Many elected women representatives at the Panchayat level face constraints in fully participating in governance and decision-making despite holding formal roles. WELEAD addressed this by strengthening leadership capacity and enabling more active engagement in decision-making processes. During 2023-2024, the initiative was implemented across Assam, Telangana, Goa, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka. The program brought together regional stakeholders to support women-led governance.

Key Interventions & Impact
● Undertook a feasibility study by an all-women expert team to assess ground realities
● Reviewed local governance systems and identified gaps in women’s leadership participation
● Developed recommendations to strengthen the effectiveness of elected women representatives
● Engaged 600 elected women representatives, 120 civil society organisations, and 600 SHGs
● Reached approximately 24,000 people across rural communities

Strengthening Women’s Leadership in Governance
Taken together, these efforts improved how women representatives navigate governance systems. With better understanding and support, participation became more active and informed at the local level to avoid proxy.