Empowering Rural Women

Empowering Rural Women through Collectivisation Process for Accessing Entitlements with SAMMAN (DIGNITY) and SADBHAV (HARMONY)

In Sadar Block of Basti District, Sadbhawna Gramin Vikas Sansthan (SGVS) works directly by engaging women belonging to the marginalised and deprived sections of the rural community to strengthen them for the realisation of the entitlements provided by the Government through various schemes, while maintaining social harmony.

As a pro-poor organisation, SGVS initiated this intervention with the goal of identifying women belonging to poor and marginalised sections of society and enabling them to claim their rights and entitlements with dignity, and to render the local self-governance system transparent.

Stronger Community Leads to a Healthy and Secure Society

  • To organise and foster their leadership capabilities
  • Enable them to raise their voices before the Panchayat and larger forums such as Block and District officials
  • Increase visibility
  • Facilitate access to rights and entitlements for eligible families by enhancing their understanding of various government schemes
  • Provide continuous support regarding women’s issues and claim-filing processes, thereby strengthening constitutional values

Fruits of Rigorous Hand-holding

  • Reached 2,382 households, covering 2,110 families
  • One Resource Centre has been established by Nari Sangh at the Block level, owned and managed by members of the collective for accessing benefits of social security schemes free of cost
  • 2,306 women collective members have availed themselves of at least one entitlement under various government schemes
  • Rural women are taking collective action on women’s issues in an organised manner
  • Emerging as important players in the process of preparing the Panchayat Development Plan

Women empowerment is a necessity which leads to strong impact and a dignified life

  • A robust organisation comprising 3,500 women and 250 community leaders has been established across 18 Gram Panchayats; this organisation is actively working to address women’s issues and strengthen constitutional values.
  • Through the integration of 5,430 women into social welfare schemes, financial benefits amounting to ₹3.22 crore have reached the families associated with the organisation.
  • Specifically, 712 families have been linked to three benefit schemes.
  • Domestic violence and child marriage in the villages have been drastically reduced.
  • The increased respect and dignity accorded to women have led to greater social harmony.
  • Women’s mobility has increased beyond the confines of their homes.

Achievements

  • Through the integration of 5,430 women into social welfare schemes, financial benefits amounting to ₹3.22 crore have reached the families associated with the organisation; specifically, 712 families have been linked to three distinct benefit schemes.
  • Women’s collectives within the Panchayat, led by 250 key leaders, are functioning effectively as pressure groups; this has fostered increased community participation, enabling women to assert their voices powerfully at various levels.
  • There has been a 60% reduction in incidents of domestic violence and social discrimination faced by women.
  • In 12 Panchayats, the Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP) was formulated through a participatory approach led by women, ensuring the transparent implementation of Panchayat activities through community oversight and collaboration.
  • In five Gram Panchayats, acting upon the demands of the Nari Sangh (Women’s Association) and as part of an initiative to make the Panchayats more women-friendly, the installation of sanitary pad dispensing and incinerator machines has significantly enhanced the health, dignity and respect of women within these villages.
  • Women’s mobility has increased, thereby expanding their recognition and access at both the Block and District levels; furthermore, this heightened mobility has enabled them to become thoroughly conversant with the operational mechanisms of the Panchayat.
  • In addition to managing the operations of their own office, the Nari Sangh is also actively managing the functioning of the CCC (Common Service Centre).