HEARTS & MINDS

WOMEN OF INDIA SPEAK

SHAPING THE POST-2015 DEVELOPMENT DISCOURSE & AGENDA

Published in June 2013

Copyright UN Women 2013
The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of
UN Women, the United Nations or any of its affiliated organisations.
Reproduction of this publication for educational or other non-commercial purposes is authorised, without prior
written permission, provided that due credit is given to UN Women and content is not altered in any way.
Cover Photo: UN Women/Praveen Kaliga
Design Concept: Divya Gupta & Impressions Communications
Printed by: Impressions Communications

HEARTS & MINDS

WOMEN OF INDIA SPEAK
SHAPING THE POST-2015 DEVELOPMENT DISCOURSE & AGENDA

HEARTS & MINDS

WOMEN OF INDIA SPEAK
SHAPING THE POST-2015 DEVELOPMENT DISCOURSE & AGENDA

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ensuring that the voices of especially those who remain socially, economically and geographically marginalised
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contained in this report is based on in-depth interviews with women and focus-group discussions with almost
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THE REPORT TEAM

This report is the product of a collective effort under the guidance of the Representative,
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Bhutan, Maldives and Sri Lanka. UN Womens Gender Responsive Budgeting Specialist, Yamini Mishra,
worked with the team of authors mentioned below and UN Women staff to make this report a reality.
A number of people provided detailed comments and advice throughout the research process, from
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Lead Author, Editor & Report Coordinator: Divya Gupta
Co-Authors: Swapna Bist-Joshi, Anubha Singh
Photographs: Divya Gupta, Praveen Kaliga, Pranab K. Aich, Mayank Pratap Singh, Swapna Bist-Joshi
Photo Essay (Inner Back Cover): Produced by Divya Gupta; Edited by Divya Gupta & Ganesh Prasad
UN Womens Review, Strategy, Advisory & Editorial Group
Anne F. Stenhammer, Sushma Kapoor, Yamini Mishra, Moumita Sarkar, Navanita Sinha, Bhumika Jhamb,
Suraj Kumar, Meenakshi Kathel, Bharti Sharma, Rachna Bisht, Kiran Negi, Sabrina Sidhu
Production Team: Divya Gupta, Impressions Communications, Moumita Sarkar, Sabrina Sidhu,
Mary Khuvung

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ourselves, how did we get here?
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by millions of people across the country. The tragedy made international headlines and pried open a
much-needed debate on womens safety and the unacceptably high levels of violence against women
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public policy. Thousands of young women and men mobilised for collective action to make their
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The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were arguably an ambitious and unprecedented attempt
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increasingly threatened planet suffering from uncomfortably high levels of human indignity and
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Against this backdrop, the MDG framework did try to address what it considered at the time as the
most pressing challenges facing women and girls such as increasing access to education for girls
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women on a daily basis, particularly the most marginalised women who have the least voice and
agency. The feedback from women in this report reveals that there are, in fact, disturbing trends of
either stagnation, slow progress or even reversal in many areas determining womens basic needs
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protect women and girls.
Despite the shortcomings of the MDG framework, as it turned out, a development took place over
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member countries that had adopted the framework, began aligning their national development

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a complete buy-in of the MDGs within countries or not, eventually, substantial resources were
mobilised to try and achieve them. Furthermore, there has even been noteworthy progress on some
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and their potential impact on millions of the most vulnerable people of the world, this report is an
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at the grassroots. Their stories are representative of millions of others whose extraordinary daily
courage and human resilience hold the tapestry of families, communities, countries and humanity
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and have increasingly become its silent and unsung peacemakers and peacekeepers.
For too long, development agendas and frameworks have been prepared without truly consulting
or giving voice to those whose lives they aim to improve the most. This report is a humble but
conscious attempt to address that gap. The challenges highlighted and analysed here in all their
complexity, multi-dimensionality and inter-relatedness will hopefully resonate among women in all
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the pangs of hunger and worse still, the pain and helplessness of seeing their children go hungry,
the physical weakness from toiling away in their households and farmlands all day to take care of
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esteem and struggle to maintain self-respect and protect their very lives in the face of daily mental,
emotional and physical violence.
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have the potential to bring about lasting positive transformation in womens lives.
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global order, thus providing the pragmatic imperative for why we should hear and understand what
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change to take place.

Anne F. Stenhammer
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
UN Women would like to express its sincere gratitude and dedicate this publication to the women
who opened their homes and shared their lives, tears, laughter, humour, sorrow and hopes so
generously, as well as the elected women representatives who shared their thoughts and insights
on a vast array of challenges still facing rural, poor and marginalised people, especially women, and
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UN Women would like to thank everyone who has been involved in the preparation of the report.
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necessary for this report.
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support, without whom this report would not have been possible. They include Ms. Saba Hasnain
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valuable assistance with translation during interviews and focus-group discussions.

vi

CONTENTS
Foreword

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Acknowledgements

Executive Summary

Issues
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6. Lifes all downhill (Tribal women living in remote areas)



7. Home is where the heart and hunger is (Seasonal migration among women)



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Recommendations & Aspirations



References



E X E C U T I V E S U M M A R Y
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Simultaneously, a parallel human narrative is playing out in the homes and villages of millions of
women who are telling us this ZHWRLOIRUKRXUVLQRXUKRXVHVHOGVDQGFRQVWUXFWLRQ
and village work sites to feed our children and families; we suffer violence of all types
silently day in and day out and we would have dreams if we had the time or had been
educated. If you want to and can help, then give us good work and well do it, give
us safe drinking water and the dignity of our own toilets, protect our human rights
and get dowry and drinking banned so we can lead more peaceful and happier lives.
Hear our voices! We matter!
Objectives
This report is thus aimed at ensuring that the voices of women living at the grassroots are meaningfully
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including destitution, old age, child marriage, working conditions and livelihood pressures
facing women in the informal farm economy, tribal women living in remote areas, the impact
of migration on women as well as challenges faced by women migrants, unemployment among
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challenges of women from a religious minority, the impact of lack of basic infrastructure such as
housing, water, sanitation, roads and electricity, new challenges such as climate change, social
exclusion and the triumphs and tribulations of elected women representatives.
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in ten districts across these states. Half of the ten districts are among the most backward in
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Report Structure
The report is structured under seven unbrella themes, which are aligned with the MDGs in order to
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 Intersectionality - Brief analysis of how issues interact with each other and impact women
and why marginalisation is strongly linked to vulnerability.
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4. Women of India Speak - Summary of insights, thoughts and experiences shared by elected
women representatives.
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challenges faced by women as manifested in their daily lives.
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6. Lifes all downhill (Tribal women living in remote areas)
7. Home is where the heart and hunger is (Seasonal migration among women)
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4

KEY FINDINGS
Gender Equality and Womens Empowerment
,Q WHUPV RI womens empowerment, most women feel that there have been positive, even some
transformative, changes in their lives over the past decade compared to previous generations. Women
VKDUHG WKDW WKH\ KDYH JUHDWHU YLVLELOLW\ PRUH HGXFDWLRQ DQG HPSOR\PHQW EHWWHU KHDOWKUHODWHG
DFFHVV IDFLOLWLHV DQG VRFLDO VHFXULW\ FRYHU HVSHFLDOO\ IRU SUHJQDQW DQG ODFWDWLQJ PRWKHUV UHGXFHG
PDWHUQDO PRUWDOLW\ LQFUHDVHG SROLWLFDO UHSUHVHQWDWLRQ SDUWLFLSDWLRQ OHDGHUVKLS DQG DZDUHQHVV
especially about girls education and maternal and child health. Elected women representatives feel
that they are more self-aware and their general awareness of government schemes and functioning
has also increased.
However, women raised several issues that remain unaddressed such as access to water and
sanitation, housing, roads, electricity, lack of employment options and skills training especially
DPRQJ ZRPHQ IDUPHUV DQG SRRU TXDOLW\ RI KHDOWK FDUH 7KH\ DOVR VKDUHG HPHUJLQJ DQG QHZ
concerns, which are affecting them adversely such as climate change, food insecurity, indebtedness,
landlessness and migration. Certain categories of women feel especially vulnerable and
disempowered such as single women, widows, elderly women, women abandoned by their spouses
RUIDPLOLHVRUFKLOGUHQRUSKDQHGJLUOVDQGZRPHQDQGJLUOVZLWKPDMRUKHDOWKFRQGLWLRQVHVSHFLDOO\
WKRVHDVVRFLDWHGZLWKKLJKOHYHOVRIVWLJPDDQGGLVFULPLQDWLRQVXFKDV+,9DQG$,'6DQGGLVDELOLW\
Greater political representation has allowed women to step out of their homes and participate in
meetings and the public life of their community and villages. However, genuine empowerment,
political voice and freedom in decision-making will take a lot longer to be realised. They hinge
on greater education of women, their increased conscious mobilisation, training and intensive
sensitisation and awareness-generation in ways that do not lead to more violence against them by
the entrenched patriarchal structure but instead empower them in organic and evolutionary ways.
Elected women representatives can act as catalysts in bringing about a transformative shift in
ZRPHQVOLYHVEXWSROLWLFDOZLOOFRUUXSWLRQDQGGHHSO\HQWUHQFKHGSDWULDUFK\OLPLWWKHLURZQHIFDF\
as elected leaders.
Regarding gender equality, women feel that their continued subordinate position in society vis-
-vis men is due to traditional roles and duties thrust upon them, which deprive them of their
freedoms and growth-related opportunities. They unanimously agreed that they received no help
from their husbands in household chores. On the contrary, any mistake or delay is an invitation for
admonishment or possible violence. They also attributed their subordinate position to low literacy
DQGDUHVXOWLQJODFNRIHPSOR\PHQWRSSRUWXQLWLHVDQGQDQFLDOLQGHSHQGHQFH:RPHQVWURQJO\IHHO
that this gender gap also results in violence against them. Lack of access to information also makes
ZRPHQVOLYHVGLIIHUHQWIURPPHQDQGPRUHGLIFXOW*HQGHUHTXDOLW\VHHPHGJUHDWHULQDUHDVZLWK
improved access to basic services, implying a strong positive correlation between womens access
to basic services and their overall standing as well as reduced vulnerability. Contrary to popular
SHUFHSWLRQ KRZHYHU JHQGHU LQHTXDOLW\ LV QRW RQO\ SUHYDOHQW EXW LV UHSRUWHGO\ JURZLQJ LQ WULEDO
DUHDV7KHOLYHVRIJLUOVZHUHIRXQGWREHDVGLIFXOWDVZRPHQLQUXUDODUHDVGXHWRUHVWULFWLRQVRQ
their mobility, expectations to assist in domestic work, livelihood generation and farming-related
work and preparation for matrimonial roles to marry early.
Poverty, Deprivation and Social Security
Women feel that they largely shoulder the burden of poverty in rural households rather than
PHQ ZRUN WZLFH DV KDUG DQG WDNH FDUH RI WKHLU IDPLOLHV UVW DQG WKHPVHOYHV ODVW 6LQJOH ZRPHQ
of all categories (elderly, widows, abandoned) were found to be most vulnerable to poverty as


were socially and geographically marginalised women and those suffering from health conditions
DVVRFLDWHGZLWKKLJKOHYHOVRIVWLJPDDQGGLVFULPLQDWLRQ+,9DQG$,'6GLVDELOLW\DQGSV\FKLDWULF
illness). Orphaned children, especially girls, were singled out as being extremely vulnerable and a
blind spot in development policy. Women drew strong links between alcoholism, climate change,
lack of infrastructure (housing, water, sanitation, roads and electricity) and increased poverty.
:RPHQLQDOOVWDWHVEURXJKWXSDPDMRUJRYHUQDQFHDQGSXEOLFVHUYLFHGHOLYHU\FKDOOHQJHSHRSOH
OLYLQJEHORZWKHSRYHUW\OLQH%3/DUHQRWFRUUHFWO\LGHQWLHGDQGWKXVFDQQRWDFFHVVWKHLUEDVLF
entitlements whereas those with assets, land or means are often wrongly categorised as poor and are
PLVDSSURSULDWLQJEHQHWV+RZHYHUZRPHQOLYLQJLQSHULXUEDQDUHDVIHOWSRYHUW\KDVGHFUHDVHG
RYHUWLPHGXHWRIDFWRU\UHODWHGMREVEHFRPLQJDYDLODEOHQHDUE\
Livelihoods, Employment and Skills
:KLOHSURIHVVLRQDOHPSOR\PHQWRSSRUWXQLWLHVIRUHGXFDWHGJLUOVKDYHLQFUHDVHGLQUXUDO,QGLDRYHU
the past decade, women farmers feel cornered by the lack of viable alternative livelihoods due to
VKLIWLQJZHDWKHUSDWWHUQVDQGUHVXOWLQJFURSIDLOXUH$PDMRULW\RIZRPHQLQUXUDO,QGLDDUHHQJDJHG
in agriculture and are largely illiterate. As a result, they compromise and accept low wages and low-
skilled work without worker protection and rights. They are increasingly forced to work as daily
ZDJHODERXULQYLOODJHZRUNVDQGHOGVRIULFKHUIDUPHUVRUDVVHDVRQDOPLJUDQWVLQFRQVWUXFWLRQVLWHV
and brick kilns. Livelihood-related challenges are multiplied in harsh terrains such as desert regions
where lack of water renders agriculture-based livelihoods unviable. Tribal women are especially
concerned about reduced forest produce over time. Skill-based employment and related training are
not readily available and most women are not covered or linked to self-help groups (SHGs), which at
OHDVWKHOSWLGHRYHULPPHGLDWHRUHPHUJHQF\QHHGV5XUDOZRPHQHVSHFLDOO\WKHYHU\SRRUVWLOOQG
LWYHU\GLIFXOWWRDFFHVVORZLQWHUHVWFUHGLWDQGQDQFLDOVHUYLFHV
Nutrition, Food Security and Hunger
Women reported positive changes and improvements in village-level nutrition facilities and centres
IRUFKLOGUHQDQGSUHJQDQWZRPHQ+RZHYHUWULEDOZRPHQLQPDQ\DUHDVVWLOOQGWKHVHIDFLOLWLHV
relatively far and inaccessible. Women are gravely concerned about climate change, which is impacting
nutrition and food security in their households. Since farming on their own lands is becoming
increasingly unviable, they are being forced to buy vegetables instead of growing them, which is more
costly. Women farmers said they screen food items based on cost rather than nutritional value. They
are the worst sufferers because women eat last or the least due to existing cultural norms that still
promote nutritional discrimination against women and girls in favour of men and boys, especially
LQUXUDOKRXVHKROGV,QVRPHYLOODJHVZRPHQFLWHGFDVHVRIVHYHUHPDOQXWULWLRQDPRQJZRPHQDQG
FKLOGUHQDQGLUUHJXODULWLHVDQGLQHIFLHQFLHVLQWKHJRYHUPHQWVIRRGGLVWULEXWLRQV\VWHP, which,
they reported, is failing to uniformly deliver rationed food to people below the poverty line. Women
shared that alcoholism also impacts their food security as men who drink are willing to sell the
IDPLO\VVXEVLVWHQFHJUDLQIRUOLTXRU
Education and Literacy
Functioning of primary schools and the attendance of girls in primary schools has improved
considerably. However, in many rural families, there is still a preference for investing in education for
3XEOLF'LVWULEXWLRQ6\VWHP3'6LVDQ,QGLDQIRRGVHFXULW\V\VWHPHVWDEOLVKHGE\WKH*RYHUQPHQWRI,QGLD*2,ZKLFK
GLVWULEXWHV VXEVLGLVHG IRRG DQG QRQIRRG LWHPV WR SHRSOH OLYLQJ EHORZ WKH QDWLRQDO SRYHUW\ OLQH 0DMRU FRPPRGLWLHV
distributed include staple food grains such as wheat, rice, sugar and kerosene, through a network of public distribution
VKRSVDOVRNQRZQDVUDWLRQVKRSVHVWDEOLVKHGDFURVVWKHFRXQWU\7KH)RRG&RUSRUDWLRQRI,QGLD)&,DJRYHUQPHQW
owned corporation, procures and maintains the public distribution system.


boys as compared to girls, especially beyond the primary level. Secondary schools and colleges were
found to be far-off and inaccessible, generating safety and security concerns and resulting in a large
QXPEHURIJLUOVFRQWLQXLQJWRGURSRXWDIWHUSULPDU\VFKRRO3RYHUW\ODFNRISURPLVLQJHPSOR\PHQW
options and social norms and expectations for girls to perform domestic work and marry early came
up as factors for lower or discontinued investment in the higher education of girls. Women living in
remote areas also cited rains, bad roads and poor infrastructure as constraining factors. Education
DQGOLWHUDF\OHYHOVFRQWLQXHWREHYHU\ORZDPRQJWULEDODQGDGXOWZRPHQPDNLQJLWYHU\GLIFXOWIRU
them to access their basic entitlements and increasing their vulnerability to economic exploitation.
Women acknowledged that their awareness levels about government schemes and services for
education are still very low, especially in remote areas. However, awareness levels regarding the
importance of education and health for girls have increased considerably over time.
Health and Well-Being
Women gave positive feedback about improvements in healthcare services for pregnant women and
lactating mothers, infants and children, free vaccinations and immunisations, reduced maternal
and child mortality (although infant mortality among young mothers was a concern), greater
awareness of women and childrens health and family planning and greater proximity to primary
health care centres and hospitals, although tribal women or those living in remote areas still cant
DFFHVVPHGLFDOIDFLOLWLHVHDVLO\:RPHQUDLVHGFRQFHUQVDERXWTXDOLW\RIKHDOWKFDUHVHUYLFHVVXFK
as administrative delays, absenteeism of doctors and nurses, long waiting hours, overcrowding
and lack of sensitive and respectful treatment of patients. As a result, many rural families are still
forced to go to private facilities and incur high out-of-pocket expenses. Women drew a strong link
between poor roads and infrastructure and the danger to womens health, particularly during
pregnancy. They also feel that lack of access to safe drinking water and sanitation increases water-
borne diseases, mostly impacting women and children. Women shared that climate change is
DOVR LPSDFWLQJ WKHLU KHDOWK DGYHUVHO\ DV WKH\ DUH ZRUNLQJ ORQJHU KRXUV LQ HOGV ZDONLQJ ORQJHU
distances to collect water and fuel wood and erratic and heavy rainfall is giving rise to more water-
borne diseases.
Women unanimously cited gender-based violence (GBV) as a widespread and persistent challenge,
directly fuelled and exacerbated by the twin problems of alcoholism and dowry. Some women,
however, did feel that they are more aware of their rights and more women are reporting violence
to the police than before. Child marriage is still common as is female foeticide, although at reduced
OHYHOV WKDQ HDUOLHU GXH WR OHJLVODWLRQ WKDW KDV PDGH VH[GHWHUPLQDWLRQ LOOHJDO 9LROHQFH DJDLQVW
ZRPHQLQWKHZRUNSODFHZDVLGHQWLHGDVDQRWKHUEOLQGVSRWHVSHFLDOO\LQLQGXVWULHVDQGDUHDV
where women work as informal labour without any rights, such as in the garment industry or as
while working as domestic help.
Although there is greater awareness about HIV and AIDS LQ VHOHFW TXDUWHUV LQ UXUDO ,QGLD WKH
awareness levels remain very low while associated stigma and discrimination is very high.
Rural women are in a high risk category as the most common way they contract the disease is
unknowingly through their husbands. The stigma adversely impacts their health and nutrition,
DELOLW\WRHDUQDOLYHOLKRRGDQGWKHLUFKLOGUHQVOLYHVZKLFKZRPHQOLYLQJZLWK+,9DQG$,'6DUHPRVW
concerned about. Although there is greater awareness regarding disability, women with disabilities
were similarly found to be highly vulnerable on multiple fronts including poverty, health, sexual
KDUDVVPHQWDQGH[SORLWDWLRQODFNRIHPSOR\PHQWRSSRUWXQLWLHVDQGVWLJPDDQGGLVFULPLQDWLRQ,Q
the absence of social support, old age itself leads to serious health issues, especially among single
women (widows, abandoned, divorced), who cant rely on anyone for their survival needs.

Access to Infrastructure, Adaptation to Climate Change

and Environmental Sustainability
One of the gravest concerns women shared was about successive rain and crop failure, which they
attributed to shifting weather patterns such as intense rain, no rain, erratic rain, more intense
summers and winters and deforestation. Rural farmer women said it is impacting their lives very
negatively and giving rise to poverty and food insecurity because they are primarily dependent on
DJULFXOWXUHDVVXEVLVWHQFHIDUPHUV,WLVDOVROHDGLQJWRLQFUHDVHGGHEWEXUGHQDQGLQH[WUHPHFDVHV
landlessness.
Many poor women, especially elderly ones, demanded better housing with solid and permanent
structures to ensure proper shelter and security. They also shared related concerns with temporary
GZHOOLQJVVXFKDVZDWHUVHHSDJHGXULQJUDLQ\VHDVRQDQGWKHQDQFLDOEXUGHQRIUHJXODUPDLQWHQDQFH
6RPHZRPHQFLWHGIUHTXHQWGLVSODFHPHQWIURPWKHLUKRPHVWHDGVDVSURSHUW\RZQHUVDUHFOHDULQJ
WKRVHDUHDVIRUSURMHFWV
:RPHQLGHQWLHGODFNRIZDWHUDFFHVVDYDLODELOLW\DQGTXDOLW\DQGVDQLWDWLRQDVDPDMRULIQRWWKH
foremost, challenges in their lives. They feel the lack of water and sanitation most acutely during
menstruation and pregnancy. Women and girls in most villages visited still fetch water from long
GLVWDQFHV7KH\QGLWKLJKO\WLPHFRQVXPLQJDQGLWNHHSVWKHPIURPSXUVXLQJDQGDWWHQGLQJWR
productive activities (employment for women and education for girls). Water shortage is acutely
felt during the summer months and rapid depletion of ground water is forcing people to adopt their
own coping mechanisms such as purchasing water on a regular basis, which poor families can ill-
DIIRUG3RRUZDWHUTXDOLW\DQGUHODWHGZDWHUERUQHGLVHDVHVDUHDFRQWLQXLQJFKDOOHQJHH[DFHUEDWHG
by lack of sanitation. Women drew a strong link between lack of toilets and retention of girls in
VFKRRO HVSHFLDOO\ EH\RQG WKH SULPDU\ OHYHO 7KH\ QG lack of infrastructure such as poor roads
DQGWUDQVSRUWDPDMRUGHWHUUHQWWRWKHLUPRELOLW\DELOLW\WRIHWFKZDWHUFROOHFWIXHOZRRGDQGJRWR
ZRUNLQWKHLUHOGVHVSHFLDOO\GXULQJWKHUDLQ\VHDVRQ,WDOVRQHJDWLYHO\LPSDFWVZRPHQVKHDOWK
and childrens education. Women, especially living in remote and tribal-populated areas, cited lack
of electricityDVDPDMRUFKDOOHQJHQHJDWLYHO\LPSDFWLQJPRELOLW\KHDOWKDQGHGXFDWLRQDQGRYHUDOO
living standards.

P O V E R T Y , D E P R I V A T I O N &
S O C I A L S E C U R I T Y
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WKHJOREDOOHYHOWKHEHORZVWDWHGGHQLWLRQ by United Nations of poverty does attempt to capture
the PXOWLGLPHQVLRQDOLW\RISRYHUW\DVLWPDQLIHVWVLQSHRSOHVOLYHVDQGWKHKXPDQFRQGLWLRQ
Fundamentally, poverty is a denial of choices and opportunities, a violation of human dignity.
It means a lack of basic capacity to participate effectively in society. It means not having enough
to feed and clothe a family, not having a school or clinic to go to, not having the land on which
to grow ones food or a job to earn ones living, not having access to credit. It means insecurity,
powerlessness and exclusion of individuals, households and communities. It means susceptibility
to violence, and it often implies living in marginal or fragile environments, without access to clean
water or sanitation.
INTERSECTIONALITY: :KHQ GHQHG LQ WKH
above terms, all development challenges are a cause,
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to some poverty researchers and experts, there is an
increasing feminisation of poverty underway, implying
that women represent a disproportionate percentage of
the worlds poor,4 which, in turn, is attributed to the rising
incidence of single mother households. A contested and controversial claim, the important take away
from the concept is that it doesnt treat poverty only as a function of loss of income but associates
it with a deprivation of capabilities and gender biases present in societies, which preclude women
IURPOLYLQJORQJKHDOWK\FUHDWLYHDQGHPSRZHUHGOLYHV,QIDFWWKH\NHHSDPDMRULW\RIZRPHQIURP
HQMR\LQJHYHQEDVLFULJKWVIUHHGRPUHVSHFWDQGGLJQLW\ZKLFKKDVEHHQVWURQJO\VXEVWDQWLDWHGE\
WKHQGLQJVRIWKLVUHSRUW)RULQVWDQFHZRPHQDFURVVWKHERDUGIHOWWKDWWKH\VKRXOGHUWKHEXUGHQ
of poverty more than men because they do all the domestic work, carry out most of the care-giving
duties and functions of family and perform the more labour-intensive and time-consuming work in
WKHIDUPEDVHGDQGUHODWHGDFWLYLWLHVWKDWUXUDOKRXVHKROGVDUHW\SLFDOO\HQJDJHGLQ,QFUHDVLQJO\
they are also taking on the traditional breadwinning role of men, which was strongly evident
DFURVVDOOWKHVWDWHVYLVLWHGZKHUHZRPHQIRUPHGWKHRYHUZKHOPLQJPDMRULW\RIWKHODERXUIRUFHLQ
village construction works and farmlands. The more socially or geographically excluded a woman is,
the more acutely she experiences poverty and the more likely she is to fall in and out of it and pass it
down the generations. Certain categories of single women were found to be extremely vulnerable to
poverty such as elderly women, widows, abandoned or destitute women, homeless and women with
GLVDELOLWLHV+,9DQG$,'6RURWKHUKHDOWKFRQGLWLRQVDVVRFLDWHGZLWKVWLJPDDQGGLVFULPLQDWLRQ
New challenges such as climate change are accentuating poverty and food insecurity and leading to
migration among women in large numbers. Gender-based violence, which remains pervasive, is both a
FDXVHDQGFRQVHTXHQFHRISRYHUW\ZLWKGHYDVWDWLQJSV\FKRORJLFDODQGSK\VLFDOLPSDFWVRQZRPHQDQG
their children.

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destitute, single, illiterate
and landless woman, strongly
demonstrates this multi-
dimensional nature of poverty.


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income is less than one dollar a day

INDICATORS
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of which were explicit in the United Nations Millennium Declaration7 from which the MDGs
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 $OWKRXJKWKH0'*IUDPHZRUNLQFOXGHGJHQGHUVSHFLFJRDOVPRVWRIWKHJRDOVGLGQRWLQFOXGH
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men and women and boys and girls on an array of human development indices.
 7KHIUDPHZRUNZDVHQWLUHO\VLOHQWRQLQHTXDOLW\DQGLQHTXLW\WKHJUHDWHVWDQGPRXQWLQJWZLQ
challenges of our time. The indicators of progress for all MDGs were based on national level
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cuts across all forms of deprivation and exclusion. As such, it altogether left out many issues with
strong poverty and gender linkages such as the lack of infrastructure (housing, roads, water,
sanitation, electricity and energy), the need for social security for those facing multiple forms
of vulnerability and marginalisation (old age, single women, widows, abandoned or destitute,
KRPHOHVVSHRSOHZLWKGLVDELOLWLHV+,9DQG$,'6RURWKHUVHULRXVKHDOWKFRQGLWLRQVDVVRFLDWHG
with a high level of stigma and discrimination), gender-based violence, impact of climate change
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Women of India Speak

 :KHQ DVNHG KRZ SRYHUW\ LPSDFWV PHQ DQG
women differently, responses ranged from,
Men dont experience poverty. Women
shoulder the burden of poverty to more
generous answers acknowledging that men
and women both experience poverty but
women shoulder a much larger burden of its
negative impacts as compared to men.

Poverty affects both,

men and women. If a man doesnt
earn and bring in income,
how will the woman take care of
the family and prepare food?
We have to do everything
farming and related activities,
JRWRWKHMXQJOHWRFROOHFWUHZRRG
cook food and take care of the
family. If there is no food in the
house, no ration, oil or spices, its
a big problem and women face it.
Men remain outside.

 :RPHQ OLYLQJ LQ SHUL XUEDQ DUHDV GLIIHUHG

starkly on the issues of poverty and
employment. According to them, poverty
LV QRW D PDMRU FKDOOHQJH DQ\ ORQJHU 7KH\
shared that in the past, only one member was
the breadwinner but now all family members
work, which has enhanced family incomes
over time. Factories and industries that have
sprung up in close proximity to their villages
have provided opportunities and more options for viable incomes. They feel that villages located
IDUDZD\IURPDFLW\DUHDWDGLVDGYDQWDJHDQGWKDWIXOOWLPHVDODULHGSHRSOHLQSURIHVVLRQDOMREV
are much better off than those primarily dependent on agriculture.

A few people are

getting richer by the day
and others are so poor that
they do not even have food to eat.

 0DQ\ UXUDO ZRPHQ IHHO WKDW SRYHUW\ KDV

increased in the past few years and there
is a very uneven distribution of wealth and
JURZLQJ LQHTXDOLW\ 7KH\ DOVR IHOW WKDW WKH
proportion of poor people to rich people is
much higher.

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YXOQHUDEOH WR SRYHUW\ $ PDMRULW\ RI WKHP IRXQG
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meet even their basic needs and security. Many cited
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3UROHRQSDJH
sheds light on this extreme
vulnerability of elderly,
LOOLWHUDWHZRPHQLQUXUDO,QGLD
and how they fall through the
cracks of the existing public-
delivery system.

