the Departments of Panchayati Raj, Agriculture, Women & Child Development, Rural Development, etc. In Phase-I of the programme (2017-18), a total 18,578 EWRs in 14 States were trained. In Phase-II, 18 States have been included for capacity building programmes for EWRs. The details of States/UTs, No. of districts, No. of EWRs to be trained are at Annexure-I.
(e) & (f): The Capacity Building Programme undertaken by Ministry of Women and Child Development is a significant endeavour in creating a forum for EWRs to understand their roles and responsibilities in a more prolific manner. Although it is the first step towards harnessing the full potential of EWRs, but this is envisioned as a continuous process in order to instill confidence, courage, conviction, motivation and above all providing hand-holding support to EWRs for mainstreaming them in the governance process.
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Annexure -I
Statement referred to in reply to Part (c) & (d) to the Rajya Sabha Un-starred Question No. 2798 for 28.12.2018 regarding ‘Developing Leadership Capacities in Women’
Details of States/UTs, No. of Districts, No. of Elected Women Representatives to be trained
Sl. No.
States/UTs No. of Districts No. of EWRs to be trained
1 Uttar Pradesh 75 3375
2 Karnataka 30 1350
3 Gujarat 33 1485
4 Chhattisgarh 27 1215
5 Himachal Pradesh 12 540
6 Punjab 22 990
7 Goa 2 90
8 Sikkim 4 180
9 Lakshadweep 1 45
10 Assam 33 1485
11 Manipur 16 720
12 Tripura 8 360
13 Daman & Diu 2 90
14 Andaman &Nicobar 3 135
15 Nagaland 11 495
16 Maharashtra 3 180
17 Madhya Pradesh 51 2295
18 Rajasthan 1 45
Total 334 15030
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