CHENNAI: Women panchayat presidents participated in discussions about water resources and sanitation facilities at a seminar organised by the Ekta Resource Centre for Women here on Saturday. The event was held to mark the Women's Political Empowerment Day, observed by the Institute of Social Sciences, Delhi. Representatives of non-governmental organisations working for rural development and women ward members also participated. Participants were urged to form solidarity groups to find support and resources to meet challenges specific to being women presidents and to stand in the local bodies elections.

Speakers expressed concern that Dalit women, elected as panchayat presidents, were often unable to exercise their rightful powers. Several women were also made to stand for elections by their husbands who then took all the decisions. Effective use of sanitation facilities was advocated to reduce the number of diseases affecting a population. Speakers at the inaugural session included G. Palanithurai of the Gandhigram Rural Institute, A.K. Venkatasubramanian, former director of the Catalyst Trust, Bimla Chandrashekar, director, Ekta Resource Centre, and Saraswati Devi, consultant to Ekta.

Ms. Devi said issues of water and sanitation specifically affected women at personal levels. They usually had to fetch water for the family and tend to sick members. The Institute of Social Sciences, UNICEF and Water Aid provided support for the event.

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