Uttar Pradesh boasts 14 women district magistrates, with Bahraich standing out for its all-female administration. These women leaders are driving initiatives such as pink auto-rickshaws and feeding rooms, focusing on woman-centric measures.
If Jaipur is India’s pink city, then Bahraich in Uttar Pradesh is the pink district—not for its blushing buildings but for its bold, all-women-led administration. From the District Magistrate (DM) and Superintendent of Police (SP) to the Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) and City Magistrate, Bahraich’s leadership is dedicated to initiatives like pink auto-rickshaws and self-help groups, earning recognition for empowering women. But does this signify a broader trend of breaking the glass ceiling for women IAS officers across districts?
Nationally, 126 women hold the influential post of DM out of 774 districts. Tamil Nadu, an industrial powerhouse with nearly half of India’s female factory workers, leads with women DMs in almost 40 percent (15 out of 38) of its districts.
However, Uttar Pradesh, where women have traditionally been less visible in the public sphere, is making significant strides, at least in terms of absolute numbers. The state currently has 14 women DMs across its 75 districts, up from 12 in 2022—an increase from 16 percent to nearly 18 percent.
Bahraich is the highlight, but other UP districts with women DMs are also progressing. For instance, Hapur has both a woman DM and an additional DM. Their focus is on ensuring that women-related schemes reach their intended recipients, according to IAS officer Prerna Sharma, who took over as Hapur DM in February 2023.
In Auraiya, the first major initiative under a woman DM and SP in 2023 was to establish breastfeeding cubicles in every tehsil to support working mothers. The administration has launched several initiatives for women, especially the destitute. These include a new Asha Jyoti Kendra for women’s welfare and a One Stop Centre to assist survivors of gender-based violence. The administration is also working with the police to provide better legal assistance for women.
“Besides doing our duty as officers, being women, we always have a sensitive and emotional attachment towards women and children, and we always try to work for their upliftment,” said Neha Prakash, DM of Auraiya.
Several women DMs hinted that they had an advantage over their male counterparts, not just because of their gender-sensitive perspectives but also their drive.
“There is no difference in the working pattern of an officer, but I think women officers are more hardworking because they always have pressure to prove themselves,” said Hapur DM Sharma. “Women are always more vocal and open to other women officers.”
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