Haryana’s Lado Panchayat, born out of a movement in 2012, provides a platform for women to voice their concerns, challenge patriarchal norms and fight for gender equality and empowerment.
A sluggish afternoon unfolded in Hisar, Haryana, with nearly 100 women gathered on a Google Meet call to discuss a hot-button topic: the legal age for girls to marry.
The current law sets the minimum age at 18, but these young women are advocating for it to be raised to 21 — a move with deep implications in Haryana, where early marriage is still a common practice, and its consequences all too familiar.
The women participating, many from remote villages, spoke with clarity and confidence about an issue that directly impacts their lives. This is the heart of the Lado Panchayat — a platform exclusively for women, where they can speak freely and make decisions about their lives without the overshadowing presence of male authority figures.
Traditionally, male-dominated panchayats in Haryana — often referred to as khap — have been notorious for their conservative stands on women’s issues.
As the virtual meeting began, there was a palpable sense of anticipation. The women, hailing from different villages and diverse backgrounds, brought their unique perspectives to the table. Leading the Lado Panchayat was Shivalika Pandey, an advocate for girls’ rights and a previous winner of the “Selfie with Daughter” award, who had been chosen as the president for the day.
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Pandey opened the conversation by laying out the context. “Since 2019, we have been organising Lado Panchayats to discuss pressing issues affecting our lives,” she said. “The question of raising the marriage age is not just a legal matter; it’s about our future, our health, and our right to make decisions about our lives.”
Muskan, a young woman from Kanwari village, was the first to speak after being nominated by Pandey.
“I’ve seen friends who were married off at 18,” she began, her voice tinged with both sadness and determination. “They were lively and full of dreams, but marriage at such a young age changed them. It took away their freedom to pursue education, to understand themselves, and to grow.”
Another participant, Sonia, added to the conversation by focusing on the challenges of parenting at a young age. “Good parenting requires maturity,” she asserted. “How can an 18-year-old girl, who is still figuring out her own life, be expected to raise a child? They lack the experience and knowledge, and this often leads to issues like domestic violence and poor child-rearing practices. If women are allowed to marry at 21, they will be better prepared — both mentally and physically — to take on the responsibilities of motherhood.”
As the discussion continued, it became clear that these women were advocating for more than just a change in the law. They were challenging a deeply entrenched societal fabric that has long dictated the terms of their lives.
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Although a girl of 18 can legally marry, the health department recommends motherhood three years after the wedding. Babies born to mothers under 20 are more likely to have low birth weight, preterm delivery and severe neonatal conditions.
The origins of the Lado Panchayat can be traced back to 2012 in Bibipur, a village in Haryana’s Jind district. Sunil Jaglan, the village head, played a key role in challenging gender biases at the grassroots.
During a Mahakhap in Bibipur, Jaglan took a bold step by inviting women to participate in the discussions — a move met with strong opposition from many traditional delegates. Despite the resistance, his sister Ritu Jaglan became the first woman to speak at a khap panchayat that year. Inspired by her courage, other women gradually began voicing their opinions at these traditionally male-dominated gatherings.
“Together with the women of my village, we made history,” said Sunil Jaglan. “Women from five states participated in the very first khap panchayat for women. The call to end female foeticide rang out from that gathering, and the foundation of the Beti Bachao Jan Andolan was laid here. But when patriarchy refused to yield within the khap, I created the Lado Panchayat for women, run by women, whose voices will be heard on international platforms.”
He was also instrumental in inspiring the “Selfie with Daughter” campaign, which sought to shift perceptions of girls from being seen as burdens to being cherished.
The concept was both simple and revolutionary: a space where girls could openly discuss issues that matter to them. Whether advocating for legal reforms, demanding access to education, or striving for financial independence, the Lado Panchayat quickly emerged as a feminist movement that challenged the rigid patriarchal norms of rural Haryana.
The functioning of the Lado Panchayat is carefully structured. It begins with identifying problem areas through discussions with local girls and women. A WhatsApp group is created, bringing together participants from the community, nearby schools, women’s self-help groups and local leaders. Online invitations are then sent out, inviting girls and women to the Lado Panchayat.
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At the start of each session, a pradhan or head is selected randomly by drawing slips of paper with the names of interested women. The chosen pradhan is symbolically awarded a pagri, a traditional turban signifying authority, and she is briefed on conducting the proceedings.
These gatherings are typically held offline, but since the pandemic, they moved online. Pooja, a 23-year-old from Nalwa village in Hisar, was unexpectedly chosen as the pradhan at one such gathering. She had written her name on a slip, not expecting to be selected.
“I didn’t know what would happen, so I just wrote my name,” recalled Pooja, who is preparing for government job recruitment exams. “When they drew my name, I was so happy. Leading the panchayat was an incredible experience, something I’d never had the chance to do before.”
Unlike other local meetings where opportunities often go to the well-connected, in the Lado Panchayat, every woman is given a chance to lead.
As the meeting drew to a close, Pandey addressed this ongoing battle. “This isn’t just about legal reforms,” she said.” It’s about changing the mindset of our society. We must continue to spread awareness, to educate our communities, and to stand united in our demand for a better future.”After the session, the women drafted a resolution and a charter of demands, which will be submitted to local, district, and state authorities. This symbolic yet powerful act sent a clear message. These women are not waiting for change — they are the change.
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The lead image on top shows women gathered at a Lado Panchayat in Hisar, Haryana. (Photo courtesy Sunil Jaglan)
Unnati Sharma is a journalist, writer, and translator. She has worked with ThePrint as a Senior Correspondent specialising in politics, in-depth features, and art and culture stories.
