Scholarly Research Journal for Humanity Science & English Language, Online ISSN 2348-3083, SJ IMPACT FACTOR 2025: 8.326, https://www.srjis.com/issues_data/265 PEER REVIEWED, REFEREED & INDEXED JOURNAL, JUNE-JULY 2025, VOL-13/70 https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.16932873 Copyright@2025 Scholarly Research Journal for Humanity Science & English Language WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP AND DEVELOPMENT IN RURAL HIMACHAL PRADESH Dr. Suman Kumari HoD, Department of Education, MLSM PG College, Sundernagar, H.P. Prof. Sudarshana Rana ((Retd.) Department of Education, H.P. University, Shimla-5 Ms. Reeta Kumari Research Scholar, Department of Education, H.P. University, Shimla-5 Paper Received On: 21 June 2025 Peer Reviewed On: 25 July 2025 Published On: 01 August 2025 In this paper an attempt has been made to study the women’s leadership and development in rural Himachal Pradesh. In rural areas the presence of women in leadership roles promotes sustainable development and inclusive growth. Although women face obstacles in decision-making and leadership, rural women in Himachal Pradesh make substantial contribution to agriculture, local economy and governance. Himachal Pradesh is one of the state which implemented many policies to enhance leadership role of women such as 50% reservation in Panchayati Raj Institutions. However, the question remains whether these provisions actually enhancing the role of women in leadership at rural areas. The present paper aims to assess the participation of women in leadership roles, within rural governance, to study the impact of government initiatives to promoting women’s leadership roles. Keywords: Women in leadership, Sustainable development, Inclusive growth, Panchayati Raj Institutions. Introduction The advancement of women in the world is intimately related to the country’s progress. Just 25 years ago, there was a lot of evidence of gender discriminations in the jobs, in homes, and even in the high education. Women had to overcome these obstacles and pursue possibilities that would place them on an equal basis with man. The realization of human wants and ambitions is the primary goal of progress. There are many barriers such as food, clothing, Abstract