The Conference of Panchayats (CoP) in Dharashiv is the first convening of its kind designed exclusively for women members of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), placing their voices, experiences, and leadership at the centre of climate action and local governance. Rooted in the realities of Dharashiv district in Maharashtra, one of the regions increasingly vulnerable to climate impacts, the convening recognises women PRI representatives as critical yet often overlooked actors in strengthening climate resilience at the local level.

Dharashiv continues to face recurring droughts, extreme heat, erratic rainfall, and flood events that are disrupting agriculture, water security, livelihoods, and local infrastructure. These climate stresses disproportionately affect women farmers and rural households, while also reinforcing the crucial role Panchayats play in preparedness, adaptation, and climate-responsive planning.

This district-level convening will bring together women PRI members from across Dharashiv, alongside representatives from Swayam Shikshan Prayog (SSP), Resource & Support Center for Development (RSCD), Waatavaran, and Asar, as well as members of the State Climate Action Cell (SCAC), district administration officials, and select civil society actors.

Envisioned as a 1.5-day convening, the Dharashiv COP will create both a listening space and a structured policy-and-action dialogue. The event will foreground the lived experiences and priorities of women PRI leaders, identify locally relevant pathways for climate adaptation and preparedness, and generate practical recommendations for engagement with district administration. The convening will also feature the launch of a report advocating for gender-responsive Early Warning Systems (EWS), followed by discussions with government officials on strengthening district-level preparedness and response systems.

Previous COPs in Maharashtra have been organised in Ambejogai (Beed), Nagpur, and Sudhagad (Raigad) with partners including MANAVLOK, YUVA Rural Association, Waatavaran Foundation, and Tata Institute of Social Sciences