KILA to groom women leaders for 2025 local body polls

The Kerala Institute of Local Administration (KILA) is set to roll out an ambitious training programme aimed at transforming women into powerful voices in local governance.

As the State gears up for the 2025 local body elections, KILA has announced a three-day training programme exclusively for women aspiring to contest, promising to build their leadership, communication and governance skills and their confidence to step boldly into electoral politics.

“We want to give them a head start — a clear picture of the duties, powers, and responsibilities of elected local body members before they step into the political arena,” said KILA’s Director General A. Nizamudeen. “This is about building confidence, competence, and clarity among women leaders.”

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The programme will run simultaneously across KILA’s centres, offering training to the first 1,000 applicants who register before September 25. Any woman can apply through www.kila.ac.in

The sessions will cover everything from the basics of local governance and election procedures to the finer aspects of public leadership — persuasive communication, public speaking, time management, and handling tough queries from the electorate. Participants will also learn to use social media responsibly and effectively, frame their development vision, and balance the pressures of public life and personal commitments.

“Our theme is simple yet powerful. ‘Lead with integrity, change society,’” said Amrutha K.P.N., Assistant Director (Training). “We are focussing on personality development, political sensitisation and leadership capacity-building. The aim is to create women leaders who are aware, confident and ready to take on the challenges of public life.”

One of the most anticipated sessions is titled ‘Know Yourself, Transform Yourself,’ which will help participants identify their strengths and evolve their personal leadership style.

KILA faculty members say this isn’t the institute’s first brush with political grooming for women— women who were trained after being elected in the last local body polls have credited the programme for their success as panchayat presidents and municipal leaders.

“Many of them told us that it was the KILA training that gave them the courage and clarity to take decisions as the head of their local bodies,” revealed a senior KILA faculty member.

“This time, we are taking one step ahead — preparing women even before they contest. We want to break the hesitation barrier,” said the Director General.

With 50% of local body seats reserved for women, KILA’s initiative could prove a gamechanger — equipping a new generation of women to step up, speak out, and steer grassroots democracy with vision and authority.

“This is not just training,” Dr. Nizamudeen asserted. “This is about shaping tomorrow’s leaders.”