New York [US], India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ruchira Kamboj, highlighted the remarkable progress made by women in leadership within India's Panchayati Raj system, saying, "India prides itself on a unique system of rural governance called Known as Panchayati Raj – a symbol of decentralized power at the grassroots level, Kamboj said while speaking at India's #CPD57 side event, "Localisation of SDGs: Women leading the way in public administration in India." Highlighting the transformative impact of empowerment, Kamboj said that Panchayati Raj is an excellent example of direct democracy which facilitates active participation of all residents of the Panchayat. The unique aspect sets it apart from traditional municipal governance models found elsewhere in the world.Making it a model for promoting inclusive decision-making processes Highlighting India's commitment to gender equality, Kamboj said, "An important milestone was achieved with the constitutional amendment in 1992, which mandated Provides that at least one third of all elected roles in local governance be reserved for women." This constitutional provision was a historic step towards ensuring equitable representation of women in decision-making bodies at the grassroots level. Kamboj celebrated increasing women's representation to 50 per cent in 21 states of India, he said, "Today "Of the more than 3.1 million elected representatives, more than 14 lakh are women." This surge in women's participation reflects a broader societal shift towards recognizing and valuing women's contributions to governance and community development. As Kambo explained, the local planning process within the Panchayati Raj system has primarily been carefully linked with the localization of the Sustainable Development Goals. Focus on empowering women. “The impact of successful initiatives has been transformative,” he commented."By integrating gender considerations into development planning, the Panchayati Raj system ensures that women's needs and priorities are effectively addressed, leading to more inclusive and sustainable outcomes, thanks to the efforts of women leaders in breaking down traditional barriers. Appreciating the role they have played in bringing about a revolution in communities, women leaders in Panchayati Raj institutions have played a vital role in bringing about social and economic change. Recognizing the challenges faced by women in leadership, Kamboj stressed the need for stronger capacity building initiatives. A collaborative partnership to enhance.“India's experience provides invaluable insights and lessons on advancing and sustaining women's leadership,” she said, stressing the importance of creating an enabling environment for women in governance roles, “as we move forward Let us renew our dedication to promoting women's leadership." “Recognizing their transformative power in local governance, gender equality and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals,” Kamboj concluded, invoking the words of Mahatma Gandhi to underline the immense strength of women.