Gram Panchayat plays an important role in the development of the rural areas of India. From solving the minor disputes to providing the basic facilities in the village, Gram Panchayat has a lot of work to look after. Since the society is patriarchal in the rural areas, women are considered too weak to handle the responsibilities of being a sarpanch (head of Panchayat). However, there are many female sarpanches who rose against all odds and now bringing a change in the rural society. Today we have brought you some of the famous female sarpanches who are the iconoclasts against the patriarchal mindset.
1. Radha Devi, Rajasthan
There are many villages in Rajasthan that are struggling with the literacy rate. Women education is also one of the prime issues there. After becoming the sarpanch of Bhadsiya village, Radha countered these issues. She improved the enrollment rate and reduced the rate of dropouts.
2. Meena Behan, Gujarat
Meena Behen is from the Vyara District of Gujarat. In her villages, the women were not allowed to come out of their houses or talk to other men. Meena decided to bring a change to this and she got success in it. She became the first female sarpanch from her village. She gave women the needed opportunity to prove themselves and her efforts brought a positive change in the society.
3. Arati Devi, Odisha
Arati Devi had a well-paying job. She used to work as an investment banker. She left the job to bring a change in the society. Arati became the sarpanch of Dhunkapara in Odisha.
4. Chhavi Rajawat, Rajasthan
Chhavi is the sarpanch of Soda village in Rajasthan. Being highly educated, she does know the value of education. Hence, her prime focus is on promoting education. Back in 2011, the UN’s Info-Poverty World conference made her the figure of women empowerment.
