From Grassroots to Governance:
The Impact of Women Leaders in Odisha
“Isn’t it time we recognize that when women lead, they not only take
control of their lives but also transform the entire community? That’s
exactly what we felt when 50 of us came together to discuss our lives—the
realization that no one else can truly understand or prioritize our issues
like we can.”
– Manju Prabha Barla
In the heart of Sundargarh
district, a quiet revolution is
taking place, led by women like
Manju Prabha Barla, a 42-yearold URMI leader. Manju’s
journey from a dedicated
volunteer with Mahila Sangram
Samiti to a beacon of grassroots
leadership is a testament to the
transformative power of women’s
voices in local governance.
On June 26, 2024, something remarkable happened in Odisha. Across the state, more than 85% of Mahila (women’s) Grama Sabhas successfully convened, a feat that was unimaginable just a few years ago. ese gatherings weren’t just meetings—they were moments of change, where women came together to discuss their lives, their communities, and their future.
Despite the 50% reservation for women in Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), the road to active participation has been steep. Women often find their roles limited by traditional gender norms and the influence of men in local governance. Yet, as of 2023, over 1.3 million women hold elected positions in PRIs, making up nearly 46% of all members. But numbers alone don’t tell the story. True participation comes when women like Manju lead the way, ensuring that their voices are heard and their needs are prioritized.
Manju and her fellow URMI leaders understood that for women’s voices to truly matter, they needed to create spaces where those voices could be amplified. rough initiatives like the “DUS Ka Dum” (Power of ten) campaign, they did just that—mobilizing women across 12,235 villages in 17 districts to participate in these special Gram Sabhas.
e significance of these Mahila Gram Sabhas goes beyond mere participation. A study by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj in 2018 found that development projects initiated through Gram Sabhas had a higher success rate and greater community satisfaction because they directly addressed the specific needs of the community. For example, in Odisha, over 60% of the water and sanitation projects approved in Gram Sabhas were directly linked to issues identified by women participants.
Manju’s leadership, and the collective power of the women she inspires, are building a new kind of governance in Odisha. In over 1,000 villages, this approach is transforming local governance, making it more responsive, more inclusive, and more effective.
On June 26, 2024, something remarkable happened in Odisha. Across the state, more than 85% of Mahila (women’s) Grama Sabhas successfully convened, a feat that was unimaginable just a few years ago. ese gatherings weren’t just meetings—they were moments of change, where women came together to discuss their lives, their communities, and their future.
Despite the 50% reservation for women in Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), the road to active participation has been steep. Women often find their roles limited by traditional gender norms and the influence of men in local governance. Yet, as of 2023, over 1.3 million women hold elected positions in PRIs, making up nearly 46% of all members. But numbers alone don’t tell the story. True participation comes when women like Manju lead the way, ensuring that their voices are heard and their needs are prioritized.
Manju and her fellow URMI leaders understood that for women’s voices to truly matter, they needed to create spaces where those voices could be amplified. rough initiatives like the “DUS Ka Dum” (Power of ten) campaign, they did just that—mobilizing women across 12,235 villages in 17 districts to participate in these special Gram Sabhas.
e significance of these Mahila Gram Sabhas goes beyond mere participation. A study by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj in 2018 found that development projects initiated through Gram Sabhas had a higher success rate and greater community satisfaction because they directly addressed the specific needs of the community. For example, in Odisha, over 60% of the water and sanitation projects approved in Gram Sabhas were directly linked to issues identified by women participants.
Manju’s leadership, and the collective power of the women she inspires, are building a new kind of governance in Odisha. In over 1,000 villages, this approach is transforming local governance, making it more responsive, more inclusive, and more effective.