ISD | She Represents

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She Represents 2026 is a 7-day leadership program designed for 50 local women elected representatives from across India, brought together through a thoughtful and inclusive selection process. The program brings together elected women from both rural and urban areas, including those serving under the Panchayats Extension to Scheduled Areas (PESA) governance. It is a step towards nurturing and strengthening the leadership of women representatives as India moves toward implementing the Women’s Reservation Act.

Program Dates: 27 June - 03 July 2026 (Delhi)

Selected participants will travel to Delhi and stay together at a residential venue for the duration of the program.

The primary language used for facilitation would be Hindi and English.

Why apply to She Represents?

Gain concrete political knowledge and practical leadership skills

Build governance skills, including negotiating with the bureaucracy

Interact with and learn from senior politicians and experienced bureaucrats

Receive personalized mentoring and guidance

Become part of a growing community of women leaders across India

Highlights of
She Represents 2026

She Represents 2026 was the seventh edition of the program. It was held in Delhi from 27 June to 3 July 2026 and brought together 47 elected women representatives from across India. They included sarpanches, block development members, and zilla parishad representatives from Panchayati Raj institutions.

Over seven days, the program gave these women leaders a space to reflect, recharge, and grow. They built self-awareness, sharpened their political imagination, and gained the confidence to lead in public life. The sessions covered personal leadership, gender and power in politics, and governance as a way to mobilise communities. Participants also talked about the barriers women face in politics and formed strong connections with one another.

A key highlight was the support network that grew among the participants. The sense of solidarity and shared strength will help them keep going on their journeys in public and political life.

Program Highlights

Political knowledge & skills

Build a strong understanding of the Indian political system, political ideologies
Build expertise in a variety of political skills like narrative building, community mobilisation, etc.
Sharpen your media and public speaking skills
Learn about constitution and its relevance in your work

Community

Be part of a community of elected women representatives from across the country
Connect with experts and senior leaders from various parties and regions
Integrate with the larger ISD alumni ecosystem which consists of local representatives and position holders in various parties

Governance

Understand overview of urban and rural local governance
Learn how to negotiate with government officials and get the work done
Learn from senior bureaucrats and governance experts
Improve your planning and other practical skills relevant for daily governance work

Inner Work and Leadership

Engage in contemplative activities aimed at cultivating self-awareness to attain inner clarity

Get exposure to identify biases and perspectives
Identify limiting and enabling powers within the self
Engage with questions of political ethics, and articulate your moral compass

Who is it for?

50 female participants | Age 21 - 50 years

Are you a local elected woman representative?

Are you passionate about bringing change at the your local community?

If yes, we invite you to apply for She Represents.

We value the diversity in our country and encourage women from different political, religious, cultural, class, caste, economic and regional backgrounds to apply.

We are looking for women with demonstrated evidence of public service and women who are elected representatives.

Preferred Profiles

Ward Member
Panchayat President / Sarpanch
ZP Member
Municipal Councillor
District Council Member
BDC Member
Town Council Member
Others

Anyone who is currently in an elected position or has been in a position of elected representative in the past can apply for this program. Age limit - 21 to 50 years.

Application Process

Step 1: You will fill a short application form. This will include some demographic questions, a video question (optional) and some subjective questions to help us understand your journey better.

Step 2: If shortlisted, we will invite you for a virtual interview

Step 3: Based on the shortlisting, we will create a cohort of 50 elected women representatives and hold an induction call with them (pre-program induction call).

Program Dates: 27 June - 03 July 2026

(In-person in Don Bosco, Delhi)

Speakers of She Represents 2024

Alka Lamba

President - All India Mahila Congress

Bandana Kumari

MLA Shalimar Bagh, Aam Aadmi Party

Accountability Initiative

Centre for Policy Research

Scholarship

There will be scholarships of 100% for all the participants

The approximate base cost per participant for She Represents is 30,000 INR. But we believe that financial barriers should not prevent women from participating in our program.

We invite participants to contribute as per their capacity and look at it as an investment in your own self and your political future.

We are committed to bring more women in the political sphere by providing opportunities to women from all socio-economic backgrounds.

Please do not let finances be the barrier for your application.