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WR EH KLJKO\ YXOQHUDEOH WR SRYHUW\ DQG LGHQWLHG DV
blind spots in policy-making and public-service
delivery. Some women related personal stories,
XQGHUVFRULQJDYHU\VWURQJOLQNEHWZHHQGLVDELOLW\DQGSRYHUW\,IWKHPDLQEUHDGZLQQHURIWKH
house is disabled, it especially has a spiralling effect on the familys ability to earn, meeting the
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 :RPHQDFURVVDOOVWDWHVXQDQLPRXVO\FLWHGDOFRKROLVPDVDPDMRUFKDOOHQJH0DQ\GUHZDVWURQJ
and direct link between alcoholism and poverty. They shared how it leads to a vicious cycle of
income loss, decreased employment and employability, increased domestic workload for women,
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psychological and emotional stress and a high probability of increased gender-based violence.
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well-being.
 3RYHUW\LVVHHQWRKDYHDQDGYHUVHLPSDFWRQUHWHQWLRQRIJLUOVLQVFKRROVDVYHU\SRRUIDPLOLHV
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examines the physical,
case of failed crops or any other exigency, borrowing
emotional and psychological
money from unscrupulous moneylenders is the only
impact of male-out migration
available option. Moneylenders charge exorbitant
on women in a remote
interest rates, often leading to an inescapable debt
trap. Mostly unable to offer collateral, poor women
rural village.
DOVRQGLWH[FHHGLQJO\GLIFXOWWRDFFHVVORDQVIURP
banks. This especially poses a challenge for women-
led households who need to access credit to meet immediate, emergency or even daily expenses.
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social welfare entitlements, whereas people with land and assets are being wrongly categorised
DVSRRUDQGDUHPLVDSSURSULDWLQJWKHLUEHQHWV



GOWRAMMA HIREGOWDER
Where the name roams the streets
When you have money,
people respect you.
Otherwise, no one
bothers. There are times
when I am forced to beg
but I have refrained from
doing so. I hope that I am
not compelled to beg in
the future.

Photo @ UN Women/ Mayank Pratap Singh

At 45, Gowramma appears to be

almost 60 years old, for she has
weathered the exigencies of life. She
lives in a dilapidated house in a small
village in Karnatakas cultural
headquarters Dharwad district
located about a three-hour drive
from Goa. There are painful cracks
on the soles of her feet. She walks
around bare feet as the only pair of
slippers she owned, broke. There is
a deep sadness in her dim cataract-
infected eyes, which well up with
tears, as she relates her life story.
Each line on her face and grey strand
of hair tells a story of deprivation,
rejection and cruelty in the face of
adversity but, above all, of human
resilience to survive despite the odds.
Destitution or absolute poverty can be described as a state of extreme deprivation, coupled with
the complete absence of a social security net. Destitution is also a form of spatial KRUL]RQWDO
and verticalLQHTXDOLW\:RPHQH[SHULHQFHGHVWLWXWLRQDQGSRYHUW\LQSDUWLFXODUO\YXOQHUDEOHDQG
RSSUHVVLYHZD\VDQGDPDMRULW\RIWKHPDUHIRXQG to be physically malnourished, sick, disabled
DQGVRPHRIWKHPDUHZRUNLQJDJHDGGLFWVVH[ZRUNHUV,QDGLVWXUELQJWUHQGGHVWLWXWLRQDPRQJ
women increased LQ ,QGLD EHWZHHQ  SDUWLFXODUO\ DPRQJ ROGHU ZRPDQ FRPSDUHG WR
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challenges and pronounced vulnerability facing destitute people are not factored into public policy.
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Footnotes overleaf



My name is Gowramma. My father was a

farmer and owned his own land. My mother
was a housewife but she helped my father in
farming. We are three sisters and one brother,
who is the eldest. He got married and started
living separately from my parents long back.
A suitable match was also found for my older
sister and she was married off. As my parents
ZHUHXQDEOHWRQGDPDWFKIRUPHWKH\JRWP\
younger sister married off, too. They did try to
JHWPHPDUULHGEXWDV,ZDVWKHLURQO\VXSSRUW
left, they didnt try too hard.

I have to request my neighbours

for water every day, which is
limited to just one bucket.
When my father was alive and an active farmer,
, XVHG WR KHOS FRRN IRRG IRU WKH ODERXU WKDW
ZRUNHGRQP\IDWKHUVHOGVDQGLQRWKHUIDUP
related activities. My entire youth passed by
doing this and in taking care of my parents later.
,ZDV\HDUVROGZKHQ,ORVWP\SDUHQWV$IWHU
their demise, my brother took all the family land
DQG,ZDVOHIWDORQHDQGGHVWLWXWH0\IDWKHUKDG
been a habitual gambler when he was alive and
so my brother and village elders forced him to
will his property to my brother so he wouldnt
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Gradually, he stopped that, too.
My house was in such a dilapidated state that
SDUWVRILWFROODSVHG6R,DSSOLHGIRUWKHUHOLHI
fund for repair work. Women in the village used
to discourage and tease me by saying, Why do
you need to repair your house? For whom are
you doing all this? You have no husband, no
family no children. You will soon die and go to
ZDVWH,UHFHLYHGUXSHHVGROODUVIURP
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LQWKHEDQN,ZLWKGUDZUXSHHVGROODUV
every month to take care of my expenses and
have no clue how long the money will last.
When my house fell, my ration card and other
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been able to access the free or subsidised ration
, DP HQWLWOHG WR IRU DOPRVW D \HDU QRZ , KDYH
been trying hard to renew my card but to no
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JRYHUQPHQWVFKHPHVEXWIDLOHGEHFDXVH,GRQW
have awareness or the ability to do paperwork.
6LQFH , DP D VLQJOH ZRPDQ , GRQW TXDOLI\ IRU
widow or old-age pension.

My only pair of slippers broke

and so, I walk bare feet now.
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separate the cotton from the pod. For every
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$YDLODEOHIURPKWWSHSFSULQFHWRQHGXSDSHUVDFFHVVHG-XQH


,ELG
A ration card or stamp is issued by the government to allow the holder ( particularly people living below the poverty
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WRWKHHOGVWRZRUN,KDYHQRVWUHQJWK
left. My bones ache and my feet have
developed deep cracks and hurt when
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talk about my single status but it did
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I prepare whatever food

is available. Mostly, it is
boiled rice with red chillies
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When things are good,
I can afford to put some
vegetables in the rice
and cook the meal in oil.
entire day. After my parents died,
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started disrespecting me and as time
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you have money people respect you.
Otherwise, no one bothers. There
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in the future.



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the rice and cook the meal in oil.
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and spend the entire day working there and return
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clothes, visit the temple, collect fuel-wood and make
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brother for milk again to prepare my evening tea.
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tea in complete darkness, drink it and then sleep.
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for myself.

A globular water-holding mug.

Also spelt as Saree, a Sari is a strip of unstitched cloth ranging from four to nine yards in length that is draped over
WKHERG\E\ZRPHQLQYDULRXVVW\OHVZKLFKLVQDWLYHWRWKH,QGLDQ6XEFRQWLQHQW





Photo @ UN Women/Divya Gupta

SARSI
When tomorrows bring more sorrow

I cant see very well now and am weak but still have the need and desire
to work and earn some money.
Sarsi was barely 12 years old when she was married to a 40-year-old man. Fifty years later, at
62, she bears all the signs of old age and more her body is frail and emaciated; her bones jut
out; her voice quivers when she speaks; her hands shake and her movements are slow. When she
cooks, shes so visibly weak that she can barely stir the cooking pot. Her 90-year old husband lies
like an old behemoth on a charpai19 inside their dark mud hut, tucked away in a winding village
alley in Dungarpur, one of Indias most backward20 districts located in the northern desert state
of Rajasthan. As her life story unravelled, tears rolled down Sarsis cheeks, even as her hands
remained folded throughout partly in respect, partly to comfort herself perhaps but mostly, out
of some inexplicable hope.
Almost a decade before the MDGs were outlined, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a
resolutionRQSULQFLSOHVIRUROGHUSHUVRQVLQZKLFKDVVHUWHGWKHLUULJKWVWRLQGHSHQGHQFHFDUH
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women tend to live longer than men but demographic trends point to a growing feminisation of
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HVWLPDWHGPLOOLRQDQGWKHQXPEHURIHOGHUO\ZRPHQZLOOH[FHHGPHQE\DOPRVWPLOOLRQ
The predicament of elderly women and widows is aggravated by a lifetime of gender-based
discrimination. Ageing women are more likely to be excluded from social security schemes due to
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their neglect, abuse, exploitation, gender-based violence, lack of access to basic services and denial
of ownership of assets.
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lack of proper housing, electricity and water.
Footnotes overleaf



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peace and happiness.
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a farmer. We are four sisters and two brothers
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ZRUN,XVHGWRKHOSLQWKHIDUPLQJODERXUZRUN
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no awareness at the time and we were so poor,
that nobody even though of education.
Fifty years ago, girls were married very early
DPRQJWKH5DMSXWFRPPXQLW\EXWQRZWKH\JHW
PDUULHGDW\HDUVRIDJH,ZDVEDUHO\
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even covers the wedding expenses. Dowry was
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LVVWLOOSUHYDOHQWLIDJLUOKDVWREHPDUULHGDW
OHDVWtola of gold is given to the boy and
his family. We couldnt afford it. We were a poor
family and my father passed away rather early.
6RP\IDPLO\WKRXJKWLWEHVWWRPDUU\PHRII,Q

VXFKFDVHVWKHJLUOVZLVKLVQRWDVNHG,QIDFW
when the man is rich, sometimes they even take
the girl by force. My family did what they had to,
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Women can work in old age

according to their capacity
and ability but it is better
to give us house-based work
because it is more secure and
easier than construction and
village work.
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P\UVWFKLOGDWDERXW\HDUVRIDJHDQGKDG
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because of poverty. Somehow, we managed to
get all of them married.

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frame bordering a set of knotted ropes.



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considered restrictive and oppressive towards women ranging from the ghoonghat, which refers to the veil used to
cover the face of married women, minimising the movement of women in public spaces and limiting interactions to only
other women or immediate male relatives and child marriage, to more extreme practices of Sati or self-immolation of
a married woman on the funeral pyre of her husband, Jauhar, which was the honorary self-immolation of women and
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The tola also transliterated as tolah or tole is a traditional South Asian unit of mass derived from the Sanskrit word
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is a system of units and mass customarily used for precious metals and gemstones.



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dupatta is most often used as the veil. Dupatta is a piece of cloth that accompanies another commonly worn traditional
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community didnt venture outside the house, let
alone do labour work. We covered our faces with
our ghoonghat. We had to think a hundred
times before going out or talking to someone.
0HQ FRXOG QRW HYHQ WDON WR 5DMSXW ZRPHQ 
there was a complete social ban. There is much
more freedom and mobility among women of
other castes and communities, especially among
tribal women. Even today, it is the same but
EHFDXVHWKHUHLVVRPXFKGLIFXOW\WRPDNHHQGV
PHHW,KDYHGRQHDOONLQGVRIODERXU,OLIWHGDQG
dumped mud at construction sites even back
then and have even done more intense work
such as lifting water and rocks until last year
as part of the employment guarantee scheme.
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lifting mud. Fellow workers also gave me less
strenuous work out of pity and respect for my
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domestic work myself.
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never enough to eat in the house. There has
always been anxiety about how to make ends
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couldnt go out and get much work due to our
restrictive traditions. My husband has been
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old now.
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thing for us is to get support to build a house
because it is in such a bad state that we live
in constant fear of it collapsing during the
rainy season. We also dont have electricity. A
neighbour has given us connection for one bulb
out of pity so that we have some light. Even in



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times on the way, take rest and then proceed.
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Women can work in old age according to their
capacity and ability but it is better to give us
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have the need and desire to do work and earn
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their dung, put it aside and then feed them
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the house and cook food.
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husbands bath and then feed him. We either
have roti and dal or if there is some money,
then some vegetable and if not, then roti
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have lunch myself.
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are tied at some distance from my house
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grass and if we have grown something in the
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after the buffaloes again and feed them.
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to sleep.

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Photo @ UN Women/Divya Gupta

PHATUDI
Lifes tough, with or without you

What if my child gets sick or some other need comes up? I had to wait
for months to receive any money from my husband and that, too, only
1000 rupees (18 dollars) at a time.
For a young woman who attempted suicide not too long ago, Phatudi sure sports a ready smile,
even while speaking about the episode, when her expressions do turn a shade sheepish. Shes
blessed with naturally attractive features but under her head cover, theres a lot more grey in her
hair than there should be at just 32 years of age. Belonging to the predominant Pataliya tribe of
the region, she lives in Jhabua district of Madhya Pradesh, located in the heart of India. The lack
of livelihood options has forced a high degree of male-out migration in the state, leaving behind a
landscape increasingly dotted with women-led households. Left alone to fend for themselves and
their children, these women gingerly navigate life alone in a village and are often forced to take on
XQVXVWDLQDEOHGHEWIURPXVXULRXVPRQH\OHQGHUVWRPDNHVHQGVPHHWDQGVWD\QDQFLDOO\DRDW
Migration denotes any movement of groups of people from one locality to another and takes
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positioning within the society and state. The process of migration thus has a constraining effect
not only in structural terms (lack of choices) or cultural terms, but also in the sense in which it
PD\LQFOXGHDEXVHH[SORLWDWLRQDQGHPRWLRQDODQGSV\FKRORJLFDOGLVWUHVV,QWKHDEVHQFHRIWKHLU
husbands at close proximity, female-headed households bear the added responsibilities of managing
the household budget, fuel and water needs, participating in community meetings, storing crops,
PDUNHWLQJSURGXFHDQGPHHWLQJWKHLUFKLOGUHQVZHOIDUHQDQFLDODQGJURZWKQHHGV$KLJKOHYHORI
male out-migration from rural to urban areas has also led to the feminisation of agriculture.
INTERSECTIONALITY: Tribal, illiterate, living in remote terrain poorly connected to health
FDUH IDFLOLWLHV PRWKHU RI YH FKLOGUHQ PDUJLQDO IDUPHU ZRPDQOHG KRXVHKROG GXH WR PDOHRXW
PLJUDWLRQOLWWOHRUQRDFFHVVWRORZLQWHUHVWEDQNFUHGLWDQGQDQFLDOVHUYLFHV.
Footnotes overleaf



My father was a labourer. He was a bit insane

and mostly remained outside the house. My
mother raised the children mostly. We are two
VLVWHUVDQGRQHEURWKHU,KDGGUHDPVRIVWXG\LQJ

I feel that life is easier as a

migrant than being alone as a
woman in your own village...
Only you can know your own
problems fully. How can you
share everything? The psychology
becomes that somehow,
I have to manage.
DQG JHWWLQJ D MRE DQG HDUQLQJ EXW ZH ZHUH VR
poor that life went in a different direction.
, ZDV TXLWH \RXQJ ZKHQ , VWDUWHG ZRUNLQJ LQ
FRWWRQHOGV,XVHGWRJHWUXSHHVGROODUV
for collecting cotton the entire day and would
give it to my mother so she could buy grain for
WKH KRXVH , PXVW KDYH EHHQ MXVW  \HDUV ROG
1RZ\RXJHWUXSHHVGROODUVSHUGD\IRU
the same work.
, JRW PDUULHG DQG KDG VL[ FKLOGUHQ EXW RQH
JLUO GLHG ZKHQ VKH ZDV MXVW D IHZ \HDUV ROG
My husband started working in another state
leaving me alone to take care of the children and
HYHU\WKLQJ HOVH , KDG WR FRRN DQG IHHG WKHP
send them to school, do all the housework,
fetch water from far away several times a day,
take care of my livestock and run about trying
WRNHHSWKHPLQFKHFN,DOVRKDGWRZRUNLQWKH
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,XVHGWRUHTXHVWVRPHRQHHOVHWRFDOOKLPDQG
VHQGPHVVDJHVWKURXJKRWKHUVUHTXHVWLQJKLPWR
come back. He stayed away for three years and
didnt even come back in the rainy season. Once,
it must have been about a week before Holi and
, VHQW D PHVVDJH UHTXHVWLQJ KLP WR FRPH EDFN
and to stay home this time. He said how could

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JRWDQJU\DQGWRRNSRLVRQWKHRQH\RXSXWLQ
cotton to keep insects away. After that episode,
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help me with raising the children and taking
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the expenses.
, IHHO WKDW OLIH LV HDVLHU DV D PLJUDQW FRPSDUHG
to being alone as a woman in your village. But
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Sometimes, women go along and with children.
,ZHQWRQFHZLWKP\KXVEDQGWR*XMDUDWDORQJ
ZLWK WZR FKLOGUHQ , OHIW WKH RWKHU FKLOGUHQ
behind with relatives. You work all day and earn
something, eat and sleep. Theres a tap right at
WKHVLWHWRDFFHVVZDWHU,QWKHYLOODJH\RXKDYH
WRGRHYHU\WKLQJ\RXUVHOIIHHGHYHU\RQHIHWFK
water from long distances, do house work and
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can know your own problems fully. How can
you share everything? The psychology becomes
WKDWVRPHKRZ,KDYHWRPDQDJH

I sent a message requesting him

to come back and stay at home. He
said how could he come back when
he has to work and earn?
I got angry and took poison
the one you put in cotton to keep
the insects away.
:KHQ , QHHGHG PRQH\ , KDG WR ERUURZ LW DQG
, FRXOG SD\ LW EDFN RQO\ ZKHQ P\ KXVEDQG
returned home. Women like me have to keep
borrowing money from each other in the village.
What if my child gets sick, or some other need
FRPHVXS",KDGWRZDLWIRUPRQWKVVRPHWLPHV
to receive any money from my husband and
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where he worked and lived.

Sansristi (Odisha), A research study on impact of increasing migration on women in Orissa. Available from
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,ELG



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spring and saying farewell to winter and celebrating good harvests and the fertile land.





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most if my children got sick. My father-in-law also
used to remain sick and a lot of money was spent in
taking care of him.

My workload didnt change much

after my husband came back.
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theres a little less stress
and debt but thats it.
I still do most of the work.

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fetch water. My house structure was also not very
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has resulted in premature ageing. There is also a
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have to watch over your shoulder more and go out
of the house less after dark. Had the government
been providing some opportunity to work from
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provided within homes, women wouldnt have to go
outside. There is more security when your husband
is at home. Women who go with their husbands
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back home.

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would go take my cows, buffaloes and
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throw them some grass to feed on.
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of my buffaloes calves, once they were
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fetch water, prepare food, feed the
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fetch water several times a day from
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dinner, feed the children and family,
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do most of the work.

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L I V E L I H O O D S ,
E M P L O Y M E N T & S K I L L S
When employment is viewed in the most holistic and inclusive terms, it is only a sub-set of livelihood,
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involving self-employment and or wage employment by using ones endowments (both human and
material) to generate adequate resources for meeting the requirements of the self and household
on a sustainable basis with dignity.
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extreme conditions, it leads to an inability to meet the most basic human needs such as shelter,
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control, psychological stress and depression, poor nutrition, inability to pursue growth opportunities
and compromises overall mental, emotional and physical health. Women experience all of the above
more acutely than men and the more patriarchal a society is, the greater are the repercussions of
unemployment for women, including increased vulnerability to all forms of gender-based violence.
Among the most vulnerable are women and girls belonging to any excluded or marginalised group
such as tribal women, Dalit (Scheduled Caste) women and women belonging to religious minorities
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decent income-earning opportunities and a reliable social safety net, single women (elderly, widows,
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on agriculture, which is the main source of livelihoods for millions of poor rural families, especially
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employment and decent work for all, including (PSOR\PHQWWRSRSXODWLRQUDWLR
women and young people
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family workers in total employment

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are educationally or socially marginalised, which fall under the category of either Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes
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Untouchable castes.





 7KH HPSOR\PHQWEDVHG 0'* WDUJHWV DQG LQGLFDWRUV ZHUH QRW EDVHG RQ D KROLVWLF OLYHOLKRRGV
approach, which emphasises organic, bottom-up and community-based economic empowerment,
dignity of labour and the pursuance of livelihood and income-generating activities in harmony
with the environment.
 $OWKRXJKWKHUHYLVHG0'*EDVHGWDUJHWWR$FKLHYHIXOODQGSURGXFWLYHHPSOR\PHQWDQGGHFHQW
work for all, including women and young people was a step in the right direction, it came eight
years late, eating into the MDG progress timeline. The corresponding indicators under the target
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DJJUHJDWHVDQGSURSRUWLRQVZKLFKIDLOHGWRWULJJHUWKHUHTXLVLWHSXEOLFSROLF\VKLIWVWRGHOLYHUD
genuine and effective employment policy based on actual human needs and rights.
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DQG HPSOR\PHQW ZRPHQV FRQWULEXWLRQ  XQSDLG DQG XQGHUSDLG  WR DOO HFRQRPLF VHFWRUV
remained unrecognised. Therefore, the challenges that impede their economic well-being also
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working on minimum wage or number of women working in formal wage-based employment
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and helped promote genuine economic empowerment of women.
4. The framework completely left
out farm-based livelihoods and
employment, which engages the bulk
of the labour force in most developing
countries. Women form a large portion,
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labour force.

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provides a clear sense of the strong role
that millions of women farmers play in the
overwhelmingly informal farm economy and
the dual workload they silently carry.

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unemployed college graduate and the
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exacted on a low-to-middle income family
in the absence of social and economic
returns on investment in education.

6. Since it lacked the livelihood approach

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geographical exclusion and how spatially
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to earn income or access livelihood
opportunities.

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DQG
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included only non-farm based
wage employment for women as an
economic empowerment indicator.
However, the share of women in wage
employment in non-agricultural
sector stagnated DW   SHU FHQW
RYHUYH\HDUVIURP

3UROHRQSDJHRIDWULEDO
woman living on a remote hilltop
demonstrates the strong links between
such marginalisation and the increased
likelihood of poverty, hunger and lack of
education, employment opportunities and
mobility, especially for women and girls.


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7. The MDG framework also eclipsed the entire gamut of

labour, worker or migrant rights as it was not rooted in a
human rights framework or linked to any accountability
mechanisms.
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enhancing skills and vocational employment and education
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which women repeatedly demanded across the board for
their economic betterment.

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light on how hunger and
lack of livelihood options
are increasingly forcing
women to work as migrants
without any social security,
social protection or
workers rights.

Women of India Speak

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independence.
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personal growth-related opportunities.
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complete lack of employment options except for working on farms as daily wage labour or in
construction sites and brick kilns as migrant labour. As a result, women are willing to settle for
low wages and work long hours in poor conditions.
 :RPHQ HVSHFLDOO\ OLYLQJ
in harsh terrains (deserts,
Women toil away in dust and heat all day
remote areas, drylands),
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in the employment guarantee scheme.
UHODWHG FKDOOHQJHV ,Q
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5DMDVWKDQ IRU LQVWDQFH We do it so that our children dont die of hunger.
they shared that farming is
If the odd man does work, he loses it in drinking
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by the evening. The entire responsibility
and rain. As a result, women
for bringing up children falls on us.
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care of their families. Most
women work under the
Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGA). Often, they
arent paid wages fully, or for the full number of days they worked or suffer long delays in wage
SD\PHQWV6RPHWLPHVWKH\DUHQRWDEOHWRQLVKZRUNGXHWRWRXJKDQGRSSUHVVLYHZRUNLQJDQG
weather conditions. Some women even felt that the hard physical labour they perform is not
appropriate for them, but they do it to feed their children.
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opportunities than women living in rural interior villages. Some elected women representatives
The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), formerly known as NREGA, is
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related unskilled manual work at the statutory minimum wage, which differs by state. For more information, see
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also shared that local development funds were facilitating loans for women and could be used to
set up small businesses.
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that there are no opportunities to use those skills effectively to earn income or a livelihood.
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LQFLWLHVZLWKQRMREVHFXULW\
 :RPHQUHSRUWHGWKDWWKRVHZKRDUHPHPEHUVRI6+*V most of which are linked to government
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schemes and are better able to identify and leverage income-generating opportunities.
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less are in SHGs. Also, very poor women
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individual resources, which poor women lack.
Still, some elected women representatives
advocated that if efforts are made, even they
could save and pool small amounts as many
poor women already deposit money in savings
DFFRXQWVRIWKHLUORFDOSRVWRIFHV

Women understand saving and

are in the habit of it because they
know they might need it for a
childs marriage, for purchasing
livestock or for other necessities.
Men might earn but they dont
save much at all.

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We already work in construction

sites and farms. If we can do such
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do other work. We can also set up
shops and tailor clothes.
We can do many things
give us proper work.

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reduced investment in girls education
and higher dropout rates due to lack
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discontinue their daughters education after
primary and secondary school.
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leave their children when they go out to work,
implying a lack of child care infrastructure
and crches in work places.

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Photo @ UN Women/Divya Gupta

GAURAMMA
Toil, sweat, tears and no high

We do double work because we do domestic work and the bulk of

tobacco farming. Sometimes, I do feel that why do I have to do this
double work? But I have to because otherwise, how will we eat?
It was a full house at the gram sabha37 in Periyapatna, a tobacco-growing belt and administrative
unit located in Mysore, which is the cultural capital of Indias southern state of Karnataka.
48-year-old Gauramma was in quiet attendance but after the meeting was over, she was the most
forthcoming among a group of women tobacco farmers huddled together to share their challenges.
From Karnatakas dominant Gowda caste primarily agriculturalists shes conscious of
EULQJLQJDJXHVWLQWRKHUKXPEOHVXUURXQGLQJVVFUDPEOHVWRQGDFKDLUDQGFOHDUVVSDFHWRVLW
Soft-spoken with a pleasant smile, there is a simplicity and innocence about her manner, a matter-
of-factness in her responses and no time for self-pity.
,QPRVWGHYHORSLQJFRXQWULHVZRPHQFRQVWLWXWHDODUJHSURSRUWLRQRUPDMRULW\RIWKHDJULFXOWXUDO
ODERXUIRUFHERWKLQVKHHUQXPEHUVDQGWKHLUFRQWULEXWLRQWRIRRGSURGXFWLRQ:RPHQFRQVWLWXWH
SHUFHQWRI,QGLDVDJULFXOWXUDOZRUNIRUFH and all farm-related activities Their average contribution
LVHVWLPDWHGDWSHUFHQW of the total labour. Most of the women farmers are also marginal or
VPDOOIDUPHUVODQGOHVVWHQDQWIDUPHUVDQGIDUPODERXU7KH\PRVWO\FXOWLYDWHRQVPDOOSORWVRI
acres and are very often involved in labour-intensive activities such as transplantations and weeding
RSHUDWLRQV,QDGGLWLRQWRGHSHQGHQF\RQUDLQVWKH\DUHDOVROLPLWHGE\ODFNRIDFFHVVWRLQQRYDWLYH
technologies, capital or credit facilities and low levels of awareness on how to increase production.
INTERSECTIONALITY:,OOLWHUDWHVPDOOVFDOHPDUJLQDOWREDFFRIDUPHUVHDVRQDOPLJUDQW.
Footnotes overleaf



0\ QDPH LV *DXUDPPD ,P PDUULHG DQG KDYH

two sons and a girl. All three are married. My
younger son stays with me along with his family.
We have two acres of land and grow tobacco,
which is our main source of livelihood. We also
grow Ragi and some other crops but only when
it rains. For the last two years, it has rained
very little and so we have been working on rich
peoples farmlands nearby or slightly far away
DV PLJUDQW ODERXU IRU VWUHWFKHV RI  GD\V DW
a time.
, ZRUN IRU IRXU PRQWKV QRQVWRS GXULQJ WKH
tobacco-growing season. On a small portion of
JRRG IHUWLOH ODQG , UVW VSULQNOH WKH VHHGV WR
grow saplings. They have to grow in a secure,
FRQWUROOHG HQYLURQPHQW  WKHUH VKRXOG QRW EH
too much sand, shade or rain. Depending on the
VHDVRQZHJURZDQ\ZKHUHEHWZHHQ
VDSOLQJV 2QH VDSOLQJ JLYHV  OHDYHV 7KHQ ,
transfer the saplings into tiny containers and
nurture and water them for a month before
WUDQVIHUULQJ WKHP WR WKH HOG 7KHUH ZH VRZ
HDFKRQHDWOHDVWFHQWLPHWUHVDSDUW

We women do a lot more work

than our men
I feel this from my heart.
:HZRPHQGRDORWPRUHZRUNWKDQRXUPHQ,
feel this from my heart. Men work the tractors in
WKHHOGVEXWZRPHQGRDOOWKHKDQGEDVHGDQG
WLPHFRQVXPLQJ ZRUN  ,W LV ZRPHQ ZKR WDNH
care for three months daily until the saplings
grow into big tobacco leaves. We tend to them,
water them, remove weeds regularly and apply
fertiliser.
$WOHDVWZRPHQZRUNWRJHWKHURQDWREDFFR
IDUPODQG ,W FDQQRW EH GRQH DORQH DQG VR ZH
hire each other. When the plant is ripe for the
leaves to be clipped off, again women do it and

pile them onto the tractor. The entire tractor can

EHOOHGLQRQHGD\EXWLWWDNHVKRXUV7KHQ
we carefully take each leaf and weave it into a
URSHWLHGWRDVWLFNLWVOLNHPDNLQJDKDLUSODLW
and once the stick is covered completely with
WREDFFROHDYHV,KDQJWKRVHVWLFNVXSLQDURRP
behind my house, apply heat for them to dry
and then make big bundles to load into a truck.

