Socially and culturally constructed gender norms are widely recognized as a major obstacle for women and other underrepresented groups in achieving social and economic empowerment and participating in political processes. The pressures of domestic and caregiving responsibilities, along with restrictive norms that suppress the voices, agency, mobility, and earning potential of these groups, often prevent them from engaging in paid, productive work. These barriers also limit their involvement in local leadership and community governance, amplifying deep-rooted inequities.