Union Minister Smt. Annpurna Devi inaugurates SheLeads II, UN Women’s flagship programme empowering grassroots women leaders in India.
Empowering Women for a Stronger Democracy
In a landmark move to strengthen women’s leadership in India, Union Women and Child Development Minister Smt. Annpurna Devi inaugurated the second edition of the SheLeads II: Workshop for Women Leaders in New Delhi on August 7, 2025.
Organized by the UN Women India Country Office, the two-day workshop aims to equip grassroots women leaders with the tools, knowledge, and networks needed to actively participate in governance and politics.
Why SheLeads Matters Now More Than Ever
The event follows the historic Women’s Reservation Act, 2023, which mandates 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies. Currently, only 14% of seats are held by women in the 18th Lok Sabha. This glaring gap makes initiatives like SheLeads II more relevant and urgent.
Minister Annpurna Devi, in her keynote, emphasized that women’s leadership is central to building a Viksit Bharat—a developed India led by inclusive governance.
“Women’s leadership is not just about numbers. It’s about leading India’s development agenda with compassion, inclusivity, and vision,” she said.
Growing Interest and Participation
This year, SheLeads saw an overwhelming response with 260+ applications from 22 states, a significant jump from its first edition in February. After a rigorous process, 36 dynamic women leaders were selected for their motivation, grassroots experience, and future aspirations.
These participants are now engaging with MPs, policy experts, and media strategists on crucial topics such as:
- Electoral campaigning
- Governance structures
- Narrative building
- Media engagement
Global Backing for Local Impact
Ms. May-Elin Stener, the Ambassador of Norway to India, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan, expressed Norway’s continued support for gender equality efforts. “We are proud to back SheLeads. These platforms translate policy into real change on the ground,” she noted.
This collaboration underscores the global commitment to women’s political empowerment in India.
Voices from the Frontline
Ms. Kanta Singh, UN Women India Country Representative (a.i.), highlighted that women leaders are critical changemakers in their communities. “They must shape the future of governance. SheLeads gives them the tools and voice to do so,” she said.
Workshops like SheLeads not only foster political ambition but also prepare women to navigate real-world political landscapes with confidence.
About SheLeads
SheLeads is a flagship initiative of the UN Women India Country Office to promote gender equality in public and political leadership. The program provides capacity-building to women interested in contesting upcoming Lok Sabha and Assembly elections.
Its mission is simple yet powerful: Enable more women to lead from the front and ensure governance that reflects every citizen’s aspirations.
UN Women is the UN’s lead agency on gender equality and women’s empowerment. It works globally to reform laws, transform institutions, and change social norms. In India, its programmes like SheLeads are critical to bridging the gender gap in leadership.
The Road Ahead: Towards a Viksit Bharat
As India charts its path toward 2030 SDGs and Agenda 2040, women’s leadership will play a transformative role. More inclusive governance means better outcomes for all—health, education, climate, and economy.
Initiatives like SheLeads II remind us that a Viksit Bharat must be a women-led Bharat.