Empowering Women Representatives in Local Government

Non-participation of women in panchayati raj institutions, despite over half a century of experimentation, is a major concern of those who want to see better democratic practices. Jatan believes that this problem is rooted mainly in the ignorance and illiteracy of masses and socio-structural impediments that hinder people from taking leadership roles. The reservation of seats for women in PRI’s can only empower women so much; other factors also need to be addressed. A most discouraging trend is that rural elites, politicians and local bureaucracy do not allow women members of the panchayat to function properly.

Increasing the participation of women and youth in governance and improving the quality of governance is at the forefront of Jatan’s agenda.

 

 

Strengthening Women’s Empowerment through Electoral Process (SWEEP)

While democracy has facilitated opportunity for rural women to participate in decision making processes every five years, some elected women may not find the election term sufficient to implement their visions. In order to reduce the disappointment and encourage more women to participate, The Hunger Project conducts a pre-election awareness campaign called Strengthening Women’s Empowerment in Electoral Process (SWEEP) with an objective of encouraging women to participate in the electoral process, as voters, election / polling / counting agents, and as candidates.

In 2010, Jatan re-established its collaboration with The Hunger Project, working to strengthen the female leadership in 29 Gram Panchayats of the Railmagra Block of the Rajsamand District. Through this partnership, Jatan works to mobilize people for self-reliant action, empower women as key change agents and engage with local government. Jatan facilitates Women’s Leadership Workshops, with respective preparation and follow-up meetings, to enhance the skills of the women leaders. Jatan also works to improve the system of village-level Gram Sabha meetings, by engaging and informing women on the processes and functions of their local government and elections.

Under this project about 100 prospective women leaders and 158 existing women representatives of PRI of the project area were identified and organized and women’s leadership workshops were organized in 29 Gram Panchayats of Railmagra block.

As a result, there is an increase in participation of women in the entire electoral process. Women have established presence and increase visibility as voters, candidates and nominators. Capacity building of EWRs will not only enable them to become political leaders but also make it possible for them to become effective citizen leaders.

 

 

UGER

UGER (Mewari for “new beginnings”) is an income-generating initiative focused on improving the livelihoods of women in Rajasthan. Groups of women have undergone three months of bag-stitching training, followed by communication and marketing workshops. Each SHG is now planning for the future of their business by forming a leadership committee that meets monthly in Udaipur. The women of UGER are stitching together their personal and collective experiences to create a thriving future. UGER’s mission is to “celebrate self-dependent women who have united through skills for a new beginning.” 

 

Mahila Suraksha evam Salah Kendra

Mahila Salah Evam Suraksha Kendra is redressal center for women and girls’ who experience violence. The Centres provide an environment of security and support to the distressed women and children wherefrom they can take their own decisions about modes of combating violence. Besides counseling, the Centre tries to link the woman with critical services like legal support, psychiatric/medical/short stay facilities, livelihood support etc, thus attempting to provide her holistic redressal to combat her situation. The centers undertakes intensive case work with her, providing emotional support, helping her, analyse her situation, counseling her for positive change, mediating with the perpetrators of violence, providing her legal, medical,  child related information and assistance and referring her to essential services.  Mahila Salah Evam Suraksha Kendra is located in Police premises (Mahila Thana, Bhilwara Road) in Rajsamand district, where any woman facing violence can seek support.