A four-day Training of Trainers (ToT) programme titled ‘Championing Change: Empowering Women Leaders in Local Governance for District-Level Master Trainers’ concluded at the State Panchayat Resource Centre (SPRC), Directorate of Rural Development, Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), Marine Hill. The event was held under the Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) and aimed at building a cadre of skilled trainers who can promote gender-inclusive leadership and strengthen women’s participation in grassroots governance.
Guided by Secretary (Rural Development/Panchayati Raj), the training programme sought to create district-level master trainers who would further disseminate knowledge and best practices across local bodies in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Over the four days, participants were introduced to modules focusing on leadership development, participatory planning, effective communication, and gender-sensitive governance frameworks.
During the valedictory session, Rajesh Chopra, IAS, Secretary (RD/P), addressed the participants, highlighting the pivotal role of women leaders in transforming rural governance structures. He emphasized that empowering women at the grassroots level is key to ensuring inclusive growth and sustainable local development. Urging participants to act as catalysts for change, he encouraged them to apply their learning to the field, promote gender equity, and nurture emerging women leaders within their respective districts. He also distributed certificates and training kits to participants who successfully completed the programme.
Apurva Sharma, Director (RD/PRIs), in his address, underscored the role of such capacity-building exercises in strengthening Panchayati Raj Institutions. He noted that empowering women representatives enhances transparency, accountability, and inclusivity in local governance. Acknowledging the enthusiasm and commitment of the participants, he pointed out that trained master trainers play a crucial role in cascading these lessons to a wider base of panchayat functionaries, thereby multiplying the impact of the RGSA initiative.
Earlier, Bijoy Kumar Das, State Nodal Officer (RGSA), welcomed the chief guest and participants, setting the tone for the final day’s proceedings. He outlined the objectives of the training, which align with the RGSA’s mission to strengthen democratic institutions through leadership and skill development. Das reiterated that empowering women representatives not only enhances participation in governance but also ensures that community decisions reflect diverse perspectives and needs.
The training covered interactive sessions, group discussions, and scenario-based learning exercises to enhance the trainers’ understanding of field-level challenges faced by women representatives. Resource persons facilitated activities that addressed leadership confidence, communication barriers, and strategic problem-solving within local self-governance frameworks. Participants also engaged in case study analyses highlighting successful examples of women-led governance models from across the country.
The RGSA, a centrally sponsored scheme of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, focuses on capacity building and training of elected representatives and officials to ensure effective functioning of Panchayati Raj Institutions. In the context of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, where local self-government plays a vital role in community development, such initiatives are instrumental in promoting participatory governance that includes the voices of women leaders at every level.
The ToT programme concluded on a positive note, with participants expressing commitment to replicating the training outcomes in their respective districts. The initiative is expected to create a multiplier effect, enhancing governance standards while fostering gender-responsive decision-making processes across local institutions.
By prioritizing leadership training for women, the Andaman and Nicobar Administration continues its efforts toward building inclusive, equitable, and community-driven governance frameworks, reinforcing the principles of empowerment and participation that lie at the heart of democratic development.
