Balika Panchayats: Good Governance And Personal Gaps

My co-fellow Sananda has already given an introduction regarding what Balika Panchayats are all about. You may choose to read a detailed article here. We both work in the Kutch civil society ecosystem which is vibrant and headquartered in Bhuj. Here I am sharing my personal insights and experiences, which have been rather positive, at least in the periphery of governance. I shall be highlighting the personal gaps later in the blog.

A Novel Concept

Balika Panchayats are a novel concept, first mandated in 2024 by the Govt. of Gujarat. And my organization, SETU Abhiyan, has done something novel, too. For the first time, a number of Balika Panchayats were provided untied funds, and asked to create proposals for the utilization of said funds. A Balika Panchayat seminar was also organized, where these young girls presented their proposals, in the presence of senior officials from various line departments, such as the Woman And Child Welfare Department, members of other NGOs, and Sarpanches. These activities included both low-cost and no-cost activities. Some of these Balika Panchayats also received funds from their respective Panchayats.

While there are discrepancies across the district in how Balika Panchayats have been performing, there are girls from various Panchayats doing incredible work. They have not only played an active role in raising the issues of adolescent girls, but in addressing issues of women that of the panchayat as well.

Fund Utilization Ideas

For instance, members of certain Balika Panchayats of Kutch presented in the seminar the various activities they would undertake with the funds. These included –

1. Addressing issues of child marriage by discussing the same with their families in particular and the overall community in general.
2. Discussing and encouraging young girls to further continue their education, especially after dropouts. This was done by collaborating with schools, its teachers, and with the adolescent girls.
3. Establishing a helpline centre, in order to resolve queries of young girls, ranging from health, education, and so on.                                                                                                                                                                                                   
4. An event to facilitate young girls for their efforts, especially in the field of education.
5. Distribution of sanitary napkins to young girls in their respective wards
6. Initiating a karate class for young girls for self defence
7. Establishing a dedicated Balika Panchayat office

Balikas And The Gram Panchayat

That is not all. Members of Balika Panchayats have also addressed issues of governance at the village levels as well. They have assisted Gram Panchayats in measuring and defining the parameters for pasture land, in creating awareness regarding wastewater management and water conservation, and for tree plantation as well, among others.

Some members of Balika Panchayats have not only completed their studies while playing an active role in the community, but have also expressed their ambitions of entering the political sphere and are hopeful in creating an inclusive future for all.

Personal Gaps

My visit to the village of Kharai in the Lakhpat block of Kutch presented a different scenario. These young girls, members of a Balika Panchayat, have been attending Gram Sabha meetings regularly. When asked what their dream career would be, they couldn’t even share their dream with me. Similarly, my recent visit to a mela introduced me to certain young girls who couldn’t wrap their head around the fact that I had come all the way from a place like Meghalaya to Bhuj.

“Our parents don’t allow us to go anywhere” – a theme echoed by Balika Panchayat girls of Khavda region.

The same region of Kodki that boasts of several active Balika Panchayats, also hosts adolescent girls for whom their position as members of Balika Panchayat(s) is a mere placeholder in their lives, till the time they get married and sent off to do household chores. Girls from certain Balika Panchayats have dropped out of school themselves. In one such village of Natharkui, the girl shyly admitted to me that she is a dropout herself. When asked if she would like to continue her education, she replied with a “yes, of course!” But the distance to her school, and lack of transportation facilities, acts as an obstacle in an ambition that is supposed to be a basic right for many: a school education.

One of the very famous weavings of Kutch has been practiced by young girls and women for decades now. While now popularized as part of craft and tourism in the region, such hobbies have been undertaken by young girls as part of traditional practice before getting married. The young girls of Khavda have been doing the same for instance. The same is a reality, and future for many.

Sensitization And Exposure

Certain members of Balika Panchayats have also had the opportunity of holding different ministerial posts for a day. This as part of their exposure visit to the Vidhan Sabha. Such exposure visits create a space for young girls to experience a life beyond societal expectations and limitations. They are encouraged to let their ambitions run free. Most of all, it provides the young girls a glimpse into a different kind of life that they may aspire to strive for.

One can hope that the changes we have been seeing for the Balika Panchayats doing well for themselves can act as a model for other Balika Panchayats, through exposure visits to such Panchayats. The community, especially the family members also need to be sensitized. These young girls, who can very well emerge as future leaders of governance, must be find in themselves the courage to be.