I live on medicines and

painkillers everyday. The day I
dont have medicine, I cant sleep.
We do double work because we do domestic work
and the bulk of tobacco farming. Sometimes,
, GR IHHO WKDW ZK\ GR , KDYH WR GR WKLV GRXEOH
ZRUN" %XW , KDYH WR EHFDXVH RWKHUZLVH KRZ
ZLOOZHHDW"6ROLIHLVGLIFXOWWKHSUHVVXUHLV
always there.
When its time to sell, mostly men go to the
market with the tobacco bundles on a tractor or
trucks come to our doorstep through agents as
ZHOO,IWKHUDLQVDUHJRRGZHFDQJURZWREDFFR
SURSHUO\ RQ RXU ODQG )RU SURGXFLQJ 
NLORJUDPV WKH LQYHVWPHQW LV  UXSHHV
 GROODUV DQG WKH SURW LV DERXW 
UXSHHVGROODUV,ILWGRHVQWUDLQZHOOWKHQ
LIWKHLQYHVWPHQWLVUXSHHVGROODUV
\RX JHW WKH VDPH DPRXQW EDFN  WKHUH LV QR
SURW6RZHKDYHWRDVVHVVKRZPXFKZRUNWR
put in if we anticipate losses in some year due to
the lack of rainfall. Recently, there has also been
LQDWLRQ:HJHWGLIIHUHQWUDWHVIRUEODFNOHDYHV
> UXSHHV  GROODUV SHU NLORJUDP@ JUHHQ
OHDYHV > UXSHHV  GROODUV SHU NLORJUDP@
DQG\HOORZOHDYHV>UXSHHVGROODUVSHU
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,IWKHJRYHUQPHQWFDQKHOSXVWRJHWWKHKLJKHVW
UDWHRIUXSHHVSHUNLORJUDPGROODUVIRU
all types of tobacco we sell, whether it is black,
JUHHQRU\HOORZ,ZLOOEHVDWLVHGDQGKDSS\


*UDP6DEKDLVDPHHWLQJRIDOOWKHDGXOWFLWL]HQYRWHUVRIWKHYLOODJH,WLVHPSRZHUHGWRVXSSRUWRUWRSSOHWKHJUDP
SDQFKD\DWERG\ZKLFKLVWKHORFDOVHOIJRYHUQPHQWDWWKHYLOODJHOHYHOLQ,QGLD7KLVJUDPVDEKDFDQSUHVVXUHWKH
JUDPSDQFKD\DWWRWDNHGHFLVLRQVDQGIDFLOLWDWHWKHPRGLFDWLRQRIZHDNGHFLVLRQVZKHQHYHUWKH\IHHO$FFRUGLQJWRD
government act, gram sabha meetings should compulsorily be held two times in a year at a minimum, although they can
be convened as and when necessary and as many times as needed.

,QGLD3ODQQLQJ&RPPLVVLRQ5HSRUWRI6XE*URXSRQ*HQGHUDQG$JULFXOWXUH1HZ'HOKLS$YDLODEOHIURP

KWWSSODQQLQJFRPPLVVLRQQLFLQDERXWXVFRPPLWWHHZUNJUSZJBVXEJHQDJUSGIDFFHVVHG-XQH




Research Foundation for Science, Technology and Ecology. Impact of WTO on Women in Agriculture (National
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)LQJHUPLOOHWZKLFKLVDEXQGDQWO\SURGXFHGLQWKHVRXWKHUQ,QGLDQVWDWHRI.DUQDWDND





Growing tobacco generates a lot of heat

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WKH ERG\ , XVHG WR JHW D ORW RI VWRPDFK
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and need an operation. My chest hurts
occasionally but my hands and knees hurt
often because of the all the bending in the
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LQ WKH VXQ JLYHV PH KHDGDFKHV , OLYH RQ
medicines and painkillers everyday. The
GD\,GRQWKDYHPHGLFLQH,FDQWVOHHS

When I dont work

LQWKHHOG
my hands and feet
remain cleaner and softer.
Women who dont work
RXWLQWKHHOGVRUGRDVPXFK
physical work as women
farmers remain cleaner
and happier.
:KHQ,GRQWZRUNLQWKHHOGP\KDQGV
and feet remain cleaner and softer.
:RPHQZKRGRQWZRUNRXWLQWKHHOGV
and do as much physical work as women
farmers like me remain cleaner and
KDSSLHU,I,GLGQWZRUNVRPXFK,FRXOG
spend more time with my children and
grandchildren, take them to school, give
WKHPWLIQ and help my daughter-in-law
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some income weaving rope and making
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and making pillows and bed covers made
from sarisLWLVDOVRKDQGEDVHGZRUN
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$GD\LQWKHOLIHRI*DXUDPPD
DPDP During the tobacco-growing
VHDVRQ , JHW XS E\ DP RWKHUZLVH E\ DP
RU DP 7KHQ , PDNH WHD IRU P\VHOI DQG ULFH
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expensive. Theres no time to think too much about
food. Our staple food is dal44 and rice. We cant live
ZLWKRXW LW  6R , PDNH WKDW IRU WKH GD\ DQG WDNH
VRPH IRU P\VHOI WR WKH HOG IRU OXQFK 7KH UHVW LV
for my family members. Theres no water at home
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OHDYHIRUWKHHOGZKLFKLVODWHVWE\DP
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anything on my land for two years because of lack
RIUDLQ6R,ZRUNRQRWKHUSHRSOHVIDUPVIRU
UXSHHVGROODUVSHUGD\,EDUHO\KDYH
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all that work. We take whatever food we need
for our stay from home like rice, dal, vegetables,
VSLFHVHWF,WVDORWWRFDUU\EXWLWVFKHDSHUWRWDNH
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6pm-8pm:,ZDVKFORWKHVDQGDOVRKDYHRQHFRZ
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7KHQ,PDNHGLQQHUZKLFKLVdal and rice again.
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0\KXVEDQGGULQNVEXWKHKDVQRWKLWPH,FOHDQ
up and take medicine before going to bed to prevent
back and body pains at night.

Lunch box.



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on top.



Green chillies.



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44



Photo @ UN Women/Pranab K. Aich

KALYANI SATPATI
No wings beneath my feet

Earlier, I still had a few dreams but now I dont have any because they
QHYHUJHWIXOOOHG,GLGQRWJHWDQ\UHWXUQVIURPP\HGXFDWLRQ,ZDV
better illiterate than having wasted everyones energy over nothing.
:LWKJUHDWGLIFXOW\.DO\DQLVZLGRZHGPRWKHUHQVXUHGWKDWDOOKHUQLQHFKLOGUHQZHUHHGXFDWHG
at least till college, so that they would not be dependent on anyone later in life. The youngest of the
siblings, 27-year-old Kalyani has been unemployed for four years, facing rejection after rejection,
despite having a graduate degree in Computer Science. She lives in Odishas Dhenkanal District,
a densely forested former princely state located on Indias southeast coast and among the most
backward districts in the country. With every passing day, her sense of disillusionment grows.
Her inability to support her now old and ailing mother, eats away at her. In a desperate act, she
FDUULHVKHUHGXFDWLRQDOFHUWLFDWHVZUDSSHGLQDSODVWLFVKHHWLQKHUEDJUHDG\WRVKDUHWKHPDW
any chance meeting that might result in a job.
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stagnated against the backdrop of otherwise relatively strong economic growth despite the global
GRZQWXUQ 6LQFH  LW KDV SRVVLEO\ GHFUHDVHG46 IURP  SHU FHQW WR  SHU FHQW47 as of June
,WLVDOVRKDOIWKHPDOH:35SHUFHQW7KHZDJHGLIIHUHQWLDOV between men and women
ZRUNHUVDOVRYDU\ZLGHO\ERWKDVVDODULHGHPSOR\HHV,15IRUPHQ,15IRUZRPHQDQG
FDVXDOODERXULQUXUDO,15IRUPHQ,15IRUZRPHQDQGXUEDQDUHDV,15IRUPHQ
,15ZRPHQ
INTERSECTIONALITY: Educated, graduate in computer science, unemployed, single, father
died early, eight siblings, lives with mother.
Footnotes overleaf



My name is Kalyani Satpati. My father expired

D ORQJ WLPH DJR , KDYH WZR EURWKHUV DQG VL[
sisters. My mother made sure that all nine
of us were educated. Everybody in my family
has completed graduation but they have been
XQDEOHWRQGJRRGMREV
,JUDGXDWHGZLWKDPDMRULQ&RPSXWHU6FLHQFH
(YHU\WKLQJZDVYHU\JRRGXQWLO,FRPSOHWHGP\
education but after that, my problems started.
0\DLPZDVWRJHWDJRRGJRYHUQPHQWMREDQG

Clearing the exams was not an

issue. The problem is that some
SHRSOHKDYHGLUHFWLQXHQFH
with higher authorities and so,
are able to get the jobs easily.
In fact, at times the job is
booked for them and
the selection exercise
is just a farce.

HDUQDERXWUXSHHVGROODUV
SHU PRQWK WKLQNLQJ LW ZLOO EH VXIFLHQW WR EH
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, WRRN DQ H[DP WR EHFRPH D VWDII QXUVH DQG
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force, then to a teachers post and even in the

EDQNLQJ VHFWRU EXW ZDV UHMHFWHG HYHU\ZKHUH

, DP YHU\ IUXVWUDWHG EHFDXVH RI WKLV FRQVWDQW
disappointment. Clearing the exams was not
an issue. The problem is that some people have
GLUHFWLQXHQFHZLWKKLJKHUDXWKRULWLHVDQGVR
DUHDEOHWRJHWWKHMREVHDVLO\,QIDFWDWWLPHVWKH
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and money can avail of anything and people
like us suffer. We are dependent only on luck.
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WKHP,FDQXQGHUVWDQGLIWKH\KDYHDKLJKFXW
off but if there is manipulation in the selection
of candidates, then it is not acceptable.
7KHQWKHUHLVWKHTXRWDV\VWHP0RUHWKDQKDOI
the seats are reserved for Scheduled Castes
(SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs) and Other
Backward Classes (OBCs). They dont even
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they will still be able to get it but that is not so
for general category people like me. For general
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laddoos51 and 2,000 rats (Too many candidates
applying for too few seats).
Four out of six sisters are yet to be married
EHFDXVH ZH DUH XQDEOH WR IXOO WKH GRZU\
demands made by the families of prospective
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without dowry. Everybody is demanding it.

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Development Goals, India Country Report 1HZ'HOKL$YDLODEOHIURPKWWSPRVSLQLFLQPRVSLBQHZXSORDG
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46
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47



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The terms adivasis is used interchangeably with Scheduled Tribes and is an umbrella term for a set of ethnic and
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The list of other backward classes is a dynamic list of castes and communities considered backward and marginalised

but which do not fall under Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes. Among the most notable recommendations of the
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backward class.
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that kind of money from if there is no employment? There
are very few educated people who dont want dowry.
When we were young we had a lot of farmland and we used
to earn a lot from the crops we grew. That was our main
source of income but nowadays, no one is ready to work
on the agricultural land. When the government is giving
ULFH IRU  UXSHHV  GROODUV SHU NLORJUDP WKHQ
who will work on farmlands? So, we have land but it is
lying barren.
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much work for too little pay. Taking private tutorials is very
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day but tell students to come to them for private tutorials
later at home. So, the students obviously go to them.
Whether they learn something or not is of no concern to
these teachers.

I try to sleep and be positive

about the next day but
the disappointment has
already set in very deep.
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what is the guarantee that the business will be successful?
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money at the end of the month.
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than having wasted everyones energy over nothing.

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dont have anything else to do,
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mother and help her with routine
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my mother very happy.
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prepared in the morning for
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or speak to people about future
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end up being disappointed. When
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cross my mind.
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my sister coming back home and
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guilty and so, ask her not to.
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demands or wishes in front of
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feel like a burden. Everyone goes
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be positive about the next day but
the disappointment has already
set in very deep.



Photo @ UN Women/Praveen Kaliga

6$9,75,%2,<$1
Lifes all downhill

If someone is sick in our village, we have to carry him or her down on

a cot for three kilometres; sometimes people just die on the way down.
Belonging to the Sabar tribe, Savitri lives on a remote hilltop in Gajapati District, located in the
southern coastal state of Odisha and among the 250 most backward districts in India. There are no
schools, colleges, hospitals, proper roads or reliable electricity connections available in her village.
To earn income, she carries a bundle of broomsticks on her head and a polythene bag containing
some rice and water for the day and travels to the local weekly market, which is 8-9 kilometres
away from her village. On a good day, she earns 50-80 rupees (0.85-1.35 dollars) by selling the
EURRPVWLFNV6KHNQRZVWKHPRQH\LVQRWVXIFLHQWEXWKDVQRRWKHUOLYHOLKRRGRSWLRQV+HUJUHDWHVW
fear is that her children will lead the same life of insecurity and deprivation that she has.
,W LV ZLGHO\ NQRZQ DQG UHFRJQLVHG that the most marginalised and poorest people have been
largely by-passed by MDG progress. Tribal people, living mostly in hilly, forested or remote terrain,
FRQVWLWXWHSHUFHQWDSSUR[LPDWHO\PLOOLRQSHRSOHRI,QGLDVSRSXODWLRQ$OPRVWKDOIWKH
tribal population lives in poverty and their poverty level is closer to where the general population
ZDV\HDUVDJR$WSHUFHQWWKHOLWHUDF\UDWHDPRQJWULEDOZRPHQLQUXUDO,QGLDLVPRUHWKDQ
SHUFHQWORZHUWKDQWKHQDWLRQDODYHUDJHSHUFHQW). Child and maternal mortality remain
much higher among tribal people than the general population. Tribal women are also the most
malnourished and tribal children are most likely to be undernourished, stunted or wasted than any
other social grouping.
INTERSECTIONALITY: Tribal woman, illiterate, lives on remote hilltop, lives in a stone house,
marginal farmer.
Footnotes overleaf



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choose our own husbands. The only important
thing is the girls consent.

There was no material available

to build our houses except big
stones. We used to heat these
ELJVWRQHVLQUHWRDYHU\KLJK
temperature. When they would
weaken, we would break them
into small manageable pieces
and use those to build our houses.
We used mud to bind the stones
together. After the rains, we had
to build our houses afresh.
6LQFH P\ ELUWK , KDYH EHHQ OLYLQJ LQ WKH VDPH
place. My father and mother also stay in the
same village. When we were young, there was
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no water, nothing. There was no material
available to build our houses except big stones.
:HXVHGWRKHDWWKHVHELJVWRQHVLQUHWRDYHU\
high temperature. When they would weaken, we
would break them into small manageable pieces
and use those to build our houses. We used mud
to bind the stones together. After the rains, we

had to build our houses afresh. The land on

which our house stands is not even balanced.
The condition is slightly better today but there
is still no material available to build houses.
We cannot use cement or any other binding
material because vehicles needed to transport
these materials cannot reach our village.
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JURZ 5DJL PDL]H DQG RWKHU FURSV :H FDQQRW
grow paddy because there is no water available
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a cleared forestland. We only farm for self-
consumption and even that produce is not
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There is no food security of any kind. We live
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something to eat today and might not have
anything tomorrow.
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tamarind and tendu leaves but there is not
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NLORPHWUHVWRMXVWUHDFKWKHEDVHRIWKHKLOODQG
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stand. From there we either have to take a bus
and spend money or walk down another two
kilometres to sell our things in the local weekly

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to buy onions, peppers, oil or anything else. So,
my focus is on producing food for my family so
that we can at least eat something.
We want to live in the plains but there is no land
available there. We dont have enough money
to buy land even for a house, so we have no
option but to stay on the hilltop. Who will give
us the land? Who will let us stay on their land?
,I ZH OLYHG LQ WKH SODLQV ZH ZRXOG QG EHWWHU
employment. Everybody there is able to do
something. They are leading a better life than
us. They are more modern. There have been
changes in our village, too, but we are still lagging

If we lived in the plains,

ZHZRXOGQGEHWWHUHPSOR\PHQW
Everybody there is able to do
something. They are leading a
better life than us. They are more
modern. There have been changes
in our village, too, but we are still
lagging far behind.
far behind. The poles are there but we do not
receive any electricity. There is no availability of
drinking water, especially in the months of April
and May. We really have to struggle for those two
months. We have to travel a minimum of three
kilometres to access an anganwadi or medical
FHQWUH,IVRPHRQHLVYHU\VLFNLQRXUYLOODJHZH
have to carry him or her down on a cot for three
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way down. We have a school, but hardly anyone
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my younger son admitted in a school but he had
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everyday. So, he left it.
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the plains because it will take a lot of time for
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for my family to live and eat well.

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day gets disturbed. After freshening up,
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rest before leaving home for work, which is
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husband so that they can start their day.
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of the day so that everyone is served in time.
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husband so that we can get something to
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long hours in the sun but cannot refuse to
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same day, otherwise the whole days hard
work goes to waste.
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dinner. My husband usually goes out to
drink with his friends.
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GLQQHU EHFDXVH , NQRZ WKHUH LV QR SRLQW
waiting for my husband. He usually returns
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the house after my husband comes back, we
XVXDOO\JRRIIWRVOHHSE\SP,JHWVRWLUHG
after the days work that it hardly takes me
two minutes to go off to sleep.


Anganwadi PHDQVFRXUW\DUGVKHOWHULQ+LQGLDQGUHIHUVWRQXWULWLRQFHQWUHVWKDWZHUHVWDUWHGE\WKH,QGLDQ
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hunger at the village level.

Duty in Hindi.





Photo @ UN Women/Praveen Kaliga

LACHAMMA
Home is where the heart and hunger is

The routine at the construction site was only work and sleep; there was
no interaction because everybody was so tired. Village life is certainly
better but there is no source of income here.
Lachamma keeps staring at her hands, which have developed hard skin edges, signalling that
shes been engaged in hard physical labour to earn a living. She lives in Salur, a predominantly
tribal municipality about 100 kilometres away from the port city of Vishakapatnam, located on
Indias south-eastern coast. Dressed in a sari62 with torn ends, she is a widow and 40-45 years of
age although she feels like an 80-year-old buddi63 amma.64 Desperate for regular income, her
physical appearance is telling of her abject state, which has forced her into seasonal migration and
to perform backbreaking labour at construction sites far away from home. She vows never to go
through that anguish and drudgery again, even if she goes hungry.
7KH 8QLWHG 1DWLRQV ,QWHUQDWLRQDO &RQYHQWLRQ RQ WKH 3URWHFWLRQ RI WKH 5LJKWV RI $OO 0LJUDQW
Workers and Members of Their Families was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly as
IDUEDFNDV,WFRQVWLWXWHGDFRPSUHKHQVLYHWUHDW\IRUWKHSURWHFWLRQRIPLJUDQWZRUNHUVULJKWV
DQG HQWHUHG LQWR IRUFH LQ  $OWKRXJK ,QGLD KDV QRW UDWLHG WKH WUHDW\ LQ  DQ HVWLPDWHG
PLOOLRQ66SHRSOHDSSUR[LPDWHO\SHUFHQWRIWKHSRSXODWLRQZHUHUHFRUGHGDVPLJUDQWVLQ
WKHFRXQWU\2YHUWKH\HDUSHULRGEHWZHHQWKHLQFUHDVHLQIHPDOHPLJUDQWVSHU
cent) was more than double67RIPHQSHUFHQW0LJUDWLRQ can provide a vital source of income
IRUZRPHQDQGWKHLUIDPLOLHVDQGHDUQWKHPJUHDWHUDXWRQRP\VHOIFRQGHQFHDQGVRFLDOVWDWXV
However, particularly if they are seasonal or irregular migrants, it also exposes them to greater
possible verbal, physical and sexual abuse, poor housing and living conditions, low wages and
economic exploitation, long working hours, insecurity and upon return, broken families, ill-health
and poverty.
INTERSECTIONALITY: Seasonal migrant, tribal woman, illiterate, widow, abandoned by
children, hunger, landless, asset less, unskilled, no source of livelihood in village.
Footnotes overleaf



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$V D \RXQJ JLUO , UHPHPEHU ZRUNLQJ D ORW LQ
WKH IRUHVW DQG HOGV ZLWK P\ IDPLO\ 7KUHH
days after my birth, my mother expired. My
father remarried soon after. My stepmothers
treatment towards me was not very good and
, XVHG WR IHHO YHU\ EDG DERXW LW $IWHU VRPH
time, my father expired, too. Our stepmother
abandoned my younger sister and me and so,
the responsibility to take care of her fell on me.

When I left the village, I was told

that it is not very hard work but
when I went to the construction
site, I found out that the work was
very hard and we were not paid
enough for our work.
0\VLVWHUDQG,XVHGWRPDNHYHU\OLWWOHPRQH\
and whatever we made was spent on her
HGXFDWLRQ,WRRNLWXSRQP\VHOIWRHGXFDWHKHU
so that she could do something with her life. She
FRPSOHWHGth standard and is an anganwadi
ZRUNHU WRGD\ $W WKH WLPH ZKHQ , ZDV \RXQJ
, GLG QRW UHDOLVH WKH LPSRUWDQFH RI HGXFDWLRQ
because there was so much work to do but
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have studied, too.

My neighbour, who is a close family member

and also like my father, took the initiative and
got me married to a boy from the neighbouring
YLOODJHULJKWDIWHU,JDLQHGSXEHUW\0\KXVEDQG
ZDVDJRRGPDQKHVPRNHGEXWQHYHUGUDQN+H
QHYHUEHDWPHHYHQRQFH+HXQGHUVWRRGWKDW,
had to take care of my sister and supported me.
He died at a very young age, when my children
were still babies. He suffered from tuberculosis.
, EURXJKW XS P\ FKLOGUHQ DOO E\ P\VHOI DQG
QDQFHGWKHLUZHGGLQJVEXWWKH\DEDQGRQHGPH
and now, at this age, there is no one to support
PH,XVHGWRZRUNLQWKHHOGVHDUOLHUEXWQRZ
WKHUH LV QR ZRUN 6R , FKRVH WR ZRUN RXWVLGH
RXUYLOODJH6LQFH,OLYHDOODORQHP\QHLJKERXUV
IRUFHG PH WR FRPH DORQJ ZLWK WKHP DQG , ZDV
WROGWKDW,ZRXOGEHSDLGJRRGPRQH\IRUZRUN
RXWVLGH WKH YLOODJH 7KH ZLGRZ SHQVLRQ RI 
UXSHHVGROODUVSHUPRQWKLVQRWVXIFLHQW
, WUDYHOOHG IURP P\ YLOODJH WR 9L]LDQDJDUDP
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then travelled the whole day to the construction
VLWHE\EXV,WZDVDYHU\WLULQJMRXUQH\,ZHQW
WKHUHWZLFHWKLV\HDUDQGWKH\HDUEHIRUHODVW
for two months each.
Life at the construction site was very tiring.
, KDYH QHYHU GRQH VXFK ZRUN , XVHG WR VHLYH
and dump mud from nine in the morning to
six in the evening, with only a lunch break in
the afternoon. We were three people working
together, taking turns to sieve and carry the
VDQG :H ZHUH SDLG  UXSHHV  GROODUV


Also spelt as Saree, it is a strip of unstitched cloth, worn by women, ranging from four to nine yards in length that is
GUDSHGRYHUWKHERG\LQYDULRXVVW\OHVZKLFKLVQDWLYHWRWKH,QGLDQ6XEFRQWLQHQW

Old or aged.



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JUDQGPRWKHU,QFROORTXLDOXVDJHLQWKH,QGLDQ6XEFRQWLQHQWLWLVRIWHQXVHGWRGHVFULEHDQROGZRPDQLQDVRPHZKDW
mocking manner.

64



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66

67

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hunger at the village level.



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ZDV YHU\ GLIFXOW WR OLYH LQ WKRVH KRXVHV (YHU\ERG\
had to cram up and sleep in one room. The routine
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because everybody was so tired. The contractor at the
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even give us a tablet if we fell sick. Even when we were
sick, we had to work. They were not concerned about our
KHDOWKZHKHOSHGHDFKRWKHU0\YLOODJHSHRSOHZHUHP\
PDLQVXSSRUW:KHQHYHU,IHOWIHYHULVK,XVHGWRGULQN
hot water to get better.

It was very tiring work; nothing

like the kind of work we used to do in
the forests. I felt cheated because we
were told that the work would not
be very laborious.
:KHQ,OHIWWKHYLOODJH,ZDVWROGWKDWLWLVQRWYHU\KDUG
ZRUNEXWZKHQ,ZHQWWKHUH,IRXQGRXWWKDWWKHZRUN
was very hard and we were not paid enough for our work.
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ZDV QR ZD\ , FRXOG KDYH OHIW WKDW SODFH DORQH DQG ZH
could not leave the construction site before completing
two months.
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LQFRPH KHUH , XVHG WR HDUQ  UXSHHV 
dollars) per day in the village through the government
employment guarantee scheme but the work is not
DOZD\V DYDLODEOH ,W LV RQO\ IRU  GD\V DQG WKH
DJULFXOWXUDO VHDVRQ LV DOVR IRU D SHULRG RI  PRQWKV
only. For the rest of the year, there is a gap.
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work now.

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Lachamma
DPDP We used to wake up
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a bath in the makeshift bathrooms
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horrible experience.
8am-9am: We were given tea
and bread for breakfast. We are
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somehow.
9am-7pm: We used to work at
the construction site with a lunch
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kind of work we used to do in the
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were told that the work would not
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till the work was completed.
7pm-8pm: We would wait in
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8pm-9pm: After dinner, we
would go back to our rooms
to sleep. There were too many
people sharing the same room and
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thinking of my village and the
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My village people used to console
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it will all be over soon.



N U T R I T I O N , F O O D S E C U R I T Y
& H U N G E R
Food security70 exists when all people, at all times, have physical, social and economic access to
VXIFLHQWVDIHDQGQXWULWLRXVIRRGWRPHHWWKHLUGLHWDU\QHHGVDQGIRRGSUHIHUHQFHVIRUDQDFWLYH
DQGKHDOWK\OLIHDVGHQHGE\)$2&RQYHUVHO\DKRXVHKROGLVFRQVLGHUHGIRRGVHFXUH71 when its
occupants do not live in hunger or fear of starvation.
Nutrition72 is the sum total of the processes involved in taking and utilising food substances
by which growth, repair and maintenance of the body are accomplished. It involves ingestion,
digestion, absorption and assimilation. Nutrients are stored by the body in various forms and
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Hunger73 is the uneasy or painful sensation and the exhausted condition caused by want of food
and the scarcity of food in a country.
Starvation74 is a state of extreme hunger resulting from lack of essential nutrients over a prolonged
period.
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long-term development.
Women, especially in rural societies, are the fulcrum around which a familys food security revolves.
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and small-scale farmers. They are thus being forced to work as daily wage agricultural labour or
migrant labour to make ends meet and feed their children and families. Women are also taking on
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the government employment guarantee scheme in village construction works. The governments
SXEOLFGLVWULEXWLRQV\VWHPLVQRWDGGUHVVLQJWKHEDVLFIRRGQHHGVRISRRUKRXVHKROGVDGHTXDWHO\GXH
WRFRUUXSWLRQOHDNDJHDQGLQFRUUHFWLGHQWLFDWLRQRIWKHSRRU
,Q DGGLWLRQ H[LVWLQJ VRFLDO DQG FXOWXUDO QRUPV VWLOO SURPRWH QXWULWLRQDO GLVFULPLQDWLRQ HVSHFLDOO\
in rural households. The nutrition of boys and men is given priority over that of girls and women
DQG WKH ZKROH IDPLO\V QXWULWLRQ WDNHV SUHFHGHQFH RYHU WKDW RI WKH ZRPDQ RI WKH KRXVHKROG ,Q
marginalised populations, undernourishment and malnutrition are pronounced due to remoteness,

FAO Practical Guide: Basic Concepts of Food Security (&)$2)RRG6HFXULW\3URJUDPPH$YDLODEOHIURP

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74

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lack of livelihood options and structural neglect and discrimination. There is also an increased
threat to the traditional sources of nutrition and protein accessed from forests by tribal people due
WRHVFDODWLQJFRQLFWRYHUQDWXUDOUHVRXUFHVIRXQGLQDEXQGDQWVXSSO\ZKHUHVXFKSRSXODWLRQVDUH
concentrated. Again, single women (elderly, widows, disabled, orphaned, abandoned, living with
GLVDELOLW\RU+,9DQG$,'6DUHIRXQGWREHWKHPRVWYXOQHUDEOHLQWHUPVRIIRRGLQVHFXULW\KXQJHU
and starvation.

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0'*(5$',&$7((;75(0(329(57<$1'+81*(5
TARGETS
INDICATORS
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proportion of people who suffer from hunger
XQGHUYH\HDUVRIDJH
3URSRUWLRQRISRSXODWLRQEHORZPLQLPXP
level of dietary energy consumption
 $GGUHVVLQJ VWDUYDWLRQ DQG H[WUHPH KXQJHU LV FHUWDLQO\ WKH PRVW LPPHGLDWH SULRULW\ RI DQ\
countrys food policy. However, it was a minimalist target to set for an otherwise ambitious
JOREDOGHYHORSPHQWIUDPHZRUNZLWKD\HDUWLPHOLQHZKLFKVKRXOGKDYHLQFOXGHGWDUJHWVWR
promote strong nutritional intake at the individual level, especially among the most vulnerable
sections of the population and strongly bolster food security at the country level.
 &RQVHTXHQWO\ WKH 0'* IUDPHZRUN IDLOHG WR IDFWRU LQ PXOWLSOH DVSHFWV ZLWK D EHDULQJ RQ
DGGUHVVLQJKXQJHUDQGIRRGVHFXULW\VXFKDVVXIFLHQWIRRGSURGXFWLRQHTXLWDEOHDQGHIIHFWLYH
distribution and factors such as rise of food prices, which can be extraneous.
 (YHU\ WKLUG ZRPDQ LQ ,QGLD LV XQGHUQRXULVKHG DQG HYHU\ VHFRQG ZRPDQ LV DQDHPLF
,QUXUDO,QGLDDQDHPLDDQGPDOQRXULVKPHQWLVPRUHSURQRXQFHGDPRQJZRPHQDQGJLUOVGXH
to the nutritional discrimination76 WKH\ IDFH ZLWKLQ WKH IDPLO\ 3UHJQDQW ZRPHQ DUH OLNHO\ WR
be more anaemic than non-pregnant women77. Maternal under-nourishment, in turn, can
OHDGWRELUWKRIXQGHUZHLJKWEDELHVZKRPD\EHPRUHSURQHWRLOOQHVVDVFKLOGUHQDQGDGXOWV,W
has serious adverse implications for physical growth (stunting) and intellectual development.
Maternal deprivation adversely affects the health of the foetus, which, in turn, leads to long-
term health risks that extend into childhood and adulthood. Despite such alarming trends of
systemic under-nourishment found among women over time, the MDG on hunger did not factor
DQ\JHQGHUVSHFLFLQGLFDWRUVRUFUXFLDOVRFLDOFXOWXUDOHFRQRPLFJHRJUDSKLFDQGJHQHUDWLRQDO
factors responsible for these trends or the strong links between womens nutrition and child
health.
4. Although the goal did include an indicator on minimum level of dietary energy consumption, its
HIFDF\ZDVDJDLQGLOXWHGGXHWRWKHHPSKDVLVRQQDWLRQDODJJUHJDWHVDQGFDOFXODWLQJSURSRUWLRQ
of population rather than more direct and accountable indicators such as number of people
OLYLQJEHORZDPLQLPXPOHYHORIGLHWDU\HQHUJ\FRQVXPSWLRQ,WZDVDOVRQRWHQWLUHO\FOHDUZKDW
the minimum level of dietary energy consumption entailed as measures of calorie and nutritional
consumption also differ from country to country, like poverty lines.
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76
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77
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Women of India Speak

 0DQ\ ZRPHQ LQ GLIIHUHQW VWDWHV LGHQWLHG
shifting weather patterns and successive rain
and crop failure as the reasons for increased
food insecurity and poverty. These women
VDLG WKH\ FDQ QR ORQJHU ZRUN RQ WKHLU HOGV
and climate change manifests in the shape of
reduction in crop yield as well as loss of fertile
soil. The effects are being felt in the form of
displacement from their primary occupation,
food insecurity, debt burden and, in extreme
cases, landlessness.

