New Delhi, Aug 7 (NationPress) Women’s leadership plays a vital role in propelling female development towards a Viksit Bharat, stated Union Minister for Women and Child Development Annapurna Devi during the inauguration of the second edition of UN Women’s flagship capacity-building initiative -- SheLeads II: Workshop for Women Leaders, held in New Delhi.

“Women’s leadership transcends mere representation; it is essential for fostering women-led development in our vision of a Viksit Bharat,” Devi emphasized.

“Programs like SheLeads are crucial for providing women with the necessary skills and connections to take on leadership roles, ensuring our developmental goals, including the 2030 SDGs and India’s Agenda 2040, are genuinely inclusive and reflective of diverse voices,” she continued.

SheLeads is a premier initiative by UN Women India Country Office, aimed at promoting gender equality in political and public leadership, supporting women leaders in participating in the upcoming Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections.

“Realizing the dream of a Viksit Bharat necessitates increased representation of women in politics. Women leaders act as catalysts for change within their communities and are vital in shaping policies and governance that meet the needs of all citizens,” remarked Kanta Singh, Country Representative a.i., UN Women India.

“SheLeads is our commitment to providing women with the platform, expertise, and networks to confidently assume these roles,” Singh noted.

The event convened grassroots women leaders, elected officials, and administrators from across the country to encourage dialogue, enhance political leadership skills, and boost women’s involvement in governance.

This two-day workshop, organized by UN Women India Country Office, arrives at a significant time, following the historic enactment of the Women’s Reservation Act, 2023, which mandates a 33 percent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies.

With only 14 percent of seats currently occupied by women in the 18th Lok Sabha, initiatives like SheLeads are essential for closing this representation gap.

This year, the workshop attracted over 260 applications from 22 states, more than doubling the response from its first edition in February. After a thorough selection process, 36 participants were chosen based on their experience, motivation, and future aspirations.