Min: Women-centric panchayats to take shape in state soon

Patna: The panchayati raj department’s ‘Women Friendly Gram Panchayat’ initiative is emerging as a major effort to create safer, inclusive and gender-sensitive spaces for women and adolescent girls across rural Bihar. Implemented with technical support from the Centre for Catalyzing Change (C3), the campaign aims to strengthen women’s participation in local governance and grassroots decision-making.

Talking to reporters on Saturday, panchayati raj minister Deepak Prakash said the initiative was helping increase women’s participation in village governance through Panchayat Level Gender Forums, Mahila Gram Sabhas and partnerships with Jeevika self-help groups.

He said issues such as child marriage, girls’ education, nutrition, menstrual hygiene, social security and violence against women were now receiving greater attention at the Panchayat level.

As part of the programme, panchayats are developing women-centric facilities including toilets for women, Garima Kaksh, sanitary pad vending machines and breastfeeding rooms to ensure safer and more dignified public spaces.

The initiative is also promoting coordination between elected panchayat representatives and Jeevika groups to improve awareness and access to govt welfare schemes for women.

In Garhiya panchayat of East Champaran district, school dropout girls have been re-enrolled in schools. The panchayat has also introduced e-rickshaw services and installed streetlights in vulnerable areas to improve safety.

Similarly, Panchayats in Madhubani district have installed sanitary pad vending machines, incinerators and Garima Kaksh facilities, which officials say have helped improve school attendance and confidence among adolescent girls.

Breastfeeding rooms have also been established inside Panchayat buildings in five Panchayats across Patna, Muzaffarpur, Madhubani and East Champaran districts for pregnant and lactating women visiting the offices.

Deepak said the initiative was helping transform rural Bihar by empowering women, creating safer public spaces and strengthening inclusive grassroots governance.