Strength comes from eating

proper food but women think of
themselves last.

Earlier women used to eat

ZHOOWKH\DWHGHVLJKHHFODULHG
butter) and had more strength;
QRZWKH\XVHUHQHGRLODQGDUH
therefore, weak. Earlier women
used to eat healthy food and
FKDNNLNDDWWDJURXQGHGRXU
Earlier they didnt work outside
so much because there wasnt
so much alcoholism among men
and they used to work more.
Men were also more aware of
their responsibilities earlier.
Now women have to work more
because their men
are in the habit of drinking
and remaining idle.

 :RPHQ DUH FRQFHUQHG DERXW WKH LPSDFW RI

climate change on nutrition and increased
household expenditure as they now have to
buy vegetables instead of growing them. They also screen food items based on cost rather than
nutrition. The reduced intake of nutritious food is especially impacting women, who eat the last
or least due to their nurturing caregivers roles and nutritional discrimination in rural households.
3UROHRQSDJHH[DPLQHVWKHGHYDVWDWLQJLPSDFWRIFOLPDWHFKDQJHRQUXUDOOLYHOLKRRGV
especially in entirely rain-dependent areas and how it is adversely impacting nutrition and
leading to extreme food insecurity.
 6RPH ZRPHQ SRLQWHG RXW WKDW IRRG VHFXULW\ LV QRW DQ LVVXH ZLWK YLOODJHV ZKR KDYH DOWHUQDWH
irrigation sources, as they are not dependent on the rains. These villages have green pastures
and the yield is excellent. On the other hand, villages without irrigation are suffering from crop
failure and food insecurity and are caught in a debt trap. Women from these villages shared that
WKH\IDFHGVXFKDFULVLVWKLV\HDUWKDWWKHLUHOGVGULHGXSDQGWKHUHZDVQRIRRGRUZDWHUHYHQ
for the livestock. Women belonging to this group reported a total regression in their standards
of living. 3UROHRQSDJHVKHGVOLJKWRQKRZWKHODFNRIOLYHOLKRRGRSWLRQVDQGUHVXOWLQJ
hunger are forcing women to increasingly work as migrants without any social security, social
protection or workers rights.
 6RPHZRPHQUHSRUWHGFDVHVRIVHYHUHPDOQXWULWLRQDPRQJZRPHQDQGFKLOGUHQLQWKHLUYLOODJHV
 :RPHQ FLWHG FKDOOHQJHV ZLWK WKH JRYHUQPHQW IRRG GLVWULEXWLRQ system, targeted mainly at
people living below the poverty line. They shared that food insecurity is so acute that they have
witnessed incidents of violence over even one kilogram of rice distribution.

  3XEOLF 'LVWULEXWLRQ 6\VWHP 3'6 LV DQ ,QGLDQ IRRG VHFXULW\ V\VWHP HVWDEOLVKHG E\ WKH *RYHUQPHQW RI ,QGLD ZKLFK
distributes subsidised food and non-food items to people living below the national poverty line.




 0DQ\ZRPHQGUHZDOLQNEHWZHHQDOFRKROLVPDQGJUHDWHUSRYHUW\IRRGLQVHFXULW\DQGJHQGHU
based violence in the household.
 :RPHQVKDUHGWKDWWKHUHLVEHWWHUDYDLODELOLW\
of nutritional facilities for children through
anganwadis and increased number of
institutional deliveries, resulting in improved
overall health of mothers and children.
However, women living in remote areas
reported concerns about nutrition centres
being too far from their villages to access,
LQDGHTXDWH LQIUDVWUXFWXUH RI WKH FHQWUHV DQG
arbitrary distribution of meals.

Men are not bothered if there

is anything in the house to eat
or not but at the time of eating,
they want a full meal. If it is not
provided or served late, it becomes
a reason for violence

 6RPH ZRPHQ SRLQWHG RXW WKDW HQVXULQJ QXWULWLRQ IRU SHRSOH ZLWK GLVDELOLWLHV UHTXLUHV JUHDWHU
attention but there was positive feedback regarding the current availability food cards for
SHRSOHOLYLQJZLWK+,93/+,9LQVRPHSODFHV

AnganwadiPHDQVFRXUW\DUGVKHOWHULQ+LQGLDQGUHIHUVWRQXWULWLRQFHQWUHVWKDWZHUHVWDUWHGE\WKH,QGLDQJRYHUQPHQW
LQDVSDUWRIWKH,QWHJUDWHG&KLOG'HYHORSPHQW6HUYLFHV6FKHPHVWRFRPEDWFKLOGPDOQXWULWLRQDQGKXQJHUDWWKH
village level.





E D U C A T I O N & L I T E R A C Y
7KH 8QLWHG 1DWLRQV (GXFDWLRQDO 6FLHQWLF DQG &XOWXUDO 2UJDQLVDWLRQ 81(6&2 LGHQWLHV WKH
UHODWLRQVKLS EHWZHHQ OLWHUDF\ HGXFDWLRQ DQG GHYHORSPHQW E\ UVW GHQLQJ GHYHORSPHQW as a
SURFHVVIRUHQODUJLQJSHRSOHVFKRLFHVZKLFKSULPDULO\UHHFWWKHGHVLUHWROHDGDORQJDQGKHDOWK\
life; acquire basic knowledge and have access to resources essential for a decent standard of living.
Development thus is thought of as a dynamic process, which empowers people and promotes
LPSRUWDQW FKDQJHV LQ WKHLU OLYHV EXW DOVR UHTXLUHV WKH SDUWLFLSDWLRQ RI HGXFDWHG VNLOOHG DQG
competent people in order to take place.
%DVHG RQ WKH DERYH LW GHQHV education as a process that provides knowledge, information
and skills, which, in turn bring about desirable changes in the way people think, feel and act.
7KH\DOVREXLOGDVWURQJVHQVHRIVHOIHVWHHPVHOIFRQGHQFHDQGFRQWULEXWHYHU\FRQVFLRXVO\WRWKH
realisation of human potential. The impact of education on development thus depends on content
and teaching methods. For education to become meaningful, it must provide the knowledge and
VNLOOVRIUHDGLQJZULWLQJVLPSOHDULWKPHWLFDQGSUREOHPVROYLQJIRULPSURYLQJWKHTXDOLW\RIOLIH
which implies OLWHUDF\ GHQHG E\ 81(6&2 DV WKH ability to identify, understand, interpret,
create, communicate and compute, using printed and written materials associated with varying
contexts.
Education, organised and oriented along the lines mentioned above, UNESCO argues, will have a
lasting impact on income, agricultural productivity, fertility rate, birth spacing, pre and post-natal
KHDOWKQXWULWLRQNQRZOHGJHDWWLWXGHVDQGYDOXHV3HRSOHZLWKUHDVRQDEOHOLWHUDF\DQGQXPHUDF\
VNLOOVWHQGWRSURGXFHPRUHIDUPFURSVKDYHOLPLWHGQXPEHURIFKLOGUHQDQGHQMR\DUHODWLYHO\EHWWHU
TXDOLW\RIOLIH
INTERSECTIONALITY:/DFNRIHGXFDWLRQHPSOR\PHQWDQGQDQFLDOLQGHSHQGHQFHGHWHUPLQH
shape and perpetuate womens subordinate status in their households, marriages and society.
6HYHUDOIDFWRUVKLQGHUJLUOVHGXFDWLRQHVSHFLDOO\KLJKHUHGXFDWLRQGLVWDQFHWRVFKRROVDQGFROOHJHV
security concerns, poverty, poor infrastructure such as poor roads and lack of sanitation, heavy
rains, social norms and pressures of contributing to household work, fetching water, early marriage,
producing children and working on farmlands. All of the above result in higher dropout rates among
girls, especially after primary school. Alcoholism and gender-based violence in the household also
impact childrens education adversely. Adult women suffer from very low levels of literacy and
WKXVQGLWGLIFXOWWRDFFHVVWKHLUEDVLFHQWLWOHPHQWVOHDGLQJWRDOLIHRIKDUGVKLSDQGVWUXJJOHDQG
exposing them to economic exploitation. Women belonging to marginalised communities such as
scheduled tribes and castes similarly suffer from low levels of literacy due to historic neglect, social
discrimination, poverty, socio-economic factors, living in remote areas and inaccessibility to schools
and colleges.

UNESCO, Relationship between literacy, education and development, (Training Manual for Local Government
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MDGs: Education & Literacy

MDG 2 ACHIEVE UNIVERSAL PRIMARY EDUCATION
TARGETS
7DUJHW$(QVXUHWKDWE\
children everywhere, boys and girls alike,
will be able to complete a full course of
primary schooling

INDICATORS
1HWHQUROPHQWUDWLRLQSULPDU\HGXFDWLRQ
3URSRUWLRQRISXSLOVVWDUWLQJJUDGHZKRUHDFK
last grade of primary
/LWHUDF\UDWHRI\HDUROGVZRPHQDQGPHQ

 %DVHGRQWKHGHQLWLRQVDQGFRQFHSWVDERYHZKLOHSDULW\LQQXPEHURIJLUOVDQGER\VDWWHQGLQJ
VFKRRO LV LPSRUWDQW WR SURPRWH JHQGHU HTXDOLW\ RI D FHUWDLQ NLQG WKH TXDOLW\ RI HGXFDWLRQ LV
HTXDOO\LPSRUWDQWLIQRWPRUHVRWKDWFKLOGUHQFDQDFWXDOO\OHDUQDEVRUEJDLQNQRZOHGJHJUDVS
concepts, open and grow their minds and develop the capacity for clear, original and independent
thinking. For these to take shape, especially for girls and women, other enabling factors in their
environments, referred to in the intersectionality section above, are crucial.
 (YLGHQFHDOVRGHPRQVWUDWHV that enrolment and completion rates are more accurate indicators
than the ratio of girls to boys in schools.
 $OWKRXJKIHPDOHOLWHUDF\LVDJRRGLQGLFDWRURIZRPHQVDGYDQFHPHQWWKHTXDOLW\RIWKHOLWHUDF\
GDWDFDQEHTXHVWLRQHG as some countries collect literacy information using sophisticated and
FRPSUHKHQVLYHWHFKQLTXHVZKLOHRWKHUVDUHQRWHYHQDEOHWRSURYLGHWKHPRVWEDVLFLQIRUPDWLRQ
Different countries also measure literacy differently.
4. The MDG framework as a whole failed
to address social exclusion implicitly
or explicitly, which has meant that
certain categories of women with
historically low levels of education
DQG UHTXLULQJ WDUJHWHG DWWHQWLRQ KDYH
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,QGLDWKH\LQFOXGHDGXOWZRPHQWULEDO
women, Dalit women and Muslim
women.
 7KH 0'* IUDPHZRUN DOVR PLVVHG
vital components of education such as
vocational education, legal education
and life skills, all of which have very
strong utility for poor people with little
or no formal literacy.

3UROH on page 46 sheds light on the

impact and pitfalls of low literacy among
DGXOWZRPHQLQUXUDO,QGLDWKHUHVXOWLQJ
economic exploitation, inability to access
basic entitlements and the increased
vulnerability, especially of single women.
3UROHRQWDNHVDMRXUQH\LQWRWKH
world of a Muslim woman, who managed
to get a good education and professional
RSSRUWXQLWLHVXQOLNHDPDMRULW\RIZRPHQ
from her community, but not without
going through all the hoops of resistance
to her mobility, freedom and choices from
childhood into adulthood.


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SUHVHQWHGDW,QWHUQDWLRQDO&RXQFLORQ6RFLDO:HOIDUH,&6:VW,QWHUQDWLRQDO&RQIHUHQFHRQ6RFLDO3URJUHVVDQG6RFLDO
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&ULWLTXHRIWKH0LOOHQQLXP'HYHORSPHQW*RDOVDFFHVVHG-XQH


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Dalit or Scheduled Caste is a designation for a group of people regarded as untouchable and occupying the lowest rung
of the Hindu caste system, which ordered and ranked humanity by innate spiritual purity.




Women of India Speak

 2QWKHSRVLWLYHIURQWZRPHQIHOWWKDWDZDUHQHVVOHYHOVKDYHLQFUHDVHGDPRQJUXUDOSHRSOHDERXW
the importance of education and health. This has helped accelerate development and improve
OLYLQJ VWDQGDUGV :RPHQ DUH PRUH DZDNHQHG DQG KDYH VWDUWHG UDLVLQJ WKHLU YRLFHV ,Q VRPH
communities and villages, womens self-help groups are vigilant about girl child education and
are monitoring the activities of government programmes.
 :RPHQDOVRUHSRUWHGSRVLWLYHFKDQJHVLQSULPDU\HGXFDWLRQDQGLPSURYHPHQWLQWKHIXQFWLRQLQJ
of schools. They felt that there is no discrimination between girls and boys. However, some
women did share that poor rural families still prefer to invest in education for boys rather than
girls, especially beyond primary level. Others alluded to subtle caste exclusion and differential
behaviour in child care and nutrition services delivered in villages through government schemes.
 *LUOV ZKR FRPSOHWH VHFRQGDU\ VFKRRO
DUH JHWWLQJ MREV VXFK DV PDQDJLQJ WKH
anganwadi, which is a good trend. Those
ZKRVWXG\IXUWKHUDUHJHWWLQJSULYDWHMREVLQ
hospitals as nurses or in schools as teachers
but these are still few.
 6HYHUDO IDFWRUV VXFK DV GLVWDQFH
inaccessibility, safety and lack of
transportation still constrain girls education,
especially after primary school.

If someone has the means like a

car or motorbike, then they drop
their girls to school or college.
If they can afford even a horse-
pulled rickshaw, it is possible.
Most of us our poor, so how do we
send them? We cant send them
alone. If someones the daughter
RIDJRYHUQPHQWRIFLDORUKDVD
government job or a professional
job or has some land and their
farming work is good and
abundant, they can study well;
those who are poor cannot.

 *HQGHU UROHV UHPDLQ DQ LPSHGLPHQW IRU

education-related growth for girls, as they
are expected to assist their mothers in daily
household activities, taking away time
from their study or play, both of which are
important for experiencing childhood and
overall growth. Social norms and pressures
for early marriage among girls in rural households are also strong inhibiting factors against their
education.

Girls have to work and they

help their mothers in cooking,
cleaning and going to the forest.
Boys? They play cricket

 3RYHUW\FDPHXSUHSHDWHGO\DVDFRQVWUDLQLQJ
factor for investing in girls education. Some
women shared that poor families tend to
discontinue girls studies after primary
school as it is free until then.

 :RPHQOLYLQJLQUHPRWHDUHDVFLWHGUDLQVDQGEDGURDGVODFNRIHOHFWULFLW\DQGJHQHUDOO\SRRU
infrastructure as constraining factors for girls education.

AnganwadiPHDQVFRXUW\DUGVKHOWHULQ+LQGLDQGUHIHUVWRQXWULWLRQFHQWUHVWKDWZHUHVWDUWHGE\WKH,QGLDQJRYHUQPHQW
LQDVSDUWRIWKH,QWHJUDWHG&KLOG'HYHORSPHQW6HUYLFHV6FKHPHVWRFRPEDWFKLOGPDOQXWULWLRQDQGKXQJHUDWWKH
village level.



44

 $OWKRXJK WKH LPSRUWDQFH RI HGXFDWLRQ HVSHFLDOO\ IRU JLUOV KDV LQFUHDVHG DPRQJ WULEDO
communities, literacy levels are still very low among tribal women. Women also cited untimely
delivery of study material, school uniforms and scholarships as contributing factors for dropouts,
especially among girls. Teachers in hostel-based schools and colleges admonish girls for returning
WRWKHLUYLOODJHVIUHTXHQWO\WRDWWHQGIHVWLYDOVDQGIDPLO\IXQFWLRQVZKLFKDOVROHDGVWRGURSRXWV
 7KHUHLVDQLQFUHDVHGWUHQGRIVHQGLQJFKLOGUHQWRSULYDWHFRQYHQWVFKRROVLQWULEDODUHDVZKLFK
cost more than government schools. Since parents prefer to invest in educating their sons more,
the education of girls suffers.
 /LWHUDF\ OHYHOV DPRQJ DGXOW ZRPHQ DOVR
remain very low. Some women estimated that
PRUH WKDQ  SHU FHQW RI DGXOW ZRPHQ DUH
LOOLWHUDWH LQ WKHLU YLOODJHV +RZHYHU  SHU
FHQWRIJLUOVDUHDWWHQGLQJVFKRROVDQGWKH
per cent who are not studying, are from very
poor families.

Our (tribal) girls

have to catch the local train to
reach school or college still they
are studying and working hard
under candlelight.

 :RPHQGUHZDVWURQJOLQNEHWZHHQDOFRKROLVP
and its negative impact on childrens education.
 ,Q5DMDVWKDQHOHFWHGZRPHQUHSUHVHQWDWLYHVIHOWWKDWDOWKRXJKLWLVJRRGIRUZRPHQWRVWXG\WKH\
might have to deal with more oppression and domestic violence, suggesting a possible backlash
to womans education and employment, especially in settings with entrenched patriarchy and
feudalism.
 :RPHQDFNQRZOHGJHGWKDWDZDUHQHVVOHYHOVDERXWJRYHUQPHQWVFKHPHVDQGVHUYLFHVLQFOXGLQJ
for education, are still very low, especially in remote areas.



MAYA DEVI
Twas fates folly or Id know ABC
Educated people know
how to talk, negotiate,
do their own work and
appreciate its value. I had
to be at the mercy of other
people and work in their
KRXVHVDQGHOGV6LQFH
we are simpletons, we just
took whatever money we
got for our labour.

Photo @ UN Women/Divya Gupta

Maya Devi is one of those granny

JXUHV HYHU\RQH ORYHV  VKHV JRW
a quick wit, rustic humour and is
slightly overbearing in a caring
and warm sort of way. Beneath her
XQFRPPRQO\ MRYLDO DQG FRQGHQW
nature hides a back story of a
72-year old widow who had a child
marriage, lost her parents and
husband early, leaving her to fend
for herself and raise four daughters
alone in deeply patriarchal and
feudal Rajasthan a life of hard
knocks that is all-too-common
among women there. Despite it or
perhaps because of it, she wears an
air of cool, as she amusingly oscillates
between making fun of the gentle
manners and low threshold
of the educated and yet, bemoans
her own fate for never having
studied herself.
,Q   DERXW  SHU FHQW RI WKH HQWLUH DGXOW IHPDOH SRSXODWLRQ DJHG  \HDUV DQG DERYH LQ
,QGLDFRXOGQRWUHDGRUZULWHIDUEHORZWKHSHUFHQWRIDGXOWPDOHVZKRDUHLOOLWHUDWH$GXOW
illiteracy among women is particularly high in rural areas, especially among socially marginalised
communities. Although a few government schemes H[LVW LQ ,QGLD WR DGGUHVV IXQFWLRQDO OLWHUDF\
WKHUHKDVEHHQDQLQFUHDVHRIMXVWSHUFHQW in male and female adult literacy rates over the past
GHFDGH,QWKHDEVHQFHRIFULWLFDOIRUZDUGPRPHQWXPLQWKLVDUHQDZRPHQLQUXUDO,QGLDFRQWLQXH
WRIDFHPDMRULPSHGLPHQWVLQDFFHVVLQJWKHLUEDVLFHQWLWOHPHQWVOLYHOLIHVRIKDUGVKLSDQGVWUXJJOH
and remain highly vulnerable to all forms of exploitation and violence.
INTERSECTIONALITY: ,OOLWHUDWH RUSKDQHG DQG ZLGRZHG DW DQ HDUO\ DJH PRWKHU RI IRXU
daughters, lack of land and assets, daily wage agricultural labourer.
Footnotes overleaf

46

, ZDV PD\EH MXVW DURXQG  \HDUV ROG ZKHQ

, ZDV PDUULHG 0\ SDUHQWV ZHUH SRRU DQG DW
that time, there was no tradition to educate girls
DQGVHQGWKHPRXWRIWKHKRXVH$OVR,VWDUWHG
helping my mother with all the household work
at a very young age. So, there was neither the time
nor the money to get educated. My parents were
mainly worried about earning some income,
feeding their children and getting us married.
After some time, they passed away.

I have four daughters.

My husband died when
they were very young.
Ive brought them up and
got them all married.
None of my daughters could study.
Im not even sure how
I managed to feed them,
let alone educate them.
, KDYH IRXU GDXJKWHUV 0\ KXVEDQG GLHG ZKHQ
WKH\ZHUHYHU\\RXQJ,YHEURXJKWWKHPXSDQG
got them all married. None of my daughters
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some money. My pension would have kept
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adolescent girls belonging to the most marginalised communities like Dalits (Scheduled Castes) and Adivasis (Scheduled
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grass and cook and carry lunch for my husband or
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all day. We didnt even have enough clothes to cover
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have survived.

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children to study at school, theyll wash and clean
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Photo @ UN Women/Divya Gupta

SYEDA NOOR FATHIMA

Allah would want us to read and write

Muslim women dont have a choice in what they wear, whom they can
speak to and even if they want to they are not allowed the lack of
choice and freedom are the biggest challenges facing them.
Syeda Noor Fathimas manners are gentle and seasoned and her expressions, purposeful and
intense. Her English, though heavily accented with a Kannada102DYRXULVXHQW+HUWKRXJKWVKLW
the high notes and are visionary and idealistic. As she sprints tirelessly from one village meeting
to another in Mysore District, the second largest city in the southern state of Karnataka, 34-year-
ROG)DWKLPDWDNHVWRWKHSRGLXPHDFKWLPHZLWKDVWHDG\VHOIDVVXUHGFRQGHQFHWKHNLQGWKDW
comes from having endured lifes trials and tribulations. Ostracised by her family and community
for marrying a non-Muslim, she poignantly shares, has been more painful than the combined
pain from all my other life struggles.
Muslim women are among the least literate, most economically impoverished and politically and
VRFLDOO\PDUJLQDOLVHGVHFWLRQVRI,QGLDQVRFLHW\:LWKOHVVWKDQSHUFHQWOLWHUDF\ rate, they are
WKHOHDVWHGXFDWHGRIDOOUHOLJLRXVPLQRULWLHVLQ,QGLD,QUXUDO,QGLDDQRYHUZKHOPLQJSHUFHQWRI
Muslim women reportedWKDWWKH\DUHLOOLWHUDWH,QKLJKHUHGXFDWLRQ0XVOLPZRPHQDFFRXQWIRU
a mereSHUFHQW&XUUHQWUHVHDUFKLQGLFDWHVWKDWSRYHUW\DQGQDQFLDOFRQVWUDLQWVDUHWKH
PDMRUFDXVHVWKDWSUHYHQW0XVOLPJLUOVIURPDFFHVVLQJPRGHUQDQGVHFXODUHGXFDWLRQ$VDUHVXOW
RIYLROHQWFRPPXQDOFRQLFWVWKHUHLVLPPHQVHIHDUDIHHOLQJRIYXOQHUDELOLW\DQGFRQVHTXHQWO\D
visible impact on mobility and education, especially of girls. Muslim women are also overwhelmingly
self-employed or engaged in low-skilled and low-income work due to discrimination and the lack of
education and technical skills, keeping them in a cycle of poverty.
INTERSECTIONALITY: Muslim woman, educated, college graduate, married to a non-Muslim,
ostracised by community, suffered brain haemorrhage.
Footnotes overleaf



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family, which means offering prayers, keeping
fasts, wearing clothes that cover fully, talking to
elders with respect and not standing and talking
in front of them. At the same time, we had
freedom within the family and had fun because
there were so many children.
Even though my father was from a rich family,
he was addicted to alcohol and so we ran into
D QDQFLDO FULVLV 0\ PRWKHU EHORQJHG WR D
very traditional but educated Muslim family
and even though she had only studied until
high school, her ideas were very progressive.
She never wore a burqa, she never offered
namazDQGPD\EHWKDWVZK\,ZDVLQXHQFHG
by her at a very young age. For her ideas and
ways, my granny used to scold her because she
was old and conservative. She insisted that
,VWXG\LQDFRQYHQWVFKRRODQGIRUWKDWWRRWKHUH
ZDVRSSRVLWLRQIURPP\JUDQQ\VIDPLO\ZK\
dont you send your children to Urdu schools?
She felt that they teach religion but more than
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and my mother supported me in every way but
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government aided-school because we had to
pay fees at the convent school. This new school
was for Muslim girls and my thoughts were
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college. Just going to college was a very great
thing at that time, especially for a Muslim girl.
My father was not supporting me economically
EXWP\PRWKHUWRRNXSDGDLO\ZDJHMREDVDJHP
cutter to support my education. She worked
on machines to cut big gems and stones into
smaller ones and it involved a lot of work. She
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day and whatever she earned, she spent on

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ZDQWHGWREHFRPHDQ,$6RIFHU. At around
the same time, there were lots of marriage
proposals coming my way and one proposal
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wanted my mother to be happy but at the last
minute, they demanded dowry and my brother
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got scholarships and opted for a Masters in
6RFLDO:RUN06:EHFDXVH,KDGVHHQDORWRI
suffering at an early age in my family itself.

Just going to college was a

very great thing at that time,
especially for a Muslim girl.
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strike. He is from the Hindu community. Even
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ostracisation in my community.
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an NGO, which was working for the cause of
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were sexually harassed, raped and gang-raped

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,QGLD0LQLVWU\RI0LQRULW\$IIDLUVSocial, Economic and Educational Status of Muslim Community of India, Sachar
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especially when they appear in public.

Muslim prayer.

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by men, how they were lured into prostitution

on the pretext of getting employment and
locked up in basements in brothels from where
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really terrible.
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were themselves using women sexually. Then
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harassment had impacted me psychologically.
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affected my womb and chances of fertility.
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seen my mothers suffering, my cousin suffering
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Muslim women dont have a choice in what
they wear, whom they can speak to and even if
WKH\ZDQWWRWKH\DUHQRWDOORZHGWKHODFNRI
choice and freedom are the biggest challenges
facing them.

I strongly say that

development programmes,
if they have to contribute, should
focus on progressive education,
especially for minority women.
7KH RWKHU FKDOOHQJH LV WKH IRFXV RQ UHOLJLRQ 
it is so strong that even if there is something
wrong or illogical, people will still follow it.
Being a Muslim girl and after marrying a non-
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knowledge and understanding, which teaches
tolerance of other faiths and everything.
However, nowadays, our upbringing is done in
such a way that we dont even tolerate sitting

besides a non-Muslim. Where is it written in the

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teaches utmost respect for them. The option to
marry more than one woman is to rid them of
economic or social problems they might face in

Why should property cases for

Muslim women be decided under
Muslim personal law let the
court decide. As a result of this,
Muslim women are neglected.
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a widow and said you can marry up to four
women, depending on your socio-economic
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marry whom? The needy and distressed
women in order to support them. That is what
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preaches. But nowadays, these fanatics marry
one after another for their satisfaction and have
OLQHV RI FKLOGUHQ WRJHWKHU  WKH\ DUH PLVXVLQJ
it. And even Muslim women blindly follow that.
,Q ,VODPLF IDLWK \RX KDYH WR SD\ Mahr. But
again, male-dominated society has reversed this
practice. Everything has been changed to their
convenience.
Generally, Muslim communities, especially
women, dont avail of government facilities
and schemes. One is an attitudinal problem
but the treatment in the government facilities
LV DOVR YHU\ SRRU DQG GLVUHVSHFWIXO , VWURQJO\
say that development programmes, if they have
to contribute, should focus on progressive
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you dont pay special attention to them, it will
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advocate a uniform civil code. Why are there
separate marriage laws for Muslims and for the
rest of the nation? Why should property cases


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Muslim women are neglected. Theyre not given property because the community decides. Let the
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dowry act be applied to each and everyone in the same way.

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anything and everything for it.
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thinking about work and how something can be accomplished, but because my son has to go to
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with his father.
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understanding their challenges and attending village meetings. For some reason, people really
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to emails on my laptop.
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implies that people are able to have a responsible, satisfying and safe sex life and the capability to
reproduce and freedom to decide if, when and how often to do so. From a pubic policy perspective,
it also implies that men and women ought to be informed of and have access to safe, effective,
affordable and acceptable methods of birth control, appropriate health care services and medicine
to maintain sexual and reproductive health and access to health education programs.
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impact womens health and well-being automatically widens to include the most widely experienced
and mild form of compromised health in the form of physical weakness to the most fatal health
conditions as a result of gender-based violence, including mental, emotional and psychological
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and anaemia widely prevalent among women, especially in rural areas and among pregnant women.
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ways due to tasks they are responsible for such as collecting water and fuel wood from long distances,
managing the household, feeding and taking care of the family and increasingly, earning a livelihood.
Women suffering from health conditions with high levels of social stigma and discrimination such
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geographically marginalised communities. For instance, maternal mortality is particularly high
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support that violence against women has profound implications for health but is often ignored.
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systems and cultural norms do not treat it as a crime but rather as a private family matter, or a
normal part of life.

