Balika Panchayat Initiative

Context

India’s first-ever girl Panchayat, called “Balika Panchayat”, was started in several villages of Kutch district in Gujarat.

Background

• Last year, Kunariya village of Kutch district had come up with a unique idea to hold Balika Panchayat. 
• First-ever elections of the Balika Panchayat were held successfully. 
• It was inspired by the TV series, Balika Vadhu and rolled with the aim of developing leadership qualities among girls for Future Panchayat polls. 
• Young females aged between 10 to 21 years contested elections for this unique Panchayat which will take up issues pertaining to adolescent girls and women in the village.
• The Panchayat has started in Kunaria, Maska, Motagua, and Vadsar villages of the Kutch district.
• The Women and Child Development Ministry is planning to start a girl panchayat across India.
  

Objectives

• The initiative aims to promote the social and political development of the girls and ensure their active participation in politics. 
• This initiative has been taken by the Women and Child Development Welfare Department of the Gujarat Government under the 'Beti Bachao Beti Padhao' campaign.
• It also seeks to remove evil practices like child marriage and dowry system from society. 
• It aims for girls to get their nominations done in decision-making process in Panchayat.
• It seeks to make girls active in politics from childhood.