MHT’s Participatory Local Governance Programme have built capacities of women leaders from slum communities, called Vikasinis (a local feminine connotation meaning “carriers of development”) who have emerged from their Community Action Groups (CAGs), through gender-focused training equipping them with fundamental knowledge and required skills to engage in city level governance and planning processes. Equipped with the knowledge in the domain of urban planning & governance and leadership skills, these women along with Community Action Group (CAG) members engage in and influence urban policies and plans that affects quality of life and improves access to government services in slum communities.
Vikasinis and CAG leaders are conceived as a vital link between the government and the urban slum dwellers. These women leaders have worked immensely to improve the condition of not just their habitat but have moved beyond their respective communities and worked for other slum communities of the city as well.

While they work on the slum, ward and city level issues and needs, this platform would allow the Vikasinis/women leaders to share and exchange their learnings and activities with fellow Vikasinis/women leaders in their day-to-day life. It would also create awareness amongst the citizens and law makers regarding the presence of such women leaders/Vikasinis, which can open doors for them to approach Vikasinis/women leaders for any kind of support and assistance.