Joint secretary reviews gender initiatives, highlights community-led empowerment

Staff reporter

Guwahati: In a significant move to assess the progress of gender-focused interventions under the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM), Smriti Sharan, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, visited the Naari Xuraksha Kokh (NXK) at Chandrapur Block in Kamrup (R) and the Gender Resource Centre (GRC) in Mayong Block of Morigaon district, Assam.

Sharan was accompanied by Sunandita Banerjee, Consultant with the National Mission Management Unit (NMMU), DAY-NRLM. The visit aimed to engage with the rural community, review grassroots initiatives, and observe first-hand the outcomes of gender-responsive rural development.

During the field visit, the Joint Secretary interacted with GRC Steering Committee members, Cluster Level Federation’s Social Action Committee (CLF SAC) members, community cadres, and officials from various line departments. The team also visited the CLF office and an exhibition of products developed by Self Help Group (SHG) members. The showcased items reflected the creativity, skill, and entrepreneurial drive of women from the region.

GRC members shared their lived experiences, highlighting personal and collective achievements made possible through sustained support and structured interventions. Several success stories presented during the interaction revealed how community-led gender programmes are driving social transformation in rural Assam. The visit concluded with a reaffirmation of the Ministry’s commitment to strengthening gender mechanisms under NRLM and promoting inclusive, participatory, and community-driven rural development.

Also Read: Self Help Groups’ mask move from four NE States under Ministry of NRLM

Also Watch: