New Delhi- New Delhi witnessed the inauguration of the second edition of SheLeads, a flagship leadership workshop for women, by Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Smt. Annpurna Devi. Organized by UN Women India, this two-day workshop gathered grassroots women leaders, public representatives, and administrators from various parts of the country to build leadership skills, promote dialogue, and strengthen women’s role in governance. The workshop comes in the wake of the historic Women’s Reservation Act, 2023, which mandates 33% reservation for women in Parliament and State Assemblies, a landmark move aimed at correcting the current underrepresentation of women, who hold only 14% of seats in the Lok Sabha.
In her address, Smt. Annpurna Devi highlighted that women’s leadership goes beyond symbolic representation and is essential for realizing a truly developed and inclusive India. SheLeads, she said, is a crucial step in ensuring women have the capabilities and networks required to lead change and help shape the nation’s developmental journey. The programme aligns with national goals such as the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda and India’s Vision 2040.
Norway’s Ambassador to India, Ms. May-Elin Stener, also participated in the event and expressed her country’s pride in supporting efforts that promote gender equality and women’s empowerment through practical, inclusive governance. This year’s edition saw an overwhelming response, with over 260 applications from 22 states, a significant rise from the inaugural workshop held in February. Following a thorough selection process, 36 women were chosen based on their leadership potential and commitment to public service.
Over the two days, participants will engage in hands-on sessions with Members of Parliament, policy thinkers, and media experts on critical topics such as electoral strategies, governance systems, storytelling, and media outreach. UN Women India’s Country Representative a.i., Ms. Kanta Singh, underlined that empowering women in political spaces is key to building a Viksit Bharat. According to her, women leaders are not only transforming their communities but also influencing national policies that echo the collective voice of society.
SheLeads is an initiative by UN Women India designed to support and encourage women to participate in public and political life, especially ahead of the upcoming general and state elections. UN Women works globally to promote gender equality, ensure women’s rights, and empower women and girls by reshaping laws, institutions, and social norms that perpetuate inequality.