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women to practice safe sex and also go through pregnancy safely.
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an increase in skilled birth attendance and
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tribal woman living in a remote area
did not include any indicators to measure
experienced a complicated pregnancy
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and was forced to run from pillar to
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of-pocket expenses to save her childs
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infections among this category of women
merited inclusion in the MDG framework.

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all-too-common story of a woman
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left to fend for herself and her children,
lives in constant fear of sudden death,
while battling social stigma.

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3UROH illustrates the serious
population suffers from disabilities.
impacts of disability on a womans sense
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of security, ability to earn livelihood,
SHU FHQW  PLOOLRQ people
access nutrition and shelter and
suffer from disability. An additional
experience independence, mobility,
 PLOOLRQ reportedly suffer from
freedom, personal happiness
psychiatric disorders. Women comprise
and prospects for companionship
almost half of the disabled population and
and motherhood.
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special attention to SHRSOH OLYLQJ ZLWK GLVDELOLWLHV and particularly women among them,
the MDG framework entirely failed to address their challenges within its scope.

3UROH of a domestic violence victim who kept

losing her babies due to brutalisation and violence
by her husband and his family, even during
pregnancy, validates this strong link between
gender-based violence and womens health.

6. As stated above, when health

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complete physical, mental
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range of physical, mental,

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importance, which the MDG
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missed.

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mentally and psychologically harassed, beaten and
tortured by her husband and his family, provides a
lens into the added dimension of devastating effects
of socially entrenched practices such as dowry on
womens health and overall well-being.

Women of India Speak

Reproductive, Sexual and Child Health
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for pregnant women and lactating mothers, infants and children, free vaccinations and
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some places. Women in these areas also shared that post-natal health issues for women and
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cases of severe malnutrition among women and children were also reported, again indicating
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service delivery system and scheme aimed at checking malnutrition and supplementing womens
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protected from illness and are much healthier now. Women here also felt, however, that the food
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was served hot and fresh instead of the packaged food handed out now.
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and nurses and long waiting hours, which often force rural people to seek private health services
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is discouraging and often, pregnant women are sent back the same day or a few hours after child
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pregnant women are supposed to receive for delivering in government hospitals with a skilled
birth attendant is often delayed by several months. Some also said that if they dont have a bank
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little in hand.
Gender-Based Violence

Quit Drinking the government

should take out such an order in
every village. Only then will tribal
society progress if dowry and
alcohol are eliminated.


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districts unanimously shared that mens
habit of alcoholism has remained unchanged
over time and has the most damaging effect
on a household. They linked alcoholism
to diminished income and savings, loss of
livelihood and unemployment, poverty,

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a negative impact on childrens education, household nutrition and womens health, resulting in
their physical weakness and mental depression.
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pregnant women most adversely. They reported that miscarriages due to domestic violence are
not uncommon.
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pervasive and disempowering challenges
Women are not weak but they
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dont know what to do about the
deaths, which some associated with prestige.
drinking problem. Even if they
Often resulting in extreme physical and
do know, they cant seem to do
mental torture for women, they felt that such
anything about it. You have to
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stay in the same house, whether
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you are beaten or not.
upbringing and treatment towards the girl
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where feudalism and patriarchy are deeply entrenched with serious implications for womens
health, social mobility, ability to earn and opportunities for education and growth. Women also
shared that cases of dowry-related domestic violence often go unreported in the rural areas.
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emerging concerns.
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foeticide.
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instances of women seeking police assistance and legal recourse compared to the past. Some
women also reported that they are coming together through SHGs and pressurising men to stop
drinking or beating their wives.
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(e.g. garment industry, as domestic help) where they are mostly employed, as a blind spot in
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Health and Infrastructure
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and pregnancy.
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populated areas, women shared that pregnant women face challenges during the rainy season,
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defecate in the absence of open spaces, scarcity of drinking water, power cuts and the impact of
all of the above, especially on childrens health.
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and new diseases such as TB, typhoid, chicken guinea, dengue, kidney stones and cancer.
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poverty and lack of nutrition. Some women also reported undesirable cultural traditions such as
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forms of exploitation.
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women perform in rural areas in village and construction works and common health symptoms
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their husbands unknowingly and
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levels remain very low.

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he likes to taste different meals
from different hotels.
Women become the sufferers.
The husband usually dies and the
woman, whether she wants to live or not,
has to stay alive for her children.
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a man thinks only of himself.

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knows the status, their children also suffer stigma and discrimination. One woman living with
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their basic nutrition needs are taken care of.



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person in a neighbours house. There is no focus or programmes for disabled people. She cited
improvements in her own village and area over time with the coming of a local NGO. However,
she emphasised that discrimination and stigma against people with disabilities is still very strong
and starts within the family. A lot of superstitions are also associated with disabled people, which
pose a further challenge.
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of loneliness, frustration and depression. Financial dependency, neglect by family members and
society and lack of any assets including inheritance and property, which they normally do not
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suicidal thoughts or acts.
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provisions and any social security blanket.
Old Age
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issue for all categories of single women who cannot rely on anyone else for their survival needs.



Photo @ UN Women/Divya Gupta

KALI
How seen is my valley?

The cost for child delivery came to 65,000-70,000 rupees (1098-1182

dollars) at the private hospital. We dont make so much in farming.
I had to call an aunt to borrow money and also pawned my jewellery.
22-year-old Kali belongs to the Pataliya tribe and lives in a Gundipada village in Jhabua, which
is located in central India in Madhya Pradesh. Jhabuas terrain is unforgiving degraded
wastelands, highly drought-prone and so spread out that people from the same hamlet of 50-100
families can be living several kilometres apart from each other. In 2006, it was named among
the 250 most backward districts in the country, qualifying for special development assistance
from the government. Shy and very soft-spoken, Kali was breast-feeding her 4-month-old infant
intermittently throughout the conversation, which was punctuated with sudden silences and
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Maternal mortality has been reduced E\  SHU FHQW VLQFH  EXW DQ HVWLPDWHG 
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to geographical and social inaccessibility of medical facilities and infrastructure, their socio-cultural
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inability to accommodate tribal realities.
INTERSECTIONALITY: Tribal woman, illiterate, lives in remote and harsh terrain, complicated
pregnancy, lives below the poverty line (entitled to free medical health care), forced to go to private
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Footnotes overleaf



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We are three sisters and two brothers. All of
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with the help of midwives. Nowadays, so many
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children.

childs life and your own are at stake? Then we

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We took a private car because the government
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QLJKWP\ODERXUSDLQVWDUWHGRQth September.
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government-run Community Health Centre
&+& LQ .DO\DQSXUD 'LVWULFW ,WV DERXW 
kilometres away from my village. We went in the
government car, which brings pregnant women
to the hospital free of charge. We stayed there
during the day but they told us that they cant
operate and we should go to the government
KRVSLWDO LQ -KDEXD ZKLFK LV DQRWKHU 
kilometres away. Many normal deliveries
take place at the CHC but my case was more
complicated and the district hospital in Jhabua
has more doctors.

When we went upstairs to the private hospital

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have to go even further, either to Baroda or
Ahmedabad. This time, family members who
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proceed with the operation and leave the rest to
God. Finally, they said, they will try to have a
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even the labour had stopped. There was no place
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LWV HYHQ GLIFXOW IRU WKH PRWKHU WR VXUYLYH
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operation. The baby was also in danger because
it was not moving anywhere in the womb and
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hospital and called the doctor. He had also gone
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FDPHRXWDWIRXULQWKHPRUQLQJ,WZDVDER\

Only junior doctors were on duty

(at the government hospital).
They said, Whos going to call the
doctor at 12 at night?
So, we thought it best to proceed
further. Whos going to argue
when your childs life and your
own are at stake?
6RZHZHQWWR-KDEXDWKDWHYHQLQJDWSPLQWKH
same government car. The main doctor was not
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were on duty. They said, who will call the doctor
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further. Whos going to sit and argue when your

The baby stayed with me for one day and then

had to be admitted into another hospital because
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were both alone and separate. They kept me
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 UXSHHV  GROODUV :KHQ ZH
were discharged, the outstanding amount was
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 UXSHHV  GROODUV HYHU\ PRQWK 2XU
family is categorised as below the poverty line but
we could not avail the free medical services that we
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receive if they deliver with skilled birth personnel
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private hospital.

In government hospitals,
they dont charge but they also dont
take care because the staff members
get salaries anyway.
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give you some medicines and
send you packing off.
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children now because they understand it increases
poverty and you have to feed your children, too.
7KH\DOVRGHOLYHUPRUHIUHTXHQWO\LQKRVSLWDOVQRZ
Still our community is sceptical of government
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environment at government hospitals. They only
keep you for one day after the delivery is done.
Many times, they send you back after a few hours of
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hospitals cost more but the service is better. They
change sheets every morning and evening. Nurses
keep checking on you. They charge so much. So,
, JXHVV WKH\ KDYH WR WDNH URXQGV ,Q JRYHUQPHQW
hospitals, they dont charge but they also dont take
care because staff members get salaries anyway.
They give you some medicines, write a prescription
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of us when we get older.



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and utensils. There are four people
in the house including my husband,
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labour. Elders who have gone through
childbirth tell you that you experience
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busy and moving, you dont experience
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house if its dirty and also work in the
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Only on the last day, when my labour
started, my husbands sister came over
to cook.
7pm-9pm: We eat dinner. My mother-
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pregnant, my husband also made food
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My mother-in-law did most of the
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it does not happen like this. Women
VWDUWZRUNLQJGD\VDIWHUGHOLYHU\RU
sometimes, even the next day.
SPSP We go to sleep. These
days, my son keeps me awake at night
sometimes. Hes only four months old
and is still on medicines because of the
weakness and condition he suffered
from after delivery.

Photo @ UN Women/Praveen Kaliga

%+$5$7+$00$
Fighting the last betrayal

My husband did not give me any security or love, only this disease.
I think of this and feel angry. But what can I do now? Half the cases
I come across are like mine. One man contracts this disease and spreads
LWWRYHZRPHQ
The quiet manner in which BharathammaVLWVDQGREVHUYHVHYHU\RQHWDONLQJFDPRXDJHVKHU
own inner thoughts and feelings as a woman living with HIV. She only uses her own water bottle
and maintains a safe distance from everyone out of fear of inviting any suspicion of her HIV
condition. Fuelled by lack of awareness and intolerance, it invites life-crippling and soul-crushing
stigma and discrimination, especially in rural India. She lives in Mahbubnagar District, among
the most backward districts in India, ironically located only a 100 kilometres from Hyderabad,
known as the countrys pharmaceutical capital. A frail 45-year-old widow showing signs of
undernourishment and weakness, Bharathamma unsuspectingly contracted HIV from her
husband, who died and left her to fend for herself and their two children alone.
$OWKRXJK,QGLDLVPRGHUDWHO\RQWUDFNWRDFKLHYH0'*RQWKHWDUJHWRIKDOWLQJRUUHYHUVLQJWKH
VSUHDG RI +,9 DQG $,'6 WKH LQFLGHQFH RI UHODWHG GHDWKV UHPDLQV YHU\ KLJK DQG DQ LQFUHDVLQJ
feminisationRI+,9DQG$,'6LVWDNLQJSODFH7KHUHDUHDQHVWLPDWHGPLOOLRQ people living
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DUH SDUWLFXODUO\ DW KLJKULVN DV D VLJQLFDQW QXPEHU RI QHZ LQIHFWLRQV RFFXU LQ ZRPHQ ZKR DUH
in monogamous marriages and have been infected by their husbands, who may have multiple
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women and their children, the resulting heavy burden of care, domestic work, economic vulnerability
and social stigma they face.
INTERSECTIONALITY: :RPDQ OLYLQJ ZLWK +,9 ZLGRZ PRWKHU RI WZR FKLOGUHQ ZRUNV DV
GRPHVWLFFOHDQHULQIRUPDOODERXUZRUNVZLWKDQ1*2RQ+,9UHODWHGLVVXHVOLYHVLQUXUDOYLOODJH
ZKHUH+,9UHODWHGDZDUHQHVVLVORZDQGDVVRFLDWHGVWLJPDYHU\KLJK
Footnotes overleaf



My name is Bharathamma. My husband died in

IURP+,9DQG$,'6+HNQHZDERXWLWVLQFH
a long time but did not inform anyone at home.
He only told us about it about one month prior
WRKLVGHDWKZKHQKHEHFDPHYHU\LOO,KDYHQR
idea where he contracted it. He never informed
PHRIDQ\WKLQJ+HMXVWNHSWVLFNIRUORQJSHULRGV
RIWLPH+HQDOO\GLHGRIWXEHUFXORVLV

After his death, I got myself

tested and was diagnosed with
HIV. I was in disbelief.
I thought, how could this happen
to me? I am a healthy woman.
$IWHU KLV GHDWK , JRW P\VHOI WHVWHG DQG ZDV
GLDJQRVHGZLWK+,9,ZDVLQGLVEHOLHI,WKRXJKW
KRZ FRXOG WKLV KDSSHQ WR PH" , DP D KHDOWK\
ZRPDQ,GRQWJHWIUHTXHQWIHYHUVQRERG\DFKH
QROHJDFKH,DPQH,FULHGIRUQHDUO\D\HDU
DQGWKRXJKW,DPJRLQJWRGLHLQWKHVDPHZD\
WKDWP\KXVEDQGGLG,IHDUHG IRUP\FKLOGUHQ
who were not even married then. At that time,
P\GDXJKWHUZDVDQGP\VRQZDV\HDUVRI
DJH7KDWZDVZKHQ,ORVWDORWRIZHLJKW
,DP\HDUVROGQRZDQGIRXQGRXWDERXWP\
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DIIRUGWKHWUHDWPHQW/XFNLO\ZKHQ,FRQVXOWHG
the doctor, he referred me to a local government
hospital, where they gave me free tablets. Since
WKHQ , KDYH EHHQ RQ DQWLUHWURYLUDO WKHUDS\
,KDYHQHYHUEHHQODWHLQWDNLQJWKHP
, DP VWLOO XQGHU D ORW RI VWUHVV WKRXJK EHFDXVH
, KDYH QR PRQH\ WR VXVWDLQ P\VHOI , ZDVK
utensils at other peoples homes. They dont
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UH PH ,I , FXW P\VHOI ZKLOH ZDVKLQJ XWHQVLOV
WKHQ , GRQW JR WR ZRUN IRU D FRXSOH RI GD\V
and take care of myself. My neighbours also
dont know because if they did, my landlord will
remove me from my house.

Nobody comes forward to disclose their status.

When we are given tablets for anti-retroviral
therapy, we hide them in a paper so that no one
can see them. Even my friends do not know,
RWKHUZLVH , ZLOO IDFH D ORW RI GLVFULPLQDWLRQ ,
fear that they will not speak to me.
3HRSOH GR QRW WUHDW XV ZHOO 9LOODJHV DUH WKH
ZRUVW,QFLWLHVSHRSOHVWLOOKDYHVRPHDZDUHQHVV
and the treatment is better but in villages, if
one person comes to know, a hundred others
will also come to know. Their whole behaviour
FKDQJHVWKH\ZRQWWRXFKDVWDONWRXVRUVLW
next to us. They cover their mouths and noses
while talking to us out of fear that it will spread
LIZHVQHH]HRUWDONWRWKHP(YHQRWKHUSHRSOH

People do not treat us well.

Villages are the worst.
In cities, people still have some
awareness and the treatment
is better but in villages,
if one person comes to know
a hundred others will also come
to know. Their whole behaviour
changes they wont touch us,
talk to us or sit next to us.
They cover their mouths and noses
while talking to us out of fear
that it will spread if we sneeze
or talk to them.
Even other people with HIV treat
us poorly they think that their
infection will increase if they are
near us. At least,
they should treat us equally.
ZKRKDYH+,9WUHDWXVSRRUO\WKH\WKLQNWKDW
their infection will increase if they are near us.
$WOHDVWWKH\VKRXOGWUHDWXVHTXDOO\

Name changed to protect identity.



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%DVDQWD.3UDGKDQDQG5DPDPDQL6XQGDUGender Impact of HIV and AIDS in India81'31$&2DQG1&$(5

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64

2XURZQ1*2WUHDWVXVEDGO\RWKHUVWDIIPHPEHUVGR
not even offer us a glass of water, no matter how hot it is.
They give us hard water instead of normal water. When we
JRWRWKHHOGZHFDUU\RXURZQZDWHUERWWOHVDQGOXQFK
boxes. When they organise daylong trainings, they dont
HYHQSURYLGHXVZLWKDFXSRIWHD,IDQ1*2LVWUHDWLQJXV
in this way, then how can we blame others?
, PDQDJHG WR QG ZRUN ZLWK DQ 1*2 EXW JHQHUDOO\ ZH
GRQWJHWMREV3ULYDWHRUJDQLVDWLRQVGRQWJLYHXVMREVDW
DOO 7KH 1*2 SD\V PH  UXSHHV  GROODUV SHU
month. We have to travel daily to interior villages to talk
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UXSHHVGROODUVSHUGD\:HSD\RXWRISRFNHWZKLFK
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,QWKDWVPDOOKRXVHZHGRHYHU\WKLQJFRRNVOHHSDQG
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amount of money, how can we take good care and afford
a nutritious diet?
My husband didnt give me any security or love, only this
GLVHDVH,WKLQNRIWKLVDQGIHHODQJU\%XWZKDWFDQ,GR
QRZ"+DOIWKHFDVHV,FRPHDFURVVDUHOLNHPLQH2QHPDQ
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will have sex with a different woman daily and spread this
disease to each one. The husband usually dies and the
woman, whether she wants to live or not, has to stay alive
for her children. So, women suffer more. Some people
ZLWK+,9DUHPDUU\LQJHDFKRWKHU,WLVEHWWHUWRHDWVDOW
and roti than get married again or have a partner. Even if
KHKDV+,9KHZLOOVWLOOGULQNKLWPHDQGEHFUXHOWRZDUGV
PH,WZLOORQO\FUHDWHPRUHSUREOHPVIRUPH
Our biggest fear is for our children. My daughter is very
pretty but no one was ready to marry her because people
came to know of my condition. Even my relatives were
QRW UHDG\ WR WDNH UHVSRQVLELOLW\ RU VXSSRUW PH , JRW
KHU WHVWHG IRU +,9 DQG RQO\ ZKHQ LW FDPH QHJDWLYH DQG
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My son supports me but till when? He also has to get
PDUULHG VRPHGD\ DQG , IHHO WKDW KH LV QRW JHWWLQJ WKH
right proposals because of my condition. Sometimes,
,IHHOWKDWLWZRXOGEHEHWWHULI,GLHVRRQ$WOHDVWWKH\
wont have to suffer all this ostracisation. We live for our
children and if their lives are getting ruined because of us,
then what is the purpose of our living?
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DQ\PRPHQW,IHHOWLUHGDOOWKHWLPHEXWMXVWWREHVXUH
,JHWP\&'FRXQWWHVWGRQHHYHU\VL[PRQWKVVRWKDW,
know well in time if something is wrong. We hope that a
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in our lifetime, we want to see a cure for our childrens
generation. Our life is almost over now.

'D\LQWKHOLIHRI
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DPDP , ZDNH XS E\ DP WR
QLVK DOO WKH KRXVHKROG ZRUN ,
clean my house and prepare lunch
IRU P\ VRQ DQG P\VHOI ,I , NHHS
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about my condition.
DPDP After my son leaves
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, FOHDQ XWHQVLOV DW RWKHU SHRSOHV
houses to earn some extra money.
,FDQQRWOHWWKHPNQRZRIP\+,9
status, otherwise they will remove
me from the work.
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and attend trainings and meetings
ZLWK ZRPHQ ZKR KDYH +,9, OLNH
being a part of these groups. They
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something.
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and clean utensils at peoples
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but constantly want to keep
pushing myself.
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around 6pm and after freshening
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and prepare dinner for my son and
myself.
SPSP $IWHU GLQQHU ,
watch television. My son always
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WR ZDWFK VRPHWKLQJ HOVH , HQMR\
WKHVH JKWV EHFDXVH , GRQW NQRZ
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am not able to sleep immediately.
The thought of my condition keeps
coming into my mind. This has
become routine now.



MUGALLAMA
I get by with a little help from myself
Financial independence
is the answer to
everything. Today, if I
was not earning, I would
be dependent on others.
It gives other people the
power to dominate you.
Financial independence
provides us security.

Photo @ UN Women/Praveen Kaliga

When 33-year-old Mugallama came

out of the auto-rickshaw, it was
surprising for all the bystanders to
see how well she managed herself.
Maybe it always is. Paralysed from
waist down, she swiftly crawled
her way inside the village rural
GHSDUWPHQWRIFHVKDNLQJKDQGVDQG
greeting people as she passed them
E\ $OO H\HV ZHUH [HG RQ KHU DV VKH
climbed the stairs and took the chair
in her unique style. Easily offended if
offered help, Mugallama, who lives
in Mahbubnagar District located
100 kilometres from Hyderabad, is
FRQGHQW DQG GHWHUPLQHG WR OHDG D
normal life.
$Q HVWLPDWHG  SHU FHQW  PLOOLRQ SHRSOH RI ,QGLDV SRSXODWLRQ OLYHV ZLWK GLVDELOLWLHV
RI ZKLFK DOPRVW KDOI DUH ZRPHQ 3HRSOH OLYLQJ ZLWK GLVDELOLWLHV DUH UHFRJQLVHG WR EH PXOWLSO\
disadvantaged, experiencing exclusion on account of gender and disability. Social pressures deprive
women with disabilities of their social, economic and political opportunities. As a result, they are
vulnerable to sexual exploitation, abandonment, social exclusion, improper medical facilities and
lack of education. They remain largely unrepresented and are invariably left out of the decision and
policy-making processes, including those that affect their own lives the most. For women suffering
IURPSV\FKLDWULFGLVRUGHUVDOOWKHVHFKDOOHQJHVDUHIXUWKHULQWHQVLHG
INTERSECTIONALITY: Disabled (paralysed from waist down), single, lives with parents,
NGO worker (on disability issues), tailors clothes to earn extra money to sustain herself.
Footnotes overleaf

66

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:KHQ , ZDV  PRQWKV ROG , GHYHORSHG D IHZ
boils on my back. My mother took me to a local
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on both the sides of my waist. Later that night,
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WKHPDJDLQ$URXQGWKHWLPH,ZDVJLYHQWKRVH
LQMHFWLRQVWKHUHZHUHVLPLODUFDVHVRILQIHFWLRQ
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that when one suffers from polio and very high
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all as it only aggravates the situation. We are
sure that my condition developed because of the
LQMHFWLRQV

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with disabilities, which results in their poverty.
6LQFHWKHQ,KDYHEHHQZRUNLQJIRUWKHULJKWVRI
the people with disabilities in my village.

My mother took me to local faith healers,

temples and applied a lot of pastes and leaves on
P\OHJVEXWQRWKLQJZRUNHG,FRXOGQRWZDONRU
even stand again. There is a big hospital to treat
people with disabilities about three hours south
of Hyderabad in Kurnool District. My father
sold two acres of land to take me there but the
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GRQHDERXWP\FRQGLWLRQDQGWKLVLVKRZ,ZLOO
have to live. After that, we did not get any more
treatment.

I was born without any

disability. In fact, I was born a
very healthy child. When I was
10 months old, I developed a few
boils on my back. My mother took
me to a local doctor for treatment.
He gave me two injections on
either side of my waist.
Later that night, my legs stopped
working and I could never use
them again.

My parents were supportive and my mother

was especially dedicated. She made sure
,OHDUQHGKRZWRGRHYHU\WKLQJP\VHOILQFOXGLQJ
housework and taking personal care of myself
KHDOWKDQGK\JLHQH/LNHRWKHUJLUOV,ZHQWWR
D QRUPDO VFKRRO DQG FROOHJH $OWKRXJK , GLGQW
feel any discrimination in my immediate family,
WKHH[WHQGHGIDPLO\ZDVYHU\PHDQ,DOVRNQHZ
,ZLOOQHYHUEHDEOHWRJHWPDUULHG
Earlier, there was no focus on people with
disabilities. After coming to this region, the
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awareness among people with and without
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particular who also had a disability. His name is

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hearing, locomotor disability and, to some
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psychiatric disorders.

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disability groups to discuss various problems
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arrange for physiotherapy needs or deal with
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to get around.

People with Disabilities in India: From Commitments to Outcomes, Human Development Unit, South
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67

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for the cause of disability. However, very honestly,
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some extra money.
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discrimination begins with family members, who
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necessary to provide counselling to family members
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also have talents and we should promote them
effectively instead of treating them as a burden.
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challenges. Sexual harassment and rape are big
challenges for disabled women, especially for those
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if a disabled woman is unmarried and living with her
parents and serving them, she is still seldom given
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decided to go beyond them and am leading a better
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with disabilities well educated, earning decent
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but if not, then it is more important that everybody
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so that people grow more tolerant towards us. There
is a child here, Nootan Srikar, who cannot use his
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really tired by this time and wish life
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Photo @ UN Women/Praveen Kaliga

VIJAYA
Enduring heights

I hope I am able to study and earn something for my children and

myself and raise my sons in such a way that they do not become like
their father the reason for someone elses sorrow.
Married at the young age of 13, mother of two by 19 and divorced by 26 Vijaya, who lives
in Vizianagram District located on Indias southeast coast by the Bay of Bengal, has seen and
experienced more in 10 years than most others do in a lifetime. Now 31, when Vijaya quit studying
and was sent to her matrimonial home at the tender age of 16, she never imagined that her husband
and his family would trap her in a vicious cycle of mental torture and physical violence to extract
dowry. As the greed and abuse escalated, Vijaya endured for seven arduous years for the sake of
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trying to heal her broken spirit, she seems surprised when asked about her dreams. Dreams? she
asks, nonplussed.
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Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and and reports on its implementation to the United
Nations Human Rights Council81+5&XQGHUWKH8QLYHUDO3HULRG5HYLHZ835PHFKDQLVP
However, the MDG framework did not address gender-based violence, which necessarily includes
the widely practised and largely under-reported crimes against women related to dowry.
INTERSECTIONALITY: Child marriage, mother of two children, divorced, suffered dowry-
related mental, psychological and physical abuse, lives with parents, member of a SHG.
Footnotes overleaf



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was an arranged marriage and my husband was
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to my parents. He used to get government
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village. On some days, he earned very well and
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to give something in dowry for marriage. So, my
parents gave my husband and his family a piece
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torture. My husband, his mother and brother
would taunt me by saying nasty things about
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until they started saying that my parents had
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cannot afford to give too much to one child only.
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they beat me, they also gave me some tablets,
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son. Today, he is suffering from kidney disease.
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One day, all three of them started

beating me with sticks. They hit
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they beat me with thin sticks.
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gave me some tablets, which kept
me unconscious for long periods of
time. They have broken my wrists
a few times. They would hold my
head and hit it on the corner of the
bed. I bled and developed a big
bump. I was pregnant at that time
with my younger son. Today, he is
suffering from kidney disease.
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very loving or even approachable but did not
say much or do anything. My father-in-law
also died because he was harassed and beaten
by my mother-in-law, husband and his brother.
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in a separate house by himself. So, after the
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scapegoat in the family. Suddenly, if anything
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it. Thereafter, the events of the house shocked


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sources, including NGOs.



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me. My husband and his brother used to beat

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and when he regained consciousness, he told
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expired.

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husband and his family in the
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is the point of troubling my parents? However,
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mother and maternal uncle and they suggested
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situation is resolved by itself. Waiting for things
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with them anymore. Seven years of beating and
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parents one day but could not post it for a long
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the letter. My parents came and took me back
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point in living anymore but then thought that

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place else to go to. When the bus to my mothers
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to go to her place and see what happens. My
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the court agreed. My husband transferred all his
property to his brother. So, at time of deciding
the alimony it was proven that my husband has
no property and so the maintenance was settled
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I am living only for my children

now. I want to be independent.
I do not want to get married.
Once has been enough for a
lifetime. If such a thing happens
to you, then the world does not let
you live peacefully.
family was supportive and they encouraged
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me some hope for the future and being among
women gave me strength.
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thing happens to you then the world does not
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reason for someone elses sorrow.

$GD\LQWKHOLIHRI Vijaya
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of the household work like cleaning, washing clothes and utensils and preparing breakfast and
lunch.
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continue.
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prepare dinner.
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%+85,%
Where men brutally tread
I was deserted by
him and was staying
at my mothers home
when my daughter
was born and
this time the baby
survived, maybe
because I was not
beaten and tortured
during pregnancy.

