Recently India improved its rankings in the annual gender gap report by World Economic Forum. There is more to be achieved on the front, with the country ranking 127, though it is good progress from the 135th rank last year.
Early this year, India sought the inclusion of women’s political representation at the grassroots; the same was accepted by the forum.
It is to be ascertained if their inclusion bettered the rankings for India. Yet, here are some reasons why the grassroots are where the change begins for bridging the yawning gender gap.
A pivotal point in rural India: An analysis titled ‘Women’s Participation at Grassroot Level: An Analysis’ discusses that women are a ‘pivotal point in the process of change in the rural areas. Women’s participation in panchayats offers opportunities for women to participate in decision-making.’
Offer insights into needs: Their political representation at the grassroots enables finding a voice for issues concerning them. Be it educational opportunities or healthcare, women’s political representation can streamline systems resulting in equal access.
Key to building community resilience: Another study, ‘Turning Good Practice into Institutional Mechanisms: Investing in grassroots women’s leadership to scale up local implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action’, illustrated the remarkable capacity and leadership women in the grassroots have in building community resilience. Women’s negotiations with local, national, and regional authorities enable communities to access resources, basic services, and infrastructure, upgrade, and secure housing. These favorably affect their ability to reduce risk and vulnerability in the face of disaster. In addition to improving the quality of life in poor communities, women’s organizations at the grassroots are renegotiating their status with decision-makers and advancing their strategic interests, said the analysis.
Over the years, the participation of women has been increasing through SHGs, and in the local body elections, most recently. With the above factors indicating that there are multiple ways to leverage their participation, women at the grassroots are the harbinger of change.
