Advancing Gender-Equitable Governance
(PDAG)

About The Project

Advancing Gender-Equitable Governance:
A Collaborative Initiative by Manthan Yuva Sansthan & PDAG

At Manthan Yuva Sansthan, we believe in the transformative power of women’s leadership, especially among marginalized communities. Our latest collaboration with Policy & Development Advisory Group (PDAG) marks a significant step towards fostering gender-equitable governance in Maharashtra and Jharkhand. Here is an overview of our project, its objectives, and the responsibilities undertaken by both partner organizations.

On 12.06.2025, a workshop was organized in Nagar Untari block of Garhwa district in which identified Panchayat representatives of the district and Ekta, Mamta, Neha, and Rahul of PDAG and Vijay Pandey, Kaushal Kishore and Ramkishun Ram of Manthan Yuva Sansthan were present.

The main objective of this project is :

The core objective of this initiative is to advance gender-equitable governance by:

  • Generating actionable insights to inform and inspire relevant stakeholders.
  • Building institutional capacities to nurture and support women’s political leadership.
  • Focusing on marginalized communities, with an emphasis on elected women representatives in Maharashtra and Jharkhand.

This partnership aims to bridge the gap between research and actionable change, empowering women leaders to participate more meaningfully in governance and decision-making.

Key Activities

Our collaborative efforts will encompass:

  • Joint Consultations & Workshops.
  • Interactive sessions focusing on practical challenges and solutions
  • Cross-learning opportunities for elected representatives and community leaders
  • Publishing Knowledge Products
  • In-depth reports, case studies, and toolkits on gender-responsive governance.
  • Evidence-based briefs highlighting barriers, enablers, and the importance of intersectionality in local leadership.
  • Policy Engagement & Advocacy
  • Advocacy campaigns to raise awareness and drive policy reform for women’s participation
  • Scoping Research & Evidence Building
  • Ground-level research to identify priorities and design relevant interventions.
  • Learning engagements for sharing best practices and success stories.

Focus Areas

  • Gender-Responsive Governance
  • Barriers & Enablers to Women’s Leadership
  • Intersectionality in Local Governance

Why This Matters

Empowering women in politics is not just about numbers—it is about enabling meaningful participation, breaking systemic barriers, and fostering equitable growth. Through this project, we aim to:

  • Strengthen the voice and agency of women from marginalized backgrounds
  • Create knowledge resources that benefit diverse stakeholders
  • Drive sustainable, inclusive change in local governance systems

Together, we are paving the way for stronger, more inclusive governance where women leaders can thrive and inspire the next generation.