Photo @ UN Women/Swapna Bist-Joshi

Bhuri lives with her 4-year-

old daughter in her maternal
village in Sehore district of
Madhya Pradesh, located
in central India. She has a
forlorn look in her eyes and
talks nervously. At times, her
recollection of the past sounds
incoherent, as if she is frozen in
time. Lifes cruel experiences
and adversity have scarred
her and taught her to mistrust.
Her life revolves around
her daughter, who is her
sole emotional reason for
existence. Shabbily dressed,
with a mud stained face and a
runny nose, the little girl clings
to her mother and does not let
go even for a moment.
,Q ,QGLD DERXW  SHU FHQW RI PDUULHG ZRPHQ EHWZHHQ WKH DJHV RI  KDYH H[SHULHQFHG
emotional, physical or sexual violence committed by their husbands. The impact of intimate partner
violence ranges from moderate to severe and manifests in physical and psychological terms. The
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likelihood of premature labour, lower infant birth weight and increased probability of stillbirths.
The probability of desertion is also high, which leaves women particularly vulnerable and without
recourse to social protection and legal aid, further affecting their health, nutrition and economic and
physical security.
INTERSECTIONALITY: ,OOLWHUDWH GDLO\ ZDJH FDVXDO ODERXUHU VXIIHUHG GRPHVWLF YLROHQFH
(including during pregnancies), suffered three miscarriages as a result, abandoned by husband
while pregnant with their fourth child, lives alone with 4-year old daughter.
Footnotes overleaf



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a beggar and my mother worked as a labourer in
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stayed with my husband and mother-in-law in a
bastiLQ,QGRUH
Six years ago, my husband threw me out, as he
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three children. They were stillborn. He accused
me of not being able to procreate healthy babies
and deserted me. He used to beat me up without
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multiple miscarriages. My husband had no work
or source of income. He used to wander around
with friends through the day and drink at night.
When he came home drunk, he would beat me
with his bare hands and sometimes, even with
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in-law and sister-in-laws house, for which they
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stomach.
:KHQ KH QDOO\ DEDQGRQHG PH , ZDV DOUHDG\
H[SHFWLQJ DJDLQ DOWKRXJK , ZDV QRW DZDUH RI LW
WKHQ,ZDVVWD\LQJDWP\PRWKHUVKRPHZKHQ
my daughter was born and this time the baby
VXUYLYHGPD\EHEHFDXVH ,ZDVQRWEHDWHQ DQG
tortured during pregnancy. My husband was
informed about it, but he accused me of being an
adulteress and that it was not his baby. He said
that no matter what, he would not accept me
back into his home. He got another lady before
this child was born. She has three children from
an earlier marriage.
,VSRNHWRKLVIDPLO\PHPEHUVP\KXVEDQGV
older brother and his other siblings. They were
well aware of my plight but supported him.
When my daughter was born, they told me,
Take care of your child. We are not responsible

for her upbringing. When they shunned and

humiliated me, my mother told them that if she
could nourish me as a child in her womb then
she could also take care of me and feed me.
,ZDVKDSS\ZLWKP\PRWKHUDQGGDXJKWHUEXW
P\PRWKHUGLHGYH\HDUVDJR6KHZDVP\RQO\
VXSSRUW 1RZ , OLYH DORQH ZLWK P\ GDXJKWHU ,
have to work every day of the week to ensure
that she gets enough food. After my mothers
demise, my brothers did not want me to stay
ZLWK WKHP ,W ZDV P\ PRWKHUV KRXVH 7KH\
resented my staying with our mother and that
she looked after me. They wanted my mother
WR JLYH WKHP HYHU\WKLQJ  , ZDV VHHQ DV D
competitor. My brothers forcefully encroached

Six years ago, my husband threw

me out, as he did not want to stay
with me anymore. I lost three
children. They were stillborn.
He accused me of not being able to
procreate healthy babies
and deserted me.
on my mothers property and live in the main
VHFWLRQRIWKHKRXVH,ZDVWROGWROHDYHDIWHUP\
PRWKHU GLHG ,QLWLDOO\ ZKHQ , SURWHVWHG WKH\
beat me up. The neighbours had to come to
my rescue. They have given me a corner in the
KRXVH,SUHSDUHP\RZQIRRG7KHUDWLRQFDUG
is in my mothers name. My brothers take half
the ration in exchange for the space they have
SURYLGHG PH LQ WKH KRXVH 1RZ , GRQW WDON WR
WKHPDWDOOVRWKHUHLVQRFRQLFW:KHQP\RZQ
brothers dont empathise with my plight, then
what is left to talk about?
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HDUQ  UXSHHV  GROODUV SHU GD\ 7KHUH

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UDQFKLBBGRPHVWLFYLROHQFHGRZU\FDVHVSROLFHVWDWLRQDFFHVVHG-XQH



$OLVVD&+XWK%RFNV$O\WLD$/HYHQGRVN\*$QQH%RJDWEffects of Domestic Violence During Pregnancy on

Maternal and Infant Health9LROHQFHDQG9LFWLPVYRO1R


Slum Settlement.



A ration card or stamp is issued by the government to allow the holder (particularly people living below the poverty
OLQHLQWKH,QGLDQFRQWH[WWRREWDLQIRRGRURWKHUFRPPRGLWLHVDWVXEVLGLVHGUDWHV


74

DUH WLPHV ZKHQ WKHUH LV QR ZRUN DW DOO , WDNH P\
GDXJKWHU ZLWK PH ZKHUHYHU , JR DV , GRQW WUXVW
DQ\RQH 6KH LV  \HDUV ROG , GRQW HYHQ ZDQW WR
leave her at the anganwadiFHQWUH,DPVFDUHGWKDW
VRPHRQHZLOOKLWRUWRUWXUHKHUDWWKHFHQWUH,QHYHU
let her out of my sight.

I take my daughter with me

wherever I go, as I dont trust
anyone to leave her alone with them.
She is 4 years old. I dont even want
to leave her at the anganwadi centre.
I am scared that someone will hit or
torture her at the centre.
I never let her out of my sight.
,ZDVDGYLVHGWRJRIRUDIDPLO\SODQQLQJRSHUDWLRQ
VR WKDW P\ GDXJKWHU FDQ EHQHW IURP WKH /DDGOL
Lakshmi Scheme as a single daughters parent.
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to leave my daughter alone. Who will take care of her
DQGZKRZLOOIHHGKHUZKHQ,DPRIIWRWKHKRVSLWDO
IRU WKH SURFHGXUH" , DP WROG WKDW LW ZLOO WDNH RQO\
DQKRXUEXWDPDOVRVFDUHG,DOUHDG\IHHOVRZHDN
and faint at times. What if the operation affects my
health further? Who will take care of my daughter
then? She was very weak and malnourished when
she was three years old and had to be admitted into
a Nutritional Rehabilitation Centre (NRC). They
SURYLGHG JRRG FDUH DQG QXWULWLRXV PHDOV , DOVR
VWD\HG ZLWK KHU , ZDV FRPSHQVDWHG IRU WKH ZDJH
ORVV LQFXUUHG IRU WKH  GD\V WKDW , VWD\HG WKHUH ,
UHFHLYHG UXSHHV   GROODUV 6LQFH WKHQ P\
GDXJKWHUVKHDOWKKDVLPSURYHG,UHDOO\KRSHWKDW
, JHW PRQH\ WR EXLOG D VPDOO GZHOOLQJ IRU KHU DQG
myself to live peacefully.

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something for both of us to eat and also
to take some food to the work site.
DPSP , OHDYH IRU ZRUN
E\ DP $W WLPHV , NQRZ ZKHUH ,
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primarily work at the brick kiln, which
LVDKDOIKRXUZDONDZD\,KDYHWRFDUU\
my daughter, as she is too frail to walk.
We have our lunch at around noon.
7KHQ,PDNHKHUVOHHSLQDVKDG\VSRW
ZLWKLQ P\ VLJKW , ZRUN WLOO SP LQ
the evening, collect my wage and walk
EDFN KRPH , SXUFKDVH D IHZ HVVHQWLDO
items on my way back.
DPSP:KHQ,UHDFKKRPH
,SUHSDUHWHDIRUERWKRIXVDJDLQ,EDWKH
my daughter and take one, too, if there is
HQRXJKZDWHU,WLVUHIUHVKLQJDQGKHOSV
to get rid of the dirt and sweat of the
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IRUERWKRIXV1RUPDOO\LWLVMXVWERLOHG
ULFH ZLWK VRPH DYRXU 0\ GDXJKWHU
is a poor eater. Sometimes, we also sit
with our neighbours, who are good to
XV , VHUYH GLQQHU E\ DURXQG SP DQG
then clean the kitchen, chulha and
XWHQVLOV7KHQ,VSUHDGWKHPDWRQWKH
RRU DQG SXW P\ GDXJKWHU WR VOHHS $W
times, she wakes in the middle of the
QLJKW DQG , KDYH WR VRRWKH KHU EDFN
to sleep.

/DDGOL/D[PL6FKHPHZDVLQWURGXFHGE\WKH*RYHUQPHQWRI0DGK\D3UDGHVKZLWKWKHREMHFWLYHWROD\DUP
foundation of girls future through improvement in their educational and economic status and to bring about a positive
FKDQJHLQVRFLDODWWLWXGHWRZDUGVELUWKRIDJLUO)ROORZLQJLWVVXFFHVVRWKHU,QGLDQVWDWHVKDYHHPXODWHGWKHVFKHPH




1XWULWLRQ5HKDELOLWDWLRQ&HQWUHLVDMRLQWLQLWLDWLYHRI'HSDUWPHQWRI+HDOWKDQG'HSDUWPHQWRI:RPHQDQG&KLOG
'HYHORSPHQW*RYHUQPHQWRI,QGLD/DXQFKHGLQ-XO\WKHSULPDU\DLPRIWKHFHQWUHVLVWRUHGXFHVHYHUHWR
moderate malnutrition.

Cook stove.





A C C E S S T O I N F R A S T R U C T U R E ,
A D A P T I N G T O C L I M A T E C H A N G E &
(19,5210(17$/6867$,1$%,/,7<
Since the 1980s, sustainability has been used more in terms of human sustainability on Earth. The
PRVWZLGHO\TXRWHGGHQLWLRQ144 of sustainable development is that which meets the needs
of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
7KHGHQLWLRQHQFRPSDVVHVWKHLQKHUHQWWHQVLRQDQGFRQVWDQWUHFRQFLOLDWLRQUHTXLUHGEHWZHHQWKH
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environmental, social equity and economic demands.
AdaptationWRFOLPDWHFKDQJHFDQEHGHQHG145 as a response that seeks to reduce the vulnerability
of biological systems to the ecological and social changes caused by the rise in global temperatures.
,W LV HVSHFLDOO\ LPSRUWDQW LQ GHYHORSLQJ FRXQWULHV, which are predicted to bear the brunt of the
effects of climate change and where the capacity and potential for humans to adapt is unevenly
distributed across different regions and populations. Adaptive capacity for humans to climate
change implies, in the immediate instance, the ability to ensure basic survival for oneself and closest
of kin, that basic needs continue to be met in the face of climate variability, that there is minimum
destabilisation in the short term and creating conditions to ensure alternative survival and means of
livelihood over the medium to long-term.
INTERSECTIONALITY: %HIRUHPHHWLQJVRFLDOHTXLW\DQGHFRQRPLFGHPDQGLPSHUDWLYHVEDVLF
QHHGVUHTXLUHWKDWHYHU\RQHPXVWKDYHWKHULJKWWRZDWHUVDIHKRXVLQJDQGVKHOWHUVDQLWDWLRQDQG
basic infrastructure such as electricity and access to proper roads to live a life of dignity. The lack
RIDQ\RIWKHVHQHJDWLYHO\LPSDFWVZRPHQDQGJLUOVLQGLVSURSRUWLRQDWHZD\V,QUXUDOFRQWH[WVWKH
responsibility of managing and procuring water for all household needs falls on women and girls,
with implications for their health, time, opportunity cost to earn a living and pursue growth-related
opportunities or education, in the case of girls. Lack of sanitation violates their sense of dignity
DQG SULYDF\ ,W LPSDFWV ZRPHQ DQG JLUOV IDU PRUH WKDQ PHQ DQG ER\V GXH WR VHFXULW\ FRQFHUQV
biology and the need for hygiene and privacy, especially during menstruation and pregnancy. Lack
of water and sanitation even impacts the ability of women to carry out their traditional roles and
tasks of washing dishes, clothes, fetching water, cleaning up their children and infants, cleaning
WKHKRXVHIHHGLQJWKHOLYHVWRFN,IZRPHQGRQRWSHUIRUPWKHVHUROHVSURSHUO\RQDUHJXODUEDVLV
they are faced with the threat of gender-based violence. Lack of proper housing impacts the entire
household but especially women, who spend the maximum amount of time at home and are most
susceptible to accidents such as a collapsing roof or structure. For single women, elderly, widows,
DEDQGRQHGZRPHQGHVWLWXWHZRPHQVXIIHULQJIURP+,9DQG$,'6RUGLVDELOLW\DQGRUSKDQHGJLUOV

:RUOG6XPPLW2XWFRPH'RFXPHQW5HVROXWLRQ$DGRSWHGE\WKH8QLWHG1DWLRQV*HQHUDO$VVHPEO\
RQ6HSWHPEHU$YDLODEOHIURPKWWSGDWDXQDLGVRUJ7RSLFV8QLYHUVDO$FFHVVZRUOGVXPPLWRXWFRPHB
UHVROXWLRQBRFWBHQSGIDFFHVVHG-XQH


United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Glossary of Climate Change Acronyms.
$YDLODEOHIURPKWWSXQIFFFLQWHVVHQWLDOBEDFNJURXQGJORVVDU\LWHPVSKSDFFHVVHG-XQH


Daniel H. Cole, Climate Change, Adaptation, and Development, Faculty Publications,QGLDQD8QLYHUVLW\3DSHU

$YDLODEOHIURPZZZUHSRVLWRU\ODZLQGLDQDHGXIDFSXEDFFHVVHG-XQH




0/3DUU\DQGRWKHUV(GV&OLPDWH&KDQJHImpacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability, Contribution of Working
*URXS,,WRWKH)RXUWK$VVHVVPHQW5HSRUWRIWKH,QWHUJRYHUQPHQWDO3DQHORQ&OLPDWH&KDQJH&DPEULGJH8QLYHUVLW\
3UHVV$YDLODEOHIURPZZZLSFFFKSXEOLFDWLRQVBDQGBGDWDSXEOLFDWLRQVBLSFFBIRXUWKBDVVHVVPHQWBUHSRUWBZJB
UHSRUWBLPSDFWVBDGDSWDWLRQBDQGBYXOQHUDELOLW\KWPDFFHVVHG-XQH

76

proper housing provides basic social security whereas its absence leaves them highly vulnerable to
poverty, hunger, exploitation and premature death. Lack of access to proper roads impact mobility
for women and girls, ability to earn a livelihood, pursue education and health, particularly during
SUHJQDQF\DQGFKLOGGHOLYHU\/DFNRIHOHFWULFLW\VLPLODUO\LPSDFWVZRPHQWKHFKLHIPDQDJHUVRI
WKHKRXVHKROGE\UHVWULFWLQJWKHLUDELOLW\WRFDUU\RXWKRXVHKROGZRUNHDUQDOLYHOLKRRGFDUHIRU
their children and take care of their health as well as their own, especially during summer months.
Socially and geographically marginalised women suffer the most from lack of basic infrastructure.
As reported by Oxfam Canada, climate change has made the risky business of farming all the
PRUHGLIFXOWZKLFKLPSOLHVWKDWZRPHQWKHPDMRULW\RIVPDOOVFDOHDQGPDUJLQDOIDUPHUVLQWKH
ZRUOGZRUNKDUGHUDQGWKHLUIDPLOLHVHDWOHVV&OLPDWHFKDQJHKDVLQFUHDVHGRRGVGURXJKWVDQG
water-related diseases, which alone kill over two million people every year, most of them women and
FKLOGUHQ:RPHQDUHWKHDOVRWKHSULPDU\FDUHJLYHUVIRUWKHVLFN,QGLJHQRXVZRPHQEHDUDWULSOH
burden, as climate change is threatening their natural habitats and way of life, identity and overall
well-being. Womens long workdays are even longer as unpredictable rainfall leads to scarcity of
food, fuel and water and women have to walk longer and farther to collect these resources, often
putting themselves at greater risk of violence.

0'*V $FFHVV WR ,QIUDVWUXFWXUH $GDSWLQJ WR &OLPDWH &KDQJH 

(QYLURQPHQWDO6XVWDLQDELOLW\
0'*(1685((19,5210(17$/6867$,1$%,/,7<
TARGETS
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of sustainable development into
country policies and programmes
and reverse the loss of environmental
resources

INDICATORS
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333
&RQVXPSWLRQRIR]RQHGHSOHWLQJVXEVWDQFHV
3URSRUWLRQRIVKVWRFNVZLWKLQVDIHELRORJLFDOOLPLWV
3URSRUWLRQRIWRWDOZDWHUUHVRXUFHVXVHG
7DUJHW%Reduce biodiversity
ORVVDFKLHYLQJE\DVLJQLFDQW 3URSRUWLRQRIWHUUHVWULDODQGPDULQHDUHDVSURWHFWHG
3URSRUWLRQRIVSHFLHVWKUHDWHQHGZLWKH[WLQFWLRQ
reduction in the rate of loss
7DUJHW&+DOYHE\WKH
3URSRUWLRQRISRSXODWLRQXVLQJDQLPSURYHGGULQNLQJ
proportion of people without
water source
sustainable access to safe drinking
3URSRUWLRQRISRSXODWLRQXVLQJDQLPSURYHG
water and basic sanitation
sanitation facility
7DUJHW'%\WRKDYH
3URSRUWLRQRIXUEDQSRSXODWLRQOLYLQJLQVOXPV
DFKLHYHGDVLJQLFDQWLPSURYHPHQW
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slum dwellers

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-XQH



The actual proportion of people living in slums is measured by a proxy, represented by the urban population living in
KRXVHKROGVZLWKDWOHDVWRQHRIWKHIRXUFKDUDFWHULVWLFVDODFNRIDFFHVVWRLPSURYHGZDWHUVXSSO\EODFNRIDFFHVVWR
LPSURYHGVDQLWDWLRQFRYHUFURZGLQJRUPRUHSHUVRQVSHUURRPDQGGGZHOOLQJVPDGHRIQRQGXUDEOHPDWHULDO
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77

 :KLOH DOO WKH LQGLFDWRUV UHODWHG WR HQYLURQPHQWDO VXVWDLQDELOLW\ ZHUH DLPHG DW SURWHFWLQJ WKH
earths environment, the goal did not factor in the very real, extensive and devastating impact
RIVKLIWLQJZHDWKHUSDWWHUQVDQGFOLPDWHFKDQJHRQSHRSOHVOLYHVDQGOLYHOLKRRGV:RPHQWKH
PDLQFDUHJLYHUVRIIDPLOLHVDQGPDMRULW\RIVPDOOVFDOHDQGPDUJLQDOIDUPHUVDUHHVSHFLDOO\
LPSDFWHGLQXQLTXHZD\VZKLFKPHULWVHSDUDWHJHQGHUEDVHGLQGLFDWRUV
 7KH0'*IUDPHZRUNULJKWO\DGGUHVVHGWKHWZLQLVVXHVRIODFNRIZDWHUDQGVDQLWDWLRQ+RZHYHU
instead of aggregate indicators measuring proportion of population, sharper indicators such
as number of people with a toilet in their household or number of people with a piped water
connection in their household would have been more effective at delivering desired public policy
shifts and success in extending reliable cover of water and sanitation.
 7KHIUDPHZRUNOHIWRXWFULWLFDODVSHFWVRILQIUDVWUXFWXUHVXFKDVDFFHVVWRURDGVDQGHOHFWULFLW\
ERWKRIZKLFKKDYHPDMRULPSOLFDWLRQVIRUKHDOWKHGXFDWLRQSRYHUW\OLYHOLKRRGVDQGDOORWKHU
measures of well-being, especially for women and girls.

Women of India Speak

 2QH RI WKH JUDYHVW FRQFHUQV ZRPHQ VKDUHG
is of successive failure of rains, which, in the
absence of alternate sources of irrigation, is
resulting in crop failure, hunger and poverty.
,W LV DGYHUVHO\ LPSDFWLQJ WKRVH SULPDULO\
dependent on rain-fed agriculture,
especially subsistence farmers. The effects are
being felt in the form of increased debt burden,
displacement from primary occupation, food
insecurity and, in extreme cases, landlessness.

We faced such a (water) crisis

WKLV\HDUWKDWRXUHOGVGULHGXS
There was no food or water
even for livestock
cows and buffaloes were
literally dying of thirst.

 :RPHQVKDUHGWKDWFOLPDWHFKDQJHLVLPSDFWLQJKRXVHKROGQXWULWLRQDVWKH\QRZKDYHWREX\
vegetables instead of growing them, which has increased expenditure. Women are screening
food items based on costs, resulting in
reduced nutrition for the family and
3UROHRQSDJHH[DPLQHVWKH
devastating impact of climate change on rural especially women, who eat the least or
last due to their nurturing caregivers
farming households, especially in entirely
rain-fed areas (absence of irrigation facilities) roles and existing nutritional
discrimination against them and girls
and how it is forcing women into daily wage-
in favour of men and boys, especially
based agricultural labour or migration.
in many rural households.

Housing
 0DQ\SRRUDQGROGZRPHQH[SUHVVHGPDMRUFRQFHUQVDERXWWHPSRUDU\KRXVLQJWKDWFKHGDQG
living in constant fear of their houses collapsing. They also shared related concerns about, poor
GZHOOLQJVWUXFWXUHVVXFKDVZDWHUVHHSDJHGXULQJUDLQKHDOWKLVVXHVDQGWKHQDQFLDOEXUGHQRI
regular maintenance.


Due to fewer opportunities and higher population of landless households and agricultural labour, poverty is most
concentrated in rain-fed regions. Bharat R. Sharma and others, Realising the potential of rain-fed agriculture in India.
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Water and Sanitation

 :DWHUDFFHVVDYDLODELOLW\DQGTXDOLW\DUH
RI XWPRVW SULRULW\ IRU ZRPHQ ,Q DOPRVW DOO
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if not foremost, challenge in their lives.

3UROHRQSDJHVKHGV
light on the nature and extent of
challenges women and girls face
due to lack of water and sanitation
through the personal account of a
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desert state where the lack of water
is particularly pronounced.
3UROHRQSDJHSURYLGHVWKH
perspective of a Dalit woman i.e.
belonging to a socially marginalised
community and how members
of their community are unable to
access a water source in their village
due to caste-based discrimination.

Its not possible for poor people

to make a toilet themselves. What
if I take debt, make the toilet and
the government doesnt reimburse
the cost up to the amount we are
supposed to get as support as a
family living below the poverty
line? Right now, we are managing
somehow and living in peace. At
least we dont have to deal with
the stress of paying debt.

 7KH FKDOOHQJHV RI PDQDJLQJ SURFXULQJ DQG

fetching water from far distances remain
NH\FRQFHUQVIRUDPDMRULW\RIZRPHQ7KH\
feel that water shortage and collection is
very time-consuming and keeps them from
attending to more productive activities. They
are also concerned about lack of drinking water facilities, which leads to sending girls to fetch
water from an early age.
 :RPHQVKDUHGWKDWZDWHUVKRUWDJHVGXULQJVXPPHUPRQWKVDUHSDUWLFXODUO\VHYHUHDQGDIIHFW
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VRDFXWHWKDWSHRSOHDUHQGLQJWKHLURZQFRSLQJPHFKDQLVPVVXFKDVSXUFKDVLQJZDWHURQD
UHJXODUEDVLVZKLFKLVLQFUHDVLQJWKHQDQFLDOEXUGHQRISRRUIDPLOLHV
 6RPHZRPHQUHSRUWHGWKDWWKH\KDGSLSHGZDWHUFRQQHFWLRQLQWKHLUYLOODJHVEXWWKHZDWHURZ
RUTXDQWLW\LVYHU\ORZRULQDGHTXDWH6RPHVKDUHGWKDWWKHQXPEHURIKDQGSXPSVSHUYLOODJH
DUHLQDGHTXDWH
 :DWHUVKRUWDJHLVHVSHFLDOO\DPDMRULVVXHLQYLOODJHVZLWKRXWDQ\LUULJDWLRQ
 :RPHQDOVRUDLVHGZDWHUTXDOLW\FRQFHUQVVXFKDVKLJKOHYHORIXRULGHRUFRQWDPLQDWHGZDWHU
7KH\ FRUUHODWHG LPSURYHG ZDWHU DQG VDQLWDWLRQ IDFLOLWLHV ZLWK EHWWHU TXDOLW\ RI OLIH DQG OHVV
disease burden. They shared concerns about many new diseases (kidney stones, TB, typhoid,
chikungunya, dengue fever and cancer), which they felt is due to the use and consumption of
untreated water. Some women also shared that most villagers consumed water without boiling it
or using any purifying methods.
Dalit or Scheduled Caste is a designation for a group of people regarded as untouchable and occupying the lowest
rung of the Hindu caste system, which ordered and ranked humanity by innate spiritual purity.



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MRLQWV





 7KHPDMRUFKDOOHQJHVZRPHQIDFHZLWKUHJDUGVWRVDQLWDWLRQDUHQRQDYDLODELOLW\RIWRLOHWVSRRU
drainage facilities, poor services in peri-urban areas and behaviourial challenges in terms of
peoples use of sanitation facilities and services and lack of maintenance.
 :RPHQ IHHO WKH VKRUWDJH RU ODFN RI ZDWHU DQG WRLOHWV PRVW DFXWHO\ GXULQJ PHQVWUXDWLRQ DQG
pregnancy.
 ,QVRPHGLVWULFWVZRPHQVKDUHGWKDWWKHLUYLOODJHVDUHDSHUFHQWIUHHRIRSHQGHIHFDWLRQEXW
this is a rare exception rather than the rule. Women living in peri-urban areas raised concerns
UHJDUGLQJXUEDQLVDWLRQZKLFKLVHDWLQJXSDOOWKHRSHQVSDFHDQGODQG,QWKHDEVHQFHRIWRLOHWV
and expanding population, they are concerned about the shrinking space to defecate.

,IWKHUHZHUHVXIFLHQWWRLOHWV
villages would remain cleaner
and repeated cases of
diarrhoea among children
might also be avoided.
It will be transformative for us.

 :RPHQ LGHQWLHG WKUHH UHDVRQV ZKLFK

PRWLYDWH SHRSOH WR EXLOG WRLOHWV  VSDFH
crunch, government incentives and
increased levels of awareness regarding the
ill-effects of open defecation on health.
 :RPHQ IURP YHU\ SRRU KRXVHKROGV RU
villages shared that they dont have the space
to build toilets, or money or water availability
and thus focus on other priorities.

 :RPHQDOVRGUHZDOLQNEHWZHHQODFNRIWRLOHWVDQGZDWHULQVFKRROVDQGDKLJKHUVFKRROGURSRXW
rate among girls as a result, especially among teenagers.

Roads
 :RPHQFLWHGODFNRIJRRGDQGZHOOFRQQHFWHGURDGVWRYLOODJHVDVDFULWLFDOFKDOOHQJH
 ,QPDQ\VWDWHVZRPHQGUHZDVWURQJOLQNEHWZHHQKHDOWKUHODWHGFRQFHUQVHVSHFLDOO\SUHJQDQF\
DQGSRRUURDGV)UHTXHQWFDVHVRISUHJQDQF\UHODWHGFRPSOLFDWLRQVDQGHYHQPDWHUQDOGHDWKV
are directly associated with poor roads and infrastructure.
 :RPHQIRXQGODFNRIURDGLQIUDVWUXFWXUHDQGWUDQVSRUWIDFLOLWLHVHVSHFLDOO\LQWKHUDLQ\VHDVRQ
DVPDMRUGHWHUUHQWVWRWKHLUPRELOLW\DELOLW\WRIHWFKZDWHUFROOHFWIXHOZRRGJRWRZRUNLQWKH
HOGVDQGWKHLUFKLOGUHQVHGXFDWLRQ

Electricity
 ,QWULEDODQGUHPRWHDUHDVHVSHFLDOO\ZRPHQFLWHG
PDMRUSRZHUUHODWHGSUREOHPVDQGGUHZDVWURQJ
link between the lack of electricity and negative
impact on childrens education and health.

3UROHRQSDJHUHYHDOVWKH
full magnitude of lack of electricity
on a poor household from a tribal
womans perspective.

 :RPHQOLYLQJLQUHPRWHYLOODJHVVKDUHGWKDWZKLOH
a power connection exists, they dont receive
UHOLDEOHHOHFWULFLW\VXSSO\:RPHQOLYLQJLQSHULXUEDQDUHDVFRPSODLQHGRIIUHTXHQWSRZHUFXWV



SUVARNA AMRUTAPPA ALKATTI

The Gods must be angry
Due to changes in
climate and scanty
rainfall, the agricultural
output has decreased.
We have lost hope of
seeing returns on the
investments we made in
our land.

Photo @ UN Women/Mayank Pratap Singh

$W UVW JODQFH RQH PD\ GLVPLVV

Suvarna as one among many rural
women. Demure and petite, with
an unassuming personality, she
happens to be the vice-president
of her gram panchayat153 in
Dharwad District, located in the
southern state of Karnataka and
a 3-hour drive away from Goa.
She reluctantly shares the stage
with other elected representatives
and maintains complete silence
through the duration of the gram
sabha,154 hiding the unceasing
undercurrents in her mind the
daily rigours of life, her struggle for
survival and an uncertain future
in the face of shifting weather
patterns and climate change.
,QPRVWGHYHORSLQJFRXQWULHVZRPHQDUHWKHPDLQXVHUVDQGPDQDJHUVRIQDWXUDOUHVRXUFHVDQG
WKH\ GHSHQG RQ DJULFXOWXUHUHODWHG DFWLYLWLHV IRU WKHLU VXVWHQDQFH ,Q ,QGLD ZRPHQ FRQVWLWXWH
SHUFHQW of the agricultural work force and all farm-related activities. Their average contribution
LVHVWLPDWHGDWSHUFHQWWRSHUFHQWRIWKHWRWDOODERXU:RPHQDOVRIRUPWKHPDMRULW\RI
VPDOODQGPDUJLQDOIDUPHUVZKRFRQVWLWXWHRYHUSHUFHQWRIIDUPLQJKRXVHKROGVLQ,QGLDDQG
are the worst affected by climate change. As agricultural labour, they experience loss of production
and livelihoods, food insecurity, further vulnerability and marginalisation, fall in a debt trap and in
H[WUHPHFDVHVVXIIHUODQGOHVVQHVV'HYHORSLQJFRXQWULHVVXFKDV,QGLDZKLFKDUHKLJKO\YXOQHUDEOH
to climate change, also experience patterns of persisting poverty. The ripple effect has impeded
the progressive realisation or even reversed progress of many development efforts, including
the MDGs.
INTERSECTIONALITY: Small scale farmer, married, mother of four children, owns small plot of
land, daily wage agricultural labourer, indebted.
Footnotes overleaf



, ZDV  ZKHQ , ZDV PDUULHG WR P\ PDWHUQDO

uncle. Life was good. My husband took good care
of the family, my in-laws loved me and we were
KDSS\ LQ RXU OLWWOH ZRUOG , KDYH VSHQW DOPRVW
 \HDUV LQ WKLV YLOODJH ,QJDOKDOOL , KDYH IRXU
FKLOGUHQWZRJLUOVDQGWZRER\VDQGWKH\DOO
DWWHQGVFKRRO,DPDOVRWKHYLFHSUHVLGHQWRIP\
gram panchayat.

