Nirbhay Raho Initiative: Panchayati Raj Training of Trainers
Why in the news
The Panchayati Raj Ministry began rolling out its Nirbhay Raho Initiative with a three-day national training of trainers in Delhi, centred on laws that protect women.
Key facts
- Nodal ministry: Ministry of Panchayati Raj.
- Nature: a countrywide programme on gender-responsive governance and local capacity building.
- Funding: the non-lapsable Nirbhaya Fund.
- Event: three-day National ToT in New Delhi.
Aims
- End discrimination and violence against women at the grassroots.
- Build inclusive, women-friendly Panchayats.
- Equip village leaders with legal awareness so they can be first responders for women’s safety.
The three pillars
| Pillar | Who it targets | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Nirbhay Netri | About 14.5 lakh Elected Women Representatives | Legal literacy, leadership and tackling local safety problems |
| Nirbhay Chetna | About 17.5 lakh male elected representatives | Awareness-building, shedding patriarchal bias, joining equality drives |
| Nirbhay Drishti | Village infrastructure | CCTV cameras and monitoring at key rural locations |
Background
- The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992 made PRIs the third tier of government.
- It reserves at least one-third of seats for women at Gram, Block and Zilla levels and in the office of Chairperson at each tier.
- Many states raised reservation to 50%, including Bihar, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Rajasthan and Uttarakhand among others.
- About 46% of elected PRI members are women, among the highest shares worldwide, making Panchayats a natural base for women’s safety work.
Exam angle
- Nodal ministry: Panchayati Raj; fund: Nirbhaya Fund.
- Pillars: Netri, Chetna, Drishti.
- Related terms: 73rd Amendment, one-third reservation, first responders.