Women Leaders Propel Change in Rural Livelihoods at Gender Samvaad
The Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana–National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), in partnership with the Institute for What Works to Advance Gender Equality (IWWAGE), recently hosted the seventh edition of Gender Samvaad. The event, themed “Participation to Leadership: Enhancing Women’s Agency in Livelihoods,” brought together over 600,000 stakeholders from across India, including SHG women, policymakers, and gender experts. This platform facilitated rich discussions on boosting women’s engagement, leadership, and decision-making in rural economic initiatives.
Keynote Address by Rural Development Secretary
In a keynote address, Shri Rohit Kansal, Secretary of the Ministry of Rural Development, reflected on the significant growth of Gender Samvaad, which started with just 1,400 participants in April 2021. He noted this increase signifies the rising voice and influence of women in rural affairs. Kansal praised the self-help group (SHG) movement, highlighting over 100 million women as a powerful example of leadership and unity.
Kansal emphasized state-led innovations, mentioning initiatives like Maharashtra’s Women Farmers’ Empowerment Bill and Odisha’s Bhubaneswar Declaration, aimed at enhancing women’s land rights and representation. He also pointed out that more than 3.46 million Lakhpati Didis are earning above ₹1 lakh annually, further boosting women’s economic empowerment. He concluded by stressing the need for widespread adaptation of such initiatives to establish a prosperous Viksit Bharat.
Encouraging Women’s Economic Growth
Joint Secretary Amit Shukla elaborated on the evolution of gender integration under DAY-NRLM. He discussed the various initiatives that have strengthened gender considerations in program design, including the Gender Advisory and the Annual National Gender Campaign, Nayi Chetna. Shukla highlighted the necessity of enhancing governance in women’s economic institutions and preparing them for upcoming challenges, especially as we approach the UN International Year of Women Farmers in 2026.
Smt. Swati Sharma, another Joint Secretary in the Ministry, spoke on the ongoing National Campaign on Entrepreneurship-II, aimed at bolstering entrepreneurship among SHG women. She emphasized the critical role of collectivization in enhancing women’s economic power and called for a collaborative approach among various sectors to integrate gender into livelihood strategies.
Empowering Stories from Women Leaders
Throughout the dialogue, numerous speakers shared insights and personal success stories. For instance, Smt. Niharika Bhuyan from Assam recounted her journey from SHG member to leader in a women-led Farmers’ Producer Company (FPC), showing how collective support transformed her economic involvement. Smt. Kirti Tai Deshmukh from Maharashtra illustrated her transition from being a homemaker to a thriving entrepreneur, attributing her success to SHG training and government backing.
Advancing Gender Equality in Rural Livelihoods
The Seventh Gender Samvaad not only showcased the contributions of women in farming but also reaffirmed the importance of gender equality as a catalyst for economic empowerment and inclusive rural development. Launched in April 2021, the initiative by DAY-NRLM and IWWAGE has matured into a vital national platform for exchanging knowledge and fostering policy dialogue, aiming to further the cause of women in agriculture.
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