Earlier, we grew crops and

vegetables of our choice in our
HOGV7KHUHZDVYDULHW\LQWKH
food I prepared at home. Now we
have to purchase all the grocery
items and vegetables. We have to
prioritise spending on food items
according to the cost and not
nutritional value. Only the bare
essential is purchased on a
regular basis.
We are farmers and we own two acres of
agriculture land. That provides our sole source
of livelihood and income. Till recent times,
there was ample produce and we had enough to
last us for a year. We grew crops and vegetables
LQ RXU HOGV 7KHUH ZDV HQRXJK IRGGHU IRU WKH
livestock, food for the family and also cash crops
to sell in the market.
/LIHKDVFKDQJHGGUDVWLFDOO\LQWKHSDVW\HDUV
since my marriage. The past two years have

especially seen a change for the worse. The

climate has changed drastically and this has
impacted rains. Due to poor rains, agricultural
productivity has suffered. The produce is not
even enough to feed the family, let alone earn
income from it. This has been the case with
all subsistence farmers in our village. The
agriculture in this region is rain-fed. There is no
DOWHUQDWH VRXUFH RI LUULJDWLRQ ,I UDLQ IDLOV RXU
crops suffer. For such a small land holding, it
is not economical to dig a bore well, as it is very
expensive.

For the past two years,

I have been working as daily
ZDJHDJULFXOWXUDOODERXULQHOGV
in a nearby village because our
crops failed. There are times
when I have to go asking for work
and search for opportunities,
which is time-consuming and
physically exhausting. The nature
of works depends on the season.
It is different during harvesting
but regardless of the season, it is
intensive and backbreaking.
Under the present circumstances, farming is no
longer a viable option for us. We have to spend
money on fertilisers, manure and seeds. We have
to take loans hoping that we will repay them
when we reap a good produce. Due to changes

/RFDOVHOIJRYHUQPHQWDWWKHYLOODJHOHYHOLQ,QGLD



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3DSHU7KH:RUOG%DQN$YDLODEOHIURPKWWSERRNVJRRJOHFRLQDFFHVVHG-XQH



German Watch, The Millennium Development Goals and Climate Change:Taking Stock and Looking Ahead.
$YDLODEOHIURPKWWSJHUPDQZDWFKRUJNOLPDNOLPGJHSGIDFFHVVHG-XQH



The existing pattern of failure in achieving the MDGs correlates with areas where high climate vulnerabilities are
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$YDLODEOHIURPKWWSZZZLSFFFKSGIDVVHVVPHQWUHSRUWDUZJDUZJFKDSWHUSGIDFFHVVHG-XQH






in climate and scanty rainfall, the agricultural

output has decreased and we have lost hope of
seeing returns on the investments we made on
our land. There is no point working hard to farm
on our own lands now. We need money for our
daily survival needs. We take loans to sustain
ourselves. Our earnings are spent on repayment
RIORDQVDQGWKHQZHWDNHDQRWKHURQHDQGQG
ourselves trapped in the debt cycle.
Earlier, we grew crops and vegetables of our
FKRLFHLQRXUHOGV7KHUHZDVYDULHW\LQWKHIRRG
, SUHSDUHG DW KRPH 1RZ ZH KDYH WR SXUFKDVH
all the grocery items and vegetables. We have to
prioritise spending on food items according to
the cost and not nutritional value. Only the bare
essential is purchased on a regular basis.
, KDYH WZR FRZV 0DLQWDLQLQJ WKHP LV DQ
expensive and arduous task. We now purchase
the fodder for the cows, which was sourced
IURP RXU RZQ HOG XQWLO D IHZ \HDUV DJR 7KH
PLON RXWSXW KDV DOVR GZLQGOHG IURP  OLWUHV
WROLWUHVSHUGD\,VSHQGKRXUVLQDGD\
WHQGLQJ WR WKH FRZV ,W LV ODERXU LQWHQVLYH DQG
very expensive maintaining them. Most villagers
including myself use fuel wood for cooking. We
gather it once a week as we have to trek almost
YHNLORPHWUHVDQGLWWDNHVDOPRVWWZRWRWKUHH
hours.

$GD\LQWKHOLIHRI Suvarna

DPDP , ZDNH XS DQG SUHSDUH WHD IRU WKH

family and then wake everyone else up. The
children have to get ready for school.
DPDP , KDYH WR UXVK WR WKH QHDUE\
HOGVEHIRUHGD\EUHDNWRQGDFRYHUHGVHFOXGHG
SODFHWRGHIHFDWH,WDNHP\GDXJKWHUDORQJDV,
am scared to leave her alone.
DPDP,FOHDQWKHFDWWOHVKHG7KLVLVD
ORWRIZRUN,WLVLPSRUWDQWWRPDLQWDLQK\JLHQH
in the shed, as it is part of the dwelling enclosure.
, OO XS WKH ZDWHU DQG IRRG FRQWDLQHUV IRU WKH
cattle and then milk the cows.
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NLWFKHQ 7KHUH LV QR EDWKURRP , DOVR ZDVK DV
PDQ\FORWKHVDV,FDQLQWKHPRUQLQJEXWWKHUH
are days when there is no time for this.
DP , ERLO WKH PLON 3UHSDUH WKH
meal for the family. Now that we work in the
agriculture land in the neighbouring village,
, KDYH WR HQVXUH WKDW HYHU\WKLQJ PRYHV OLNH
FORFNZRUN ,I ,P ODWH IRU ZRUN WKHQ HLWKHU ZH
miss the days opportunity for labour or our
ZDJHLVVODVKHG,PDNHWLIQ for my husband
and myself to take to work. The children are
provided free mid-day meals in the school itself
through a government scheme.

)RU WKH SDVW WZR \HDUV , KDYH EHHQ ZRUNLQJ

DV GDLO\ ZDJH DJULFXOWXUDO ODERXU LQ HOGV LQ D
nearby village because our crops failed. There
DUH WLPHV ZKHQ , KDYH WR JR DVNLQJ IRU ZRUN
and search for opportunities, which is time-
consuming and physically exhausting. The
QDWXUH RI ZRUNV GHSHQGV RQ WKH VHDVRQ ,W LV
different during harvesting but regardless of the
VHDVRQLWLVLQWHQVLYHDQGEDFNEUHDNLQJ,DOVR
have the added responsibilities of an elected
leader and have to take time out to attend
to work and meetings. At times, it feels like a
double burden and also leads to loss of daily
wages.

DPSP,OHDYHIRUZRUNLQDKXUU\
$WWLPHVWKHZRUNSODFHLV[HG,KDYHP\PHDO
LQWKHIDUPVZLWKRWKHUODERXUHUV,UHWXUQKRPH
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EHXVHGDVIXHO0\FKLOGUHQDUHJURZQXSVR,
dont have to worry too much about taking care
of them when they return from school. There are
GD\VZKHQ,YLVLWP\IDUPWRVHHLIDQ\ZRUNLV
UHTXLUHGWKHUH

, ZDQW P\ FKLOGUHQ WR VWXG\ , QHYHU LQYROYH

WKHPLQKRXVHKROGFKRUHVRULQIDUPLQJ,IWKH
rain fails again, we will never be able to free
RXUVHOYHV RI GHEW , PD\ DOVR KDYH WR VHOO P\
FRZV,DPQRWYHU\RSWLPLVWLFDERXWRXUIXWXUH.

SPSP , SUHSDUH GLQQHU IRU WKH

IDPLO\ $IWHU HYHU\RQH LV GRQH ZLWK GLQQHU ,
FOHDQ WKH XWHQVLOV DQG NLWFKHQ , KDYH WR FOHDQ
the chulha as well as it needs to be prepared
for the next day.

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,IUHVKHQXSDQGWKHQPLONWKHFRZVDQGFOHDQ
WKHVKHG,HQVXUHWKDWWKH\KDYHVXIFLHQWZDWHU
and fodder.

SPSP We all go to sleep.

Lunch box.



Cook stove.





Photo @ UN Women/Divya Gupta

SAVITRI
Water is life, toilets are dignity

The children bathe everyday but I normally have to bathe every

alternate day. What to do? One has to tell the truth.
It must have been the largest mahila sabha162 gathering in Alwar District in recent times. Over
150 women clad in Rajasthans famed bright-coloured saris163 and jewellery made a banal school
classroom appear like colourful coral life under sea or a Van Gogh painting coming alive. The
mood was heated at the start women werent happy with the village president sitting across
and werent hiding it. And yet, fellow women were frowning upon anyone speaking up, which
didnt stop a lanky but assertive lady from getting up and making her point anyway. Luckily, for
6DYLWULZKRZDVDWWHQGLQJKHUUVWVXFKPHHWLQJVKHUDLVHGDQLVVXHWKDWIRXQGUHVRQDQFHDFURVV
the room and immediate murmurs of support their demand for access to safe water and toilets.
Across developing countries, cultural norms and expectations place the burden of fetching and
managing water for all household needs on women and young girls. As a result, they walk long
GLVWDQFHV FDUU\ KHDY\ EXFNHWV DQG ZDLW IRU KRXUV LQ TXHXHV DW D ZHOO RU D VROH KDQG SXPS 7KH
work is time-consuming and back-breaking, often performed during oppressive heat or weather.
7KHZDWHUFDQEHFRQWDPLQDWHGHYHQGHDGO\:RPHQDQG\RXQJJLUOVWKXVIDFHDGLIFXOWFKRLFH
certain death without water or possible death from illness. Lack of sanitation further violates their
VHQVHRIGLJQLW\VHOIUHVSHFWDQGSULYDF\ZKLOHFRPSURPLVLQJWKHLUKHDOWKDQGVDIHW\,WOHDGVWRJLUOV
dropping out from school, especially after reaching puberty. Although the MDG target on providing
DFFHVVWRVDIHGULQNLQJZDWHUZDVPHWLQLQ,QGLDDFFRUGLQJWRRIFLDOVWDWLVWLFVZRPHQUHSRUWHG
a widespread and crippling lack of safe water and sanitation facilities.
INTERSECTIONALITY: Below the poverty line, mother of three children, lack of safe water and
sanitation, Dalit (scheduled caste).
Footnotes overleaf



:DWHULVOLIH<RXQHHGZDWHUIRUHYHU\WKLQJWR
drink, clean the house, bathe, wash clothes and
XWHQVLOVPRSRRUVFRRNIDUPDQGJURZFURSV
DQGZDVKDQGIHHGOLYHVWRFN,JUHZXSZLWKYH
sisters and two brothers. My father was poor
and so we didnt study. My mother was weak
and so we started doing housework and fetching
water at an early age. One of the sisters used to
carry a heavy rope on her shoulder to pull the
ZDWHUEXFNHWRXWRIWKHZHOORQHXVHGWRFDUU\
the ghada and another sister used to carry a
EXFNHW2QWKHZD\EDFNLWZDVGLIFXOWFDUU\LQJ
all the water along with that heavy rope as well.
The well was at least half a kilometre away and
so we walked about one kilometre daily at least.
Nowadays, if someone has money, they can
JHW D KDQG SXPS LQVWDOOHG ,I WKH\ DUH ULFK
they can even get a motor pump installed that
sends the water up from underground through
electricity. Otherwise, in most rural houses,
women and girls fetch water and walk at least
half a kilometre one way with buckets and pots.
The way to our village well is also kuccha,
not pucca. We wear slippers but at the well,
slippers are not allowed. Earlier, people of my
Dalit caste were not allowed to wear slippers in
front of Thakurs but now nobody is scared.
This change came about because of community
awakening brought about by following our
leader, BR Ambedkar.
2XUZDWHUUHTXLUHPHQWIRUDGD\LVDWOHDVW
earthen pots. Sometimes, we had to go almost
 WLPHV D GD\ ,I ZH KDYH JXHVWV WKH ZDWHU
consumption increases. But the water in our
village well dried up a few years ago. So, what to

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FRQWUDFW ZRUN DQG QDOO\ VDYHG HQRXJK PRQH\
WREX\DKDQGSXPS,WFRVWUXSHHV
GROODUVEXW,WKRXJKWWKDWLWVEHVWWRVSHQGWKH
money on getting water facility right at home,
HVSHFLDOO\IRUWKHFKLOGUHQ,WSURYLGHVRQO\WKUHH
buckets of clean water in one go. By the fourth
EXFNHWLWVWDUWVWKURZLQJXSPXG6RZHOOWKH
water and keep it aside and wait for the mud to
settle down before using the water. The water
OHYHOLVDOVRJRLQJGRZQ,QDQRWKHU\HDURUWZR
it will provide only one bucket of clean water.

Men and boys can still manage

but women and girls really
struggle. Where should they sit?
They have look for a spot where
there are no men.
Either they have to go very
early in the mornings
or a girls mother has to
go along in the dark.
After all, we have to
take care of a girls security.
7KH FKLOGUHQ EDWKH HYHU\GD\ EXW , QRUPDOO\
have to bathe every alternate day. What to do?
2QHKDVWRWHOOWKHWUXWK,KDYHDOOWKHGRPHVWLF
work to do and have to reach the work site in the
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WDNHV DWWHQGDQFH DQG ,P QRW WKHUH WKHQ P\
ZDJHVJHWFXW6R,PLQDKXUU\LQWKHPRUQLQJV

:KLOHWKHJUDPVDEKDLVDPHHWLQJRIDOOWKHDGXOWFLWL]HQYRWHUVRIWKHYLOODJHWKHPDKLODVDEKDLVWKHZRPHQV
FRXQWHUSDUWRIDJUDPVDEKDPHHWLQJZLWKSDUWLFLSDWLRQRQO\E\ZRPHQLQWKHYLOODJH,WLVPHDQWWRSURYLGHDSODWIRUPWR
discuss challenges facing women that can be raised by them comfortably without fear of the power dynamics present in a
IXOOHGJHGRIFLDOYLOODJHPHHWLQJZLWKPHQSUHVHQWDVZHOO



Also spelt as Saree, it is a strip of unstitched cloth, worn by women, ranging from four to nine yards in length that is
GUDSHGRYHUWKHERG\LQYDULRXVVW\OHVZKLFKLVQDWLYHWRWKH,QGLDQ6XEFRQWLQHQW



Dalit or Scheduled Caste is a designation for a group of people regarded as untouchable and occupying the lowest
rung of the Hindu caste system, which ordered and ranked humanity by innate spiritual purity.


Earthern pot or pitcher made of clay or mud used to carry or fetch water.



Dirt track of mud.




Black tar-topped road.

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%KLPUDR5DPML$PEHGNDUZDVDQ,QGLDQMXULVWSROLWLFDOOHDGHUSKLORVRSKHUDQWKURSRORJLVWKLVWRULDQRUDWRU
HFRQRPLVWWHDFKHUHGLWRUSUROLFZULWHUUHYROXWLRQDU\DQGDUHYLYDOLVWRI%XGGKLVPLQ,QGLD+HZDVDOVRWKHFKLHI
DUFKLWHFWRIWKH,QGLDQ&RQVWLWXWLRQ%RUQLQWRDSRRU0DKDUIDPLO\FRQVLGHUHGDQ8QWRXFKDEOHFDVWHKHEHFDPHRQH
RIWKHUVWDalitsWRREWDLQDFROOHJHGHJUHHLQ,QGLDDQGFDPSDLJQHGDJDLQVWVRFLDOGLVFULPLQDWLRQDQGWKH+LQGXFDVWH
system and converted to Buddhism.





, VWLOO GRQW KDYH D WRLOHW 6R ZH KDYH WR JR

outside to relieve ourselves and bathe by
HUHFWLQJDUWLFLDOZDOOVXVLQJFKDLUVDQGsaris.
, KDYH WR FKRRVH D WLPH ZKHQ QR RQH LV DW
home. We keep our blouse and petticoat on
ZKLOHEDWKLQJMXVWLQFDVHVRPHPDOHIDPLO\
PHPEHU FRPHV WKURXJK ,I WKDW KDSSHQV ,
reach for the shawl right next to me and cover
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his work and gone. During menstruation, it
LV PRVW LQFRQYHQLHQW :H QHYHU XVHG SDGV
we had to use cloth. We wash the cloth and
recycle it for use, alternating with another
clean cloth. Now there is a hospital, so women
get pads there but mostly poor women have
to use cloth. They cant even talk about these
things openly.
You can take small children anywhere but
once children become mature, like my three
sons are now, they feel more conscious.
When children go to relieve themselves in
VRPHRQHV HOGV WKHQ SHRSOH GRQW OHW WKHP
XVHWKDWDUHD7KH\JKWZLWKXVDQGFRPSODLQ
WKDW \RXU FKLOGUHQ ZHQW LQ RXU HOGV $QG
theres no space to go anywhere now since
more people have settled in the village. Men
and boys can still manage but women and
girls really struggle. Where should they sit?
They have look for a spot where there are no
men. Either they have to go very early in the
mornings or a girls mother has to go along in
the dark. After all, we have to take care of a
girls security.
,I,ZHUHJLYHQDFKDQFH,ZRXOGUHTXHVWWKH
government to build toilets in our houses so
children and women dont have to go outside.
Also, if we get proper water supply in houses
or at least a tank close by from where women
RIWKHYLOODJHFDQFROOHFWZDWHUDQGRXWWWKH
WDQN ZLWK  WDSV WKHQ SHRSOH ZLOO VWRS
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WKHJRYHUQPHQWFDQWDNHRXWDVFKHPHLQYH
\HDUVEXWWRLOHWVDUHUHDOO\XUJHQWZHQHHG
them now.

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the house and then feed them some fodder.
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WLHG $IWHU WKDW , WDNH WKHLU IUHVK GXQJ WR WKH
HOGVPDNHFDNHVRXWRIWKHPDQGOHDYHWKHP
to dry so they can be used for fuel and cooking
SXUSRVHV7KHQ,FRPHEDFNDQGPDNHWHD
DPDP , JLYH WHD WR P\ FKLOGUHQ P\
husband and in-laws and then drink a cup
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and clean the whole house and wash clothes.
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UHDG\ IRU KLP DQG WKHQ , KHOS WKH FKLOGUHQ WR
JHW UHDG\ IRU VFKRRO SUHSDUH WKHLU WLIQ and
they leave for school. When we didnt have the
KDQGSXPS,XVHGWRFDUU\WZRgaddas on my
head and maybe take one in the hand and go
to collect water at the well. There were long
lines and it took at least one or two hours to get
WKHDPRXQWUHTXLUHG)RUWKHHYHQLQJ,KDGWR
collect water again.
DPSP%\DP,DOVROHDYHIRUZRUNRQWKH
days that it is available through MGNREGA.
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JUDVV RQ WKH ZD\ EDFN KRPH ,I ZRUN WKURXJK
the scheme is not available, then we work in
RWKHU SHRSOHV HOGV 3HRSOH LQ RXU FRQGLWLRQ
have to work, no matter what.
SPSP , IHHG WKH OLYHVWRFN DQG WKHQ
prepare dinner. After my children, husband and
LQODZV HDW , QLVK P\ GLQQHU WRR ,I WKHUHV
food left then well and good but if there isnt any
OHIWWKHQ,HYHQJRWREHGKXQJU\VRPHWLPHV
SPSP,FOHDQXSWKHNLWFKHQDUHDZDVK
the utensils and go to sleep.

An ankle-length underskirt worn with the Sari by women in South Asia, usually matching the colour of the sari.



Lunch Box.
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Photo @ UN Women/Swapna Bist-Joshi

NAGARATHNAMMA
Stand by us

I know that caste-based discrimination is an offence but we cannot

complain. It is a question of our daily bread and butter. Most of us have
no land. Only some families possess smallholdings. Working in the
XSSHUFDVWHOGVSURYLGHVRXURQO\VRXUFHRILQFRPH
Nagarathnamma lives an hour away from south Indias culturally rich city of Mysore. Born into
a family of human scavengers, she has breathed and lived social exclusion and marginalisation
throughout her life. Like other members of her community, she has internalised this marginal
status as a constant in life. She does have a modest desire the right to equal access and control
over the natural source of water provided by a small lake in her village. Upper-caste families of
the village have barred her and members of her community from using or even going near it.
1DJDUDWKQDPPD H[XGHV DQ DLU RI VHOIDVVXUHG FRQGHQFH DQG LV RSWLPLVWLF WKDW MXVWLFH ZLOO EH
served. Her dream and aspiration for her children is a just and equitable future, which she hopes
to experience in her lifetime.
Social exclusion is a discriminatory practice that segregates and excludes a group of people on
the basis of identity leading to oppression and exploitation of such groups. This phenomenon is
PRVWO\LQWHUJHQHUDWLRQDODQGGHHSO\HQWUHQFKHG3RYHUW\LVERWKDFDXVHDQGFRQVHTXHQFHRIVRFLDO
H[FOXVLRQ7KHLQFLGHQFHRISRYHUW\GHFOLQHGLQ,QGLDRYHUWKHSDVWWZRGHFDGHVDQGZDVHVWLPDWHG
DWSHUFHQWLQEXWLWZDVKLJKHU among marginalised communities such as scheduled
FDVWHVDOPRVWSHUFHQWLQUXUDODUHDVDQGSHUFHQWLQXUEDQDUHDV7KH$FFHVV,QGH[RIDVVHW
RZQHUVKLSGHQHGDVWKHVKDUHRIDVVHWVRZQHGE\WKHFRPPXQLW\GLYLGHGE\WKHFRPPXQLW\VVKDUH
of population) across social groups was the lowestIRUVFKHGXOHGFDVWHVDVRI0DUJLQDOLVHG
people such as scheduled castes have suffered social exclusion and alienation for generations, exhibit
poor human development indicators and capabilities agency as compared to the general population
and are often bypassed by development efforts and progress.
INTERSECTIONALITY: Woman belonging to a scheduled caste, father was a human scavenger,
KDV  VLEOLQJV VWXGLHG WLOO th standard, owns a small plot of land, lives in a segregated hamlet
for scheduled castes, unable to access water and other common resources due to caste-based
discrimination.
Footnotes overleaf



0\ QDPH LV 1DJDUDWKQDPPD , ZDV ERUQ LQ

6DW\DJDODYLOODJHRI0\VRUH'LVWULFW,ZDVSDUW
RI D KXJH IDPLO\ :H DUH  EURWKHUV DQG WZR
sisters. My father worked as a human scavenger.
, KDYH VWXGLHG RQO\ WLOO WKH th standard. My
SDUHQWV PDUULHG PH RII ZKHQ , ZDV  \HDUV
of age. My husband works as a daily wage
DJULFXOWXUDO ODERXUHU , KDYH WKUHH GDXJKWHUV
and one son. The eldest daughter is married. My
son contributes to the family income and also
works as a labourer in the village. My younger
two daughters are studying in school. We live
in our own house and own a small piece of
agricultural land.

The village has a natural source

of water a small lake.
The Gowdas (upper caste) have
total control over who uses it.
We are Dalits or untouchables
and so, we are not permitted even
close to it, let alone use it. They tell
us, You cannot use this water and
pollute it. My community never
tries to break this unwritten rule.
,WLVUPO\IROORZHG
We are Dalits. ,Q P\ YLOODJH WKHUH DUH DW
OHDVW  IDPLOLHV EHORQJLQJ WR P\ FRPPXQLW\
All these families are clustered into a hamlet
that is segregated from where the upper caste
families live. Gowdas form the dominant upper
caste community in the village. They own all the
agricultural land in the village. Our communitys
primary occupation is to work as agricultural
labour in the land of the Gowdas.

7KH YLOODJH KDV D QDWXUDO VRXUFH RI ZDWHU  D

small lake. The Gowdas (upper caste) have
total control over who uses it. We are Dalits or
untouchables and so, we are not permitted
even close to it, let alone use it. They tell us,
<RX FDQQRW XVH WKLV ZDWHU DQG SROOXWH LW 0\
community never tries to break this unwritten
UXOH ,W LV UPO\ IROORZHG ,I VRPHRQH IURP
our community is ever found using that water,
the dominant community will group up and
physically shove the person away. We tried
to build a channel across the road that could
transfer water from this source to the other end.
By doing so, we thought we would be able to use
the water and also avoid the risk of polluting
the water source by accessing it directly. The
Gowdas resented that. They choked that channel
with stones and mud. The channel is now
completely blocked. This is our most immediate
and pressing concern.
There is a bore well for our community. We have
to collect water only from that bore well and
wash clothes and utensils close to our house.
The water supply is intermittent from the bore
ZHOO DQG QRW VXIFLHQW IRU HYHU\RQH :H DOVR
KDYHWRTXHXHXSIRUKRXUVWRZDLWIRURXUWXUQ
7KHERUHZHOODOVRNHHSVPDOIXQFWLRQLQJ,QGLUH
circumstances, the only alternative is an old well
in the village. We have to pull bucket loads from
LWZKLFKLVVWUHQXRXV7KHTXDQWLW\RIZDWHULQ
WKHZHOOLVDOVRQRWVXIFLHQW
,IZHKDYHDFFHVVWRWKHODNHZHZLOOEHDEOHWR
use the water at our convenience. There will also
EHQRZDLWLQJ,WLVPXFKPRUHFRPIRUWDEOHIRU
us to wash our clothes at the lake as ample water
is available and its a time saver. The upper caste
community also has a bore well. We are not
permitted to even come near it, let alone touch it
or take water from there. Even our kids cannot
wander near it.

,QGLD,QVWLWXWHRI$SSOLHG0DQSRZHU5HVHDUFK3ODQQLQJ&RPPLVVLRQIndia Human Development Report 2011:

Towards Social Inclusion$YDLODEOHIURPKWWSZZZLPFKDQJHRUJGRFV,+'5B6XPPDU\SGIDFFHVVHG-XQH






,ELG

66XEUDPDQLDQDQG'-D\DUDM7KH'LVWULEXWLRQRI+RXVHKROG:HDOWKLQ,QGLD5HVHDUFK3DSHU1R
:RUOG,QVWLWXWHIRU'HYHORSPHQW(FRQRPLF5HVHDUFK8QLWHG1DWLRQV8QLYHUVLW\)LQODQG$YDLODEOHIURP
ZZZZLGHUXQXHGXVWFUHSHFSGIVUSUSSGIDFFHVVHG-XQH



The Millennium Development Goals Report, 2011 8QLWHG1DWLRQV3XEOLFDWLRQ6DOHV1R(,$YDLODEOHIURP

KWWSZZZXQRUJPLOOHQQLXPJRDOVB0'*5HSRUWB(1SGIDFFHVVHG-XQH



Dalit or Scheduled Caste is a designation for a group of people regarded as untouchable and occupying the lowest
rung of the Hindu caste system, which ordered and ranked humanity by innate spiritual purity.





, NQRZ WKDW FDVWHEDVHG GLVFULPLQDWLRQ LV DQ

RIIHQFHEXWZHFDQQRWFRPSODLQ,WLVDTXHVWLRQRI
our daily bread and butter. Most of us dont own
land. Only some families possess smallholdings.
We are subsistence farmers. Working in the upper
FDVWHHOGVLVRXURQO\VRXUFHRIZRUNDQGLQFRPH
,I ZH UHDFW DQG FRPSODLQ ZH PD\ KDYH WR VXIIHU
the ire of the dominant community and lose our
only source of living. We cannot afford to make
them unhappy and work against their wishes. We
DOVR WDNH ORDQV IURP WKHP ZKHQ UHTXLUHG ,I ZH
make them unhappy they will also not loan us any
money. How will we take care of our family and
their needs then? There are no other employment
options close to our village.
We are not permitted to visit the village temple
as upper caste people visit it. We are not even
permitted to set foot near the dewal. We go to
the neighbouring village, where our community
has built a dewal. Our children and men are not
SHUPLWWHGDKDLUFXWDWWKHYLOODJHEDUEHUVKRS,IZH
go forcefully or complain, then the barber will be
boycotted. None of the upper caste members and
FKLOGUHQZLOOXVHKLVVHUYLFH,WZLOOKLWKLVEXVLQHVV
and he will suffer losses. So we take our children to
the barbershop in town. There, no one knows our
caste and so, there is no discrimination.
,Q VFKRROV DOO WKH FKLOGUHQ VWXG\ WRJHWKHU EXW
women from my community are ostracised and
barred from preparing the free mid-day meals that
children are supposed to get under a government
scheme. Only members from the upper caste can
cook and serve food to the children. At the local
village tea stall, the cups and glasses (mostly
disposable) are separately designated for our
community. The tea is poured into them from a
distance. The person who pours the tea then leaves
the spot. Then, we pick our cups from that spot.
After we drink the tea, we have to throw our cups
or wash our own cups and glasses.
We can bear the rest but the social ostracism related
to water affects us the most and our daily routine.
Time is precious for us. We are daily wagers and
receive payment according to the number of hours
ZRUNHG LQ D GD\ ,W LPSDFWV ZRPHQ WKH PRVW
because we have to wash clothes and manage water.
,IH[FHVVLYHWLPHLVVSHQWFROOHFWLQJDQGPDQDJLQJ
ZDWHU LW LPSDFWV RXU GDLO\ ZDJH , MXVW ZDQW WKDW
there should be a designated spot for us to wash
FORWKHVDWWKHODNH,WFRXOGEHDQ\FRUQHU

$GD\LQWKHOLIHRI
1DJDUDWKQDPPD
DPDP , ZDNH DW VL[ LQ WKH
PRUQLQJ , JR WR WKH HOGV WR DQVZHU
the morning call. We dont have toilets
LQ RXU KRXVHV 2Q P\ ZD\ WR WKH HOG ,
SODFHHPSW\EXFNHWVLQWKHTXHXHLQIURQW
of the sole tap water connection for the
FRPPXQLW\2QP\ZD\EDFN,FKHFNWKH
VWDWXVRIWKHTXHXHDQGOOWKHEXFNHWV$W
times, when its my turn, the water supply
VWRSV,FDUU\WKHEXFNHWORDGEDFNKRPH
My children and husband also help with
WKLV,SUHSDUHWHDIRUHYHU\RQHFOHDQWKH
house and tidy it up.
DP , WDNH D EDWKH DQG WKHQ
prepare food for the family. The children
OHDYH IRU VFKRRO , ZDVK WKH XWHQVLOV
DQG FOHDQ WKH NLWFKHQ , DOVR WU\ WR ZDVK
FORWKHVLI,KDYHWKHWLPHDQGZDWHU$IWHU
FRPSOHWLQJWKHPRUQLQJFKRUHV,OHDYHIRU
WKHHOGVRZQHGE\WKH*RZGDFRPPXQLW\
to work as a daily wager.
DPSP We work from eight in the
morning till six in the evening and receive
 UXSHHV  GROODUV DV RXU ODERXU
charges for a day. We also take our food
ZLWKXV0\KXVEDQGDQG,ZRUNWRJHWKHU
2QWKHZD\EDFNIURPWKHHOGV,FROOHFW
IXHOZRRGIURPWKHQHDUE\IRUHVWRUHOGV
7KLVWDNHVXSDOPRVWKRXUVDGD\
6pm-9pm: , FRPH KRPH SUHSDUH WKH
evening tea and wash clothes if there is
ZDWHU ,Q WKH HYHQLQJ ZH KDYH WR TXHXH
up for water again. A lot of my chores and
WLPHPDQDJHPHQWLVFRQWLQJHQWRQWKLV,
prepare the evening meal and serve it to
WKH IDPLO\ PHPEHUV , FOHDQ WKH NLWFKHQ
wash the utensils and prepare the chulha
for the next day.
SPSP , DP WRWDOO\ H[KDXVWHG E\
SPSPDQGJRWRVOHHS7KHQH[WGD\
we follow the same schedule. Nothing
changes for us.

