Dehradun: 14 th February 2022, A Two-day Conference on “Democracy and Legal Rights: Empowering Rural Women through Awareness” was organized by Panchayati Rule and Gender Awareness Training Institute (PRAGATI) at J.P Plaza Auditorium, Kargi Chowk, Dehradun with the support of Taiwan Foundation for Democracy, attended by a populace of 40 women participants who were Elected women leaders belonging to rural local bodies such as female Gram Pradhan, women self-help groups (SHGs) members, ward members, other female community leaders, ASHA workers, health functionaries, human rights and gender experts, members of civil society, state actors, college students, and volunteers, etc. . Josphin Singh, Vice- Chairperson PRAGATI gave an orientation to the participants on Interconnection Between Democracy and Legal, Civil, Political, And Human Rights and How Rural Women Can Exercise Their Civil, Political, And Legal Rights in A Democracy and shared information about the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993.
She also explained Roles, Responsibilities and Duties of Parshads and Gram Pradhans, Leadership Qualities, the election process done at Panchayat and Nagar Nigam level, how EVM works. She discussed about the mistakes that occurs during election and the ways to prevent it. Further, Legal Trainer Shreyash Kumar discussed Challenges Which Women Leaders Face in A Democracy and Solutions for The Same with The Participants while Legal Trainer . Kamovardhan shared information about Domestic Violence Act 2005 and spoke about Rural.
Women’s Participation in A Democracy. Earlier Legal Trainer Sobiya Ameen discussed about Role of Panchayati Raj in Promotion of Women’s Rights and gave information about 73 rd And 74 th Amendment Act. Participants Ms. Sarla Jhakmola enquired about where and whom to complain if the elected representative has carried out incomplete developmental activities to which the panellist suggested to complain it to the Nagar Nigam or Directorate or Panchayati Raj. Another Participant Prema suggested that a similar Conference should be conducted for young women and girls so as they will be the new generation leaders while Ms. Shalini suggested for the women living in slum areas.
