The State Election Commission plans to undertake a statewide programme for capability building and skills enhancement of elected women representatives in local self government bodies like gram panchayats and zilla parishads. The State Election commission mentors the conduct of this programme which focuses on strong and effective women's representation at the local level.This will steadily cover all the local self-government bodies and zilla parishads in the state.

Thanks to the vision of our Maharashtra State Election Commissioner Madam Nila Satyanarayan, Ryan Foundation in collaboration with Symbiosis Institute of Business Management (SIBM) conducted a 4 days workshop from 19th to 22nd April 2010 for the currently elected women councilors of Seloo in Wardha District.Upon successful completion,this programme will be slowly spread across the complete state of Maharashtra.

The objective is to ensure that the councilors are fully aware of their responsibilities,duties and rights that have been bestowed upon them by statute.The training will be conducted in least amount of paper work and in a manner, which the councilors can relate to easily.Laws governing the  gram-panchayats will be explained through stories and songs,simple game will be conducted for understanding of budget and other financial requirements. Personality development and leadership qualities will be the main focus of this programme.

Madam Nila Satyanarayan herself addressed the women councilors personally on 19th April to share her experience to inspire them. The Managing Director of the Ryan Foundation, Madam Grace Pinto was present to inaugurate this unique empowerment programme. Around 100 women councilors attended this training which includes 17 sarpanchas  and 5 Dy.Sarpanchas.

The training also talked about the success stories of women in villages and overall personality development of women.The programme brought awareness in women representatives about their roles, functions, duties, responsibilities and authority. Also, the programme is a step ahead to encourage women's participation in the process of local development.Each district in the state would have a separate programme considering the social, economical and geographical whereabouts as well as the local problems.Consideration was given to the educational background and social standing of the women representatives.

Madam Grace Pinto said "It is critical to ensure that women councilors are empowered through education which can facilitate well informed and effective decisions for the welfare of the community. It was so encouraging and enlightening to meet the women councilors and understand their commitment to community service.We specially appreciate the wonderful work done by the Self-Help groups of the district. As Ryan Foundation, we are extremely glad to be sharing this vision with the Maharashtra State Election Commissioner Madam Nila Satyanarayan and look forward for the successful completion of this programme all across the state of Maharashtra.It will be first-of-its-kind initiative in the country which aims at strengthening the governing competencies in women leaders"