Across rural India, the face of local governance is shifting.
For generations, women have been the backbone of families and communities, often without recognition or inclusion in decisions that shaped their lives.
This is beginning to change.
In Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, AKF has partnered with local civil society organizations to support elected women representatives across 60 Panchayats (village councils). Through leadership training, mentorship, and networking opportunities, these leaders have gained the knowledge, skills, confidence to become active participants in village governance. They are helping their communities address gender-based violence, access government services, create livelihood opportunities, and build a more inclusive future.
This story is part of the Advancing Gender Equality through Civil Society component of the Foundations for Health Empowerment (F4HE) program, supported by Global Affairs Canada. F4HE aims to improve the health and wellbeing, and enhance the equitable development and empowerment, of women, girls, their families, and their communities, in Afghanistan, India, Kyrgyz Republic, Pakistan, and Tajikistan.
