India, March 13 -- Every Women's Day, March 8, the conversation rightly revolves around equality and equity - or the lack of it. This year was no different. While our Constitution, with its emphasis on equality, prohibition of discriminatory practices, and mandate for pro-active measures to empower vulnerable sections, especially women, has undeniably fuelled progress, the pace of change remains agonisingly slow.

India now has over 1.4 million women elected at the grassroots. Thanks to the 73rd Amendment, at least a third of the roughly 250,000 gram panchayat leader positions are reserved for women, meaning there are at least 83,000 and more women sarpanches. The common idea prevails that their menfolk are the real decision-makers, not t...