PRIA attempts to reform governance institutions in the context of a gender sensitised approach. That is why it emphasises women’s empowerment. For example, PRIA encourages more women to play leadership roles as elected representatives in the Panchayati Raj and municipalities.

Believing in inspiring others by its own example, PRIA has introduced a gender mainstreaming policy for itself.

In 1998 PRIA set up CASH (Committee Against Sexual Harassment). This was in keeping with the Supreme Court’s judgement of 1997, which made it mandatory for every organisation to constitute a committee to examine cases of sexual harassment within the organisation. The main objective of CASH in PRIA was to provide a forum for complaints against sexual harassment. It also organised and conducted gender awareness trainings and workshops with a focus on sexual harassment.

The committee was reconstituted in 2001, and its scope was widened to include issues going beyond sexual harassment. It included issues promoting equality in general relations among all members of the organisation. The committee was renamed the Committee for Gender Mainstreaming and Awareness (CGAMP ). Its recommendations led to several changes in personnel and service rules.

Through the Committee, PRIA plans and conducts programmes related to gender awareness amongst the staff, examines policies and structures from a gender perspective , and looks into complaints of sexual harassment. This role is not limited to complaints within the organisation but extends to playing a supportive role to participants in workshops and staff members and their families who may have problems related to sexual harassment within the family. PRIA has also initiated similar programmes amongst its partner organisations in order to ensure gender mainstreaming as an integral part of the institutional development of all PRIA partners in civil society.