Patna: The Bihar Planning and Development Department, with technical support from UNICEF, organised a two-day capacity-building workshop for officials from 13 aspirational districts, focusing on gender equality, child rights and social and behaviour change in district development planning.
The workshop, held on September 28 and 29 at Hotel The Panache in Patna, was themed “Accelerating SDGs: Aspirational District Action for Gender Equality through Child Rights and Social & Behaviour Change Approaches.”
The programme aimed to strengthen the capacity of district officials to incorporate gender equality, child rights and social and behaviour change into development priorities and prepare data-driven, coordinated and outcome-oriented action plans.
Focus On SDGs And Aspirational District Indicators
During the two-day workshop, participants discussed the relationship between key indicators under the Aspirational District Programme (ADP) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The sessions covered gender equality and child rights across sectors including health and nutrition, education, agriculture and water resources, infrastructure, financial inclusion and skill development.
Officials examined challenges faced by women and children in these areas and discussed possible solutions based on district-level data and local requirements.
Emphasis On Departmental Coordination
The workshop highlighted that gender equality is not the responsibility of a single department and requires coordination among departments along with active participation from district administrations.
Participants also discussed the importance of addressing social norms and behaviours that can affect women’s and children’s access to education, healthcare, nutrition and economic opportunities.
District Officials Prepare Action Plans
Officials took part in practical exercises to identify major gender-related challenges in their respective districts, review available data and analyse the underlying causes of those challenges.
The exercises focused on developing district-specific action plans based on local priorities.
The proposed plans included priority indicators, departmental responsibilities, time-bound targets, inter-departmental coordination mechanisms and regular review arrangements.
Social And Behaviour Change Approach
The workshop also focused on Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) as a tool for achieving sustained improvements in communities.
Issues including child marriage, girls’ education, women’s participation in decision-making and nutrition were discussed from the perspective of community and behavioural change.
The sessions stressed the role of families, communities and local institutions alongside government departments in supporting long-term social change.
Focus On 2030 Development Goals
The workshop provided officials from Bihar’s aspirational districts with an opportunity to examine development challenges through the perspectives of gender equality and child rights.
The programme emphasised that achieving SDG 5 on gender equality and other targets under the 2030 development agenda requires data-based district planning, effective departmental coordination, community participation and regular monitoring.
The Bihar Planning and Development Department and UNICEF emphasised translating the workshop’s learning into practical district-level action to improve outcomes for women and children and support inclusive and sustainable development.
