The second edition of the SheLeads workshop was inaugurated in New Delhi on August, 2025, as a capacity-building program for aspiring women leaders in India. Organized by UN Women India, the event was inaugurated by the Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Annpurna Devi.
Key details about the event include
- Inauguration by Union Minister: Annpurna Devi, Union Minister for Women and Child Development, inaugurated the two-day workshop. In her address, she emphasized that women’s leadership is critical for achieving a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India), stating, “It is central to achieving women-led development”.
- Context of the Women’s Reservation Act: The workshop is particularly relevant following the Women’s Reservation Act, 2023, which reserves 33% of seats for women in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies. The program aims to bridge the gap in representation, as women currently hold a smaller percentage of seats.
- Participants: For the second edition, 36 women leaders from 22 states were selected from a pool of over 260 applicants. The participants included grassroots women leaders, elected representatives, and administrators.
- Workshop focus: The two-day session covered vital topics such as electoral strategies, governance, public speaking, and media engagement. It featured interactive sessions with policy experts and members of parliament.
- Support for upcoming elections: A key objective of the SheLeads program is to equip and prepare women to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections.
- Third cohort announced: Following the second edition, UN Women India announced the call for applications for its third SheLeads cohort, with a deadline of October 20, 2025.
PRACTICE QUESTIONS
Which of the following best describes the significance of the SheLeads initiative, particularly in the context of the Women’s Reservation Act, 2023?
a) To ensure that all women in India are trained for political office
b) To equip women with leadership skills and networks to effectively participate in political leadership, addressing the low representation even after the Act was passed
c) To replace traditional political training methods with modern, workshop-based approaches
d) To provide financial aid to women contesting elections
Answer: b
Explanation: Correct statement is- To equip women with leadership skills and networks to effectively participate in political leadership, addressing the low representation even after the Act was passed.
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