The state’s first woman election commissioner Neela Satyanarayan on Saturday announced an initiative to impart special training to women representatives in local self-government. Addressing reporters at Yashwantrao Chavan Academy of Development Administration (YASHADA) here, she said, “There is a need for elected women representatives to understand duties and rights better and such a training programme is necessary.”

The course will be designed with the help of YASHADA, Akhil Bharatiya Sthanik Swarajya Sanstha, Yashaswini and Symbiosis College.

With women’s representation in local self-government likely to increase from the current 30 per cent to 50, understanding duties and powers is essential, she added.

The training module will cover women and child development, health, tribal welfare, malnourishment, rainwater harvesting and effective implementation of the Panchayati Raj Act.