National Workshop on Addressing Gender-Based Violence through Panchayati Raj organised in New Delhi

New Delhi: Shri Giriraj Singh, Union Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, inaugurated a one-day National Workshop virtually, shedding light on the crucial role of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in addressing Gender-Based Violence (GBV). The event, organized by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj in collaboration with UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund) India, aimed to empower PRIs in fostering social change and combatting challenges related to gender-based violence.

During the virtual inauguration, Shri Giriraj Singh released a handbook titled “Panchayats Free From Gender-Based Violence – A Handbook for Elected Representatives.” The Union Minister commended the Ministry of Panchayati Raj for its initiative to implement the government’s commitment to economic growth, gender equality, and women empowerment in rural areas. He emphasized the pivotal role of PRIs in driving social change and addressing issues like gender-based violence.

Highlighting the focus areas of the workshop, the inaugural session delved into the Role of UNFPA in Capacity Building of PRIs, Strengthening Institutional Efforts at the Grassroots Level, the Role of Community-Based Organisations (CBOs) / Self-Help Groups (SHGs), and Promoting Community-based Initiatives to prevent GBV.

Thought-provoking group discussions, engaging presentations, and interactive sessions characterized the workshop, offering a platform for sharing best practices, discussing challenges, and formulating actionable strategies. The discussions brought together stakeholders from various sectors, including representatives from UNFPA, PRIs, Government Organizations, NGOs/CBOs, and field experts.

Key issues discussed during the day-long workshop included the role of PRIs and Community-Based Organisations in addressing Gender-Based Violence, the involvement of Civil Society Organisations at the grassroots level, addressing issues related to Women and Girl Child Trafficking, and the role of elected representatives in mitigating gender-based violence at the grassroots.

The workshop exemplified the Ministry of Panchayati Raj’s commitment to fostering positive change, emphasizing the multifaceted dimensions of gender-based violence and encouraging actionable strategies for empowerment at the grassroots level. Senior officers from various ministries and representatives of organizations like PRADAN and TRIF actively participated in the insightful discussions.