3ODFHRIZRUVKLSRUWHPSOH
Cook Stove.






Photo @ UN Women/Pranab K. Aich

MAMINA SAHU
Life on re-charge

In my village, the metre shows that there is electricity in our homes but
the voltage is so low that if you touch the wire with your bare hands,
you will not even feel a slight shock. You will not feel anything.
No one notices Mamina sitting quietly in a corner with her son during the proceedings of the
local mahila sabha180 in Dhenkanal District, located close to Indias south-eastern coastline and
among the most backward districts in the country. She intently listens to the discussion being held
on female foeticide, simultaneously checking the movements of her 8-year-old son, who is busy
playing with a bamboo stick. Her main worry is that her son has not completed his homework and
soon the sun will set. Electricity is a luxury for Mamina, which she receives for a maximum of one
hour a day. If she misses charging her rechargeable torch today, she will lose her only source of
light to last the night.
0DPLQDLVDPRQJWKHPLOOLRQ,QGLDQVZKROLYHZLWKQRRUOLWWOHDFFHVVWRHOHFWULFLW\*OREDOO\
RIWKHHVWLPDWHGELOOLRQSHRSOHSHUFHQWRIWKHZRUOGSRSXODWLRQOLYLQJZLWKOLPLWHGRUQR
DFFHVVWRHOHFWULFLW\,QGLDKDVWKHVLQJOHODUJHVWFRQFHQWUDWLRQ7KHXQHTXDOGLVWULEXWLRQRIHQHUJ\
has the largest impact on the vulnerable poor, especially poor women and children in rural areas,
DUJXHVDUHSRUWHQWLWOHG7KH&DVHIRU0HHWLQJWKH0LOOHQQLXP'HYHORSPHQW*RDOVWKURXJK
$FFHVVWR&OHDQ(OHFWULFLW\E\WKH*OREDO(QHUJ\1HWZRUN,QVWLWXWH5XUDOZRPHQVSHQGPXFKRI
WKHLULQFRPHDQGWLPHRQWU\LQJWRDFFHVVHQHUJ\VRXUFHVLWVWDWHVFLWLQJH[DPSOHVZRPHQDQG
\RXQJJLUOVVSHQGDOPRVWVL[KRXUVDGD\JDWKHULQJIXHOZRRGDQGZDWHUFRRNLQJDQGIDUPLQJWKH\
ZDONORQJGLVWDQFHVDYHUDJLQJPLOHVSHUGD\ULVNLQJWKHLURZQVDIHW\DQGKHDOWKDQGWKDWRI
their children.
INTERSECTIONALITY: 6WXGLHG WLOO th standard, married, mother, gets electricity for an
hour a day.
Footnotes overleaf



0\ QDPH LV 0DPLQD 6DKX DQG , DP  \HDUV

ROG , ZDV D JRRG VWXGHQW DQG DPRQJ WKH YHU\
IHZLQWKHYLOODJHZKRFRPSOHWHGth standard
EXWFROOHJHZDVWRRIDUDQGVR,ZDVQRWVHQWWR
VWXG\IXUWKHU,OLYHZLWKP\KXVEDQG\HDUROG
son and mother-in-law.
,Q P\ YLOODJH WKH PHWUH VKRZV WKDW WKHUH LV
electricity in our homes but the voltage is so low
that if you touch the wire with your bare hands
you will not even feel a slight shock. You will not
feel anything. We receive proper voltage for an
hour or less but not always. We do all our work
GXULQJ WKDW WLPH  FKDUJH RXU PRELOHV ZDWFK
television, charge a rechargeable torch for the
night, which takes one hour and can work up
WR  KRXUV RU ZH XVH D ODQWHUQ 2WKHUZLVH
we have to live in the dark. At all other times,
WKH HOHFWULFLW\ LV YHU\ GLP ,Q RWKHU ZRUGV WKH
YROWDJH LV QRW VXIFLHQW IRU DQ\ NLQG RI SURSHU
XVH(YHQDODPHQWLQVLGHDEXOEGRHVQRWVKRZ
any sign of lighting up. We have no idea when
or for how long the electricity will come? When
there is proper voltage in the house, there are
DOZD\V JKWV EHFDXVH RQH SHUVRQ ZDQWV WR GR
VRPHWKLQJDQRWKHUZDQWVWRGRVRPHWKLQJHOVH
,WV DOZD\V EHHQ OLNH WKLV VLQFH , FDPH WR WKLV
village. The present life is full of sorrows. When
, ZDV DW P\ SDUHQWV KRPH , ZDV YHU\ KDSS\
7KHUH ZDV VXIFLHQW ZDWHU DQG HOHFWULFLW\ DQG
HYHU\WKLQJ LQVLGH WKH KRXVH ZRUNHG  WKH
WXEHZHOO WHOHYLVLRQ DQG IULGJH , KDG WR ZRUN
there, too, but life was easier because biogas
was available. We never had to worry about
JDWKHULQJUHZRRGIRURXUNLWFKHQ(YHU\WKLQJ
ZDVTXLFNHUDQGGRQHLQDKDVVOHIUHHPDQQHU
Through biogas, we had electricity in our house
and could cook properly and watch television.
(YHQZDVKLQJFORWKHVZDVHDVLHU,ZRXOGVZLWFK
on the motor and the clothes could be washed in
our compound only. We did not have to travel to
any pond or lake to wash them like we have to do
QRZ:KHQ,FDPHWRWKLVYLOODJHDIWHUPDUULDJH

, XVHG WR FU\ WKH ZKROH GD\ EHFDXVH WKHUH ZDV

WRR PXFK ZRUN DQG QR FRPIRUW  /DWHU , JRW
used to it.
Right now, the winter season is going on and
VR,ZHDUVRPHWKLQJZDUPDQGVOHHSSHDFHIXOO\
at night. During the summer and rainy season
WKRXJK ZH IDFH WHUULEOH WLPHV 3HRSOH LQ RWKHU
villages use coolers in the summer afternoons
RUDWOHDVWIDQV,MXVWNHHSUROOLQJWKHKDQGIDQ
throughout the day. The house roof gets so hot
GXULQJ WKH VXPPHU WKDW , KDYH WR SRXU ZDWHU
on the rooftop, which provides only temporary
relief. We usually go outside to get shade under
some tree because the heat inside is unbearable.
&KLOGUHQJHWVLFNHOGHUVVXIIHUIURPVXQVWURNH
There is also no hospital nearby and the roads
are not good.

The biggest problem children

face is the loss of their education
they are not able to have the right
frame of mind for studying.
They will be able to study only if
the feel comfortable, right?
,W LV DOVR XQEHDUDEOH WR FRRN LQ WKH VXPPHUV
it gets too hot near the chulha,I,FRRNERWK
WLPHV LQ D GD\ WKHQ , VWDUW GHYHORSLQJ KHDOWK
complications. We suffer from prickly heat the
VL]HRIELJERLOV6R,FRRNRQO\LQWKHHYHQLQJV
and then reheat the food in the morning and
serve everyone. To avoid food from getting
VSRLOW,VRPHKRZDGMXVWDQGPRVWO\FRRNIULHG
food and use a gas stove but it is very expensive
WKHVH GD\V 6R VRPHWLPHV , FRRN P\ IRRG RQ
the chulha especially during winters to save on
gas.,WZRUNVRXWWREHPXFKFKHDSHU
During the rainy season, there are different
FKDOOHQJHV ,W LV GDQJHURXV WR JR RXW IRU IHDU
of snakes, insects or other animals. Children
cannot go out in the dark even if they have to


:KLOHWKHJUDPVDEKDLVDPHHWLQJRIDOOWKHDGXOWFLWL]HQYRWHUVRIWKHYLOODJHWKHPDKLODVDEKDLVWKHZRPHQV
counterpart of a gram sabha meeting with participation only by women in the village.

(QHUJ\)DFWV:RUOG%DQN$YDLODEOHIURPKWWSZHEZRUOGEDQNRUJ:%6,7((;7(51$/723,&6(;7(1(5*
<FRQWHQW0'.aSDJH3.aSL3.aWKH6LWH3.KWPODFFHVVHG-XQH

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Cook stove.



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relieve themselves. The windows have to be kept

open sometimes for some air. The whole house
LV IXOO RI LQVHFWV DQG PRVTXLWRHV EHFDXVH WKH\ DUH
attracted to the lantern light.
The biggest problem children face is the loss of
WKHLUHGXFDWLRQWKH\DUHQRWDEOHWRKDYHWKHULJKW
frame of mind for studying. They will be able to
study only if the feel comfortable, right? My son
RIWHQ FRPSODLQV WKDW KH LV IHHOLQJ KRW LI WKH IDQ
is not working then he is not able to concentrate.
+HKDVWRQLVKKLVZRUNEHIRUHLWJHWVGDUNRUXVH
WKH ODQWHUQ RU WKH WRUFK WR FRPSOHWH LW , FKDUJH
the torch especially for him. Children also cannot
SOD\EHFDXVHE\WKHWLPHWKH\QLVKWKHLUZRUNLW
is dark and not safe outside. There are locally made
lanterns available, which are much cheaper than
the rechargeable torch and work on kerosene. But
my sons nose bled from the smoke emitted by a
kerosene-based lantern.

If you could live the kind of life we

are leading daily for even 2-3 hours,
it would be a big thing. You would
not be able to survive the heat for
even 2-3 minutes.
Most of the time, we lose our crops because there
LV QR ZD\ WR LUULJDWH WKH HOGV :H FDQQRW XVH
JHQHUDWRUV EHFDXVH WKH ZDWHU VRXUFH LV IDU ,I P\
husband was in some service, then we might have
moved but he is a farmer and has land, so we cannot
WKLQNRIJRLQJRXWRIWKLVYLOODJH%XW,DPQRWJRLQJ
to bind my son in any way. He is free to move out
and settle down wherever he likes. Why should he
suffer?
7HQWR\HDUVIURPQRZWKHVLWXDWLRQLVQRWJRLQJ
WR FKDQJH LW LV JRLQJ WR UHPDLQ WKH VDPH ,I \RX
could live the kind of life we are leading daily for
HYHQKRXUVLWZRXOGEHDELJWKLQJ<RXZRXOG
QRWEHDEOHWRVXUYLYHWKHKHDWIRUHYHQPLQXWHV



$GD\LQWKHOLIHRI0DPLQD
DP,WLVVWLOOGDUNZKHQ,ZDNHXS$IWHU
IUHVKHQLQJ XS , VWDUW GRLQJ KRXVHKROG
chores, which includes cleaning the
house and tending to my cow.
8am:,ZDNHXSP\VRQDQGSUHSDUHKLP
IRU VFKRRO , FRRN D VPDOO PHDO IRU KLV
VFKRRO OXQFK , ZDQW KLP WR VWXG\ DQG
leave this village so that he does not have
to suffer like his parents.
DPSP , WDNH P\ EDWK SUHSDUH
lunch for everyone and take care of my
DLOLQJ PRWKHU LQODZ ,W LV H[WUHPHO\
GLIFXOW IRU XV WR VXUYLYH WKH VXPPHU
DIWHUQRRQVZLWKRXWDIDQ,NHHSPRYLQJ
a hand fan for hours in front of my
mother-in-law to keep her cool and
SURWHFWKHUIURPDKHDWVWURNH,ZDLWIRU
WKHHOHFWULFLW\HDJHUO\VRWKDW,FDQFKDUJH
my rechargeable torch for the night.
6RPHWLPHV,KDYHWRZDLWWKHZKROHGD\
SPSP After my son returns from
VFKRRO , LPPHGLDWHO\ DVN KLP WR QLVK
his homework while there is still some
daylight. He gets upset with me because
KHGRHVQWJHWHQRXJKWLPHWRSOD\EXW,
dont want his education to suffer.
6pm-8pm: We light all the kerosene
lamps in the house by 6pm because it
EHFRPHVSLWFKGDUNE\WKHQ,UHDOLVHP\
family members are getting allergic to
the smoke from these lamps.
SPSP,DPQRZXVHGWRSUHSDULQJ
dinner in dark. Everyone eats dinner in
WKHGDUNWRR,FOHDQXSDQGE\SPZH
go off to sleep.

G E N D E R E Q U A L I T Y &
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increasing the capacity of individuals or groups to make choices and to transform those choices
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context which govern the use of these assets.
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on disability, race, ethnicity, religion, or gender or the process of obtaining basic opportunities
for marginalised people, either directly or through the help of others and encouraging and
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INTERSECTIONALITY: %DVHG RQ WKH DERYH GHQLWLRQV womens empowerment necessarily
includes promoting a range of enabling conditions, skills and access starting with wholesome
nutrition, health care (especially reproductive health care), opportunities to pursue education, decent
livelihood, self-development and growth, skills (life and vocational) enhancement and income-
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all levels, freedom from all forms of violence, access to soft and hard infrastructure to meet basic
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gender-based power asymmetries tend to be more pronounced due to entrenched patriarchy and
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DQGWKHLUVXUYLYDOOHWDORQHDFWLYHHPSRZHUPHQW7KXVDFRQFHUWHGHIIRUWLVUHTXLUHGWKURXJKSXEOLF
policy-making and implementation to deliver all of the above, particularly to marginalised women.
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FDQ EH GHQHG LQ WHUPV RI PHQ DQG ZRPHQ DQG ER\V DQG JLUOV EHLQJ DEOH WR HQMR\ WKH VDPH
rights, opportunities and protections.

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TARGETS
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gender disparity in primary
and secondary education,
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levels of education no later
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INDICATORS
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education
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sector
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womens empowerment (GEWE) seem conceptually aligned with the Gender Empowerment

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81,&()Promoting Gender Equality: An Equity-Focused Approach to Programming. Available from

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emphasis on womens relative incomes, participation in high-paying positions with economic
power and access to professional and parliamentary positions.
 *RDOLQFOXGHGRQO\RQHLQGLFDWRUWRPHDVXUHSROLWLFDOHPSRZHUPHQWWKHSURSRUWLRQRIVHDWV
held by women in national parliament, entirely ignoring the entire spectrum of sub-national and
local level decision-making, which impact the lives of the poorest women in developing countries
WKHPRVW$EULHIDQDO\VLVRIWKH,QGLDQH[SHULPHQWZLWKSROLWLFDOUHSUHVHQWDWLRQIRUZRPHQLQ
local self-government institutions is instructive for any emerging development agenda in terms
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3DUWLFLSDWLRQLQ'HFLVLRQ0DNLQJRQSDJHVWR
 8QGHU WKH 0'* IUDPHZRUN WKH VROH LQGLFDWRU WR PHDVXUH HFRQRPLF HPSRZHUPHQW ZDV WKH
VKDUHRIZRPHQLQZDJHHPSOR\PHQWLQWKHQRQDJULFXOWXUDOVHFWRUZKLFKZDVPLQLPDOLVW,W
was also a curious choice as the bulk of the labour force in development countries is engaged in
DJULFXOWXUHDVLQIRUPDOODERXUDQGZRPHQFRQVWLWXWHDODUJHSHUFHQWDJHDQGRIWHQDPDMRULW\RI
this labour force category.
4. The MDG framework did not address skills development and training, which is crucial for
economic empowerment and came up as the most common demand from women across all
states for their economic betterment.
 2Q JHQGHU HTXDOLW\ *RDO  IRFXVVHG VROHO\ RQ SDULW\ EHWZHHQ JLUOV DQG ER\V LQ HGXFDWLRQ
ZKLFKLWVHOILVQRWDVWURQJPHDVXUHRIHTXDOLW\)RULQVWDQFHLWZDVIRXQGWKDWLQPDQ\SODFHV
girls are attending primary school in an even higher ratio than boys. However, various factors
such as security, poverty, distance, cultural norms and expectations and lack of soft and hard
infrastructure impact education and retention of girls in schools, especially beyond primary
VFKRRO$PRUHFRPSUHKHQVLYHPHDVXUHPHQWRIJHQGHUHTXDOLW\FRXOGKDYHLQFOXGHGWDUJHWVIRU
greater awareness of rights among women and girls through legal literacy and communication
campaigns, increasing their access to property rights and common resources, levelling the
SOD\LQJHOGIRUZRPHQVHQWU\DQGSDUWLFLSDWLRQLQDOOVSKHUHVRIVRFLHW\RQDQHTXDOIRRWLQJ
ZLWK PHQ VWDUWLQJ IURP WKH KRXVHKROG JKWLQJ QXWULWLRQDO GLVFULPLQDWLRQ WKURXJK WDUJHWHG
nutrition schemes for girls) to going to school and college without obstacles, learning new skills,
VHFXULQJMREVHTXDOZDJHVIRUHTXDOZRUNDQGHTXDOUHSUHVHQWDWLRQLQDOOGHFLVLRQPDNLQJSXEOLF
institutions and parity in political representation at all levels.

Women of India Speak

Gender Equality
 $PRQJVW PRVW ZRPHQ WKHUH ZDV D PDUNHG
Men oppress women with the
sense of the subordinate role they they
occupy in society and their households,
fear of violence and humiliation.
which was attributed to the traditional roles
In some households, women also
and restrictions imposed on them. Men have
dominate but in very few.
a dominant position in the society because
WKHUHDUHQRUHVWULFWLRQVRQWKHPWKH\DUHQRW
burdened by various duties and are free to move out, grow and develop more than women, who
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PHQDQGZRPHQDUHERUQWRIXOOGLIIHUHQWGXWLHV2WKHUVIHOWPHQDQGZRPHQIRUPDV\VWHP
which has to work together for the family. Still others felt that men are demanding, authoritative
and also critical of the work women did.


 :RPHQ DOVR DWWULEXWHG WKHLU VXERUGLQDWH

position to their low levels of education
DQG UHVXOWLQJ LQDELOLW\ WR QG JRRG MREV DQG
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they said that if they fail to do something or
VHUYHDPHDORQWLPHWKHQPHQTXDUUHORULW
often becomes an excuse for violence.

Men dont even carry a bucket

from the courtyard to
the bathroom. You think they will
go collect water from
4-5 kilometres away?

 :RPHQDOVRLGHQWLHGODFNRILQIRUPDWLRQDVDELJIDFWRUWKDWPDNHVWKHOLYHVRIPHQDQGZRPHQ
GLIIHUHQWDQGGLIFXOWIRUWKHPHVSHFLDOO\

My husband and I both earn.

My husband spends all is money
on himself and then asks me what
I did with mine. If I answer back,
he beats me. So, I end up giving
him my money. How can you say
there is equality between men
and women?

 9LROHQFHDJDLQVWZRPHQGXHWRWKHH[LVWLQJ
gender gap came up as a big challenge.
Women expressed their helplessness in this
regard as they are living their lives under
daily restraint and fear.

 )HHGEDFN IURP ZRPHQ LQ WULEDO UHJLRQV

revealed clearly that contrary to popular
SHUFHSWLRQ JHQGHU LQHTXDOLW\ H[LVWV DPRQJ
tribal societies and is in fact widening, not
decreasing. Women living in tribal areas felt
that both men and women earn money but
the difference is that men spend the money on themselves whereas a woman will spend it on her
family. Other women felt the situation is similar in non-tribal areas and even if they earn money
and contribute to the family income, the credit always goes to the head of the family. A man
will say he is maintaining the family even though he might not be doing anything to contribute
towards the family.

 $UHDVZKHUHDFFHVVWREDVLFVHUYLFHVRIZDWHU
education, health services had improved also
reported an improvement in womens overall
status and well-being, implying a very strong
link between access to basic needs and services
DQGJUHDWHUJHQGHUHTXDOLW\

If a boy is born, then people say

that all our sorrows have gone.
If a girls is born,
then they say that our sorrows
have now begun.

If husband and wife are educated,

then both of them will work
equally. The problem is with
uneducated families, where
women have to work more.

 $JLUOVOLIHLVDVGLIFXOWDVDZRPDQVOLIHLV
LQWKHUXUDOFRQWH[W%R\VHQMR\DIDYRXUDEOH
position and conditions for their growth and
development, whereas the same can not be
said for girls. Restrictions on their movement
E\ IDPLO\ PHPEHUV IXOOOLQJ JHQGHU UROHV
early marriages, preparing for matrimonial

roles and contributing to domestic work and livelihood and income-generation for the family
impede their opportunities for education, employment and growth. The situation is improving in
XUEDQDUHDVEXWLQUXUDODUHDVZRPHQIHOWWKDWWKHSULRULW\IRUJLUOVLVVWLOOWRIXOOWKHLUWUDGLWLRQDO
UROHVUVW


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household, it is always expected from girls and women. Boys are not asked to help. Some women
even acknowledged that women love boys more and parents are to blame for this. Cultural norms
and traditions also contributed to assigning a higher position in society such as boys performing
the last rites on a parents death.

Womens Empowerment
Most women did feel that there have been positive, even some transformative, changes in their
lives over the past decade compared to previous generations. Women shared that they have greater
visibility, more women are educated and employed now than before, there is better social security
cover especially for pregnant and lactating mothers, reduced maternal mortality and greater health-
related facilities. They have greater representation in governance and increased levels of awareness.
*RYHUQPHQW VFKHPHV VSHFLFDOO\ DLPHG DW ZRPHQV GHYHORSPHQW KDYH DOVR LQFUHDVHG +RZHYHU
they also pointed out several issues that remain unaddressed and new concerns, which are affecting
them adversely.
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EHHQEURDGO\HQFDSVXODWHGXQGHUWKHVHYHQFDWHJRULHVEHORZ

1. Nutrition and Healthcare

 7KHUH ZDV JHQHUDO FRQVHQVXV UHJDUGLQJ LPSURYHPHQWV LQ KHDOWK FDUH VHUYLFHV IRU SUHJQDQW
women and lactating mothers, reported decrease in maternal and child mortality in villages,
mushrooming of primary health care centres in villages and hospitals closer to them to access
and greater awareness regarding family planning and the importance of a small family. However,
women did raise concerns regarding administrative delays and absenteeism of medical staff
(doctors and nurses), overcrowding, long waiting hours and unpleasant and insensitive treatment
at government hospitals, all of which combined, led poor families to often seek private health
care, placing a huge burden on them.
 0DQ\ZRPHQDFURVVGLIIHUHQW JHRJUDSKLHV LGHQWLHG VKLIWLQJ ZHDWKHU SDWWHUQV DQG VXFFHVVLYH
failure of rains as the reason for crop failure and greater food insecurity. These women said
they could no longer work on their farms and are being forced to work either as labour on other
peoples farms or as migrant labour without any rights and ability to negotiate wages.
 7KHUHKDVEHHQDQHJDWLYHLPSDFWRQQXWULWLRQLQFUHDVHGH[SHQGLWXUHRQEX\LQJYHJHWDEOHVUDWKHU
than growing them and screening food items according to costs rather than nutrition. Women,
who eat last or the least due to their nurturing and caregiving roles and existing nutritional
discrimination, are the worst sufferers.
 :RPHQDUHLQFUHDVLQJO\SHUIRUPLQJWKHPDMRULW\RIODERXULQIDUPVDQGYLOODJHDQGFRQVWUXFWLRQ
works. Due to the nature of physical work women are performing, they now commonly experience
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 $OWKRXJKQXWULWLRQIDFLOLWLHVKDYHLPSURYHGDWWKHYLOODJHOHYHOWKHUHZDVPL[HGIHHGEDFNRQWKH
TXDOLW\DQGWDVWHRIWKHIRRGSURYLGHGDWWKHVHJRYHUQPHQWUXQQXWULWLRQFHQWUHV6RPHZRPHQ
living in remote areas such as tribal women shared that they still couldnt access nutrition centres
close-by easily, which dissuades them altogether.
 0DQ\ZRPHQFLWHGSRRUURDGVDVDFKDOOHQJHWKDWQHJDWLYHO\LPSDFWVFKLOGUHQVHGXFDWLRQDQG
womens health, particularly pregnant women and their ability to reach hospitals for delivery
safely and in time.


2. Freedom from all forms of violence and exploitation

 9LROHQFH DJDLQVW ZRPHQ FDPH XS DV D PDMRU FKDOOHQJH LQ DOO VWDWHV DOWKRXJK WKHUH ZDV VRPH
acknowledgement that women are more aware of their rights now and also seek more police
assistance and legal recourse than in the past.
 :RPHQXQDQLPRXVO\VKDUHGWKDWRQHWKLQJWKDWKDVQRWFKDQJHGRYHUWKH\HDUVLVPHQVKDELWRI
alcoholism, which has the most damaging effect on womens lives and led to poverty, ill-health
and overall insecurity. Domestic violence and abuse is a direct result, which women said, affects
pregnant women the most.
 :RPHQ IRXQG GRZU\ WR EH KLJKO\ GLVHPSRZHULQJ &DVHV RI GRZU\UHODWHG GHDWKV DQG FKLOG
marriages were also reported.
 :RPHQVKDUHGWKDWRQHRIWKHPDLQUHDVRQVWKH\VWD\LQRSSUHVVLYHDQGDEXVLYHPDUULDJHVLV
because it is seen as dishonourable in society to go back to the parents house. Since, that is not a
YLDEOHRSWLRQWKH\IHHOWKDWWKH\KDYHWRDGMXVWVRPHKRZ:RPHQDOVRVKDUHGWKDWWKH\FDQQRWJHW
married again, even in tribal communities, which are generally considered more liberal. Women
also shared their concerns
of the repercussions a
&ROOHFWLYH$FWLRQE\:RPHQ
separation might have on
(Sehore District, Madhya Pradesh)
children.
 :RPHQ
LGHQWLHG
violence against women
at the work place,
especially in informal
sectors (e.g. garment
industry, as domestic
help) where they are
mostly employed, as
a blind spot in public
SROLF\ ,W DOVR KDV PDMRU
implications for their
health and well-being.

Alcoholism was adversely affecting many women. All men

and even young boys in the village were drunkards. When
we met in self-help group meetings (mahila samuhs),
women discussed their woes. Everyone realised it was
affecting everyone. Money earned through SHG activities
ZDVDOVRQRWVSDUHGE\PHQZKRXVHGLWWREX\OLTXRU
Women used to discuss how to save their money? We
decided to take action and formed a group and visited
WKHKRXVHVZKHUHFRXQWU\OLTXRUZDVEHLQJEUHZHG:H
smashed all the pots. Even the furnaces were destroyed. We
also reported it to the police and got those men arrested.
Since then, things have changed drastically.

3. Education and Growth Opportunities

 :RPHQSRLQWHGRXWWKDWWKHLUODFNRIHGXFDWLRQVHFXULW\FRQFHUQVDQGWKHWUDGLWLRQDOJHQGHU
UROHVWKDWZRPHQDQGJLUOVKDYHWRSHUIRUPGDLO\FRQWLQXHWRFROOHFWLYHO\VKDSHDQGGHQHWKHLU
subordinate position in society, their communities, households and marriages.
 $ZDUHQHVVDERXWJLUOVHGXFDWLRQKDVLQFUHDVHGDQGDORWPRUHJLUOVDUHJRLQJWRVFKRROHYHQ
more than boys) than before. However, constraining factors remain, especially for their higher
education, such as expectations to assist in the household, distance to schools and colleges,
security and poverty, costs for a college education and arranging dowry for marriages and lack of
employment opportunities.
 /LWHUDF\OHYHOVDPRQJDGXOWZRPHQUHPDLQYHU\ORZHVSHFLDOO\DPRQJWULEDODQGDalit women.



4. Livelihood, Employment, Skills Enhancement and Access to Resources

 :RPHQIHHOEXUGHQHGE\WKHLUGDLO\UROHVDQGUHVSRQVLELOLWLHVZKLFKWKH\IHOWDUHGHSULYLQJWKHP
of their growth-related opportunities.

&ROOHFWLYH$FWLRQE\:RPHQ
(Dharwad District, Karnataka)
:HKDGDSULPDU\VFKRROLQRXUYLOODJHWKHUHZDVQR
high school. Many girls had to drop out, as parents
were not comfortable with sending their daughters
IDURII,QZHDOOJRWWRJHWKHULQWKHYLOODJHDQG
wrote an application stating that we desperately need
a high school in our village. Our daughters are keen to
study. Due to our advocacy, a Member of Legislative
Assembly sanctioned a high school. That is why our
village has educated youth. Now we also have a college
in our village. We believe that education is the key to
progress and development.

 :RPHQ HQJDJHG LQ IDUP

labour feel cornered by
the lack of employment
options except as daily wage
agricultural labour, working
in brick kilns, construction
work or village works
through the employment
guarantee scheme. As a
result, they are willing to
