Localizing Sustainable Development Goals through the Lens of Gender: Narratives from Kerala, India

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are essential for addressing development challenges in countries like India. As a key signatory to the UN resolution on SDGs in 2015, India has committed to aligning its major development programs with the SDGs and the nation’s Vision for 2030. Local and sub-national governments play a crucial role in this effort, making the localization of SDGs vital for the success of the 2030 Agenda. Localization refers to how local governments can support SDG achievement through bottom-up actions and create frameworks for local development, particularly from a gender perspective. Effective implementation requires the three-tier governance structure under Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) to plan, implement, and monitor SDG-related functions.

Emerging efforts to localize SDGs are evident in Kerala, where many Gram Panchayats are working to integrate these goals through a gender lens, supported by the Kerala Institute of Local Administration (KILA) and it also has developed a Local Indicator Framework and a Web-enabled Dashboard for training, planning, and monitoring SDGs locally. This paper presents case studies of two Gram Panchayats in Kerala—Chelakkara in Thrissur district and Nellanadu in Thiruvananthapuram district—highlighting best practices in localizing SDGs. It also explores the potential for scaling up this model. The convergence of SDG goals with the annual Mission Antyodaya Survey and financial grants from Union and State Finance Commissions can facilitate affordable and speedy localization. Additionally, the Women Component Plan (WCP) in Kerala, rooted in the People’s Plan Campaign, offers a strong framework for promoting sustainable development through localized SDGs from a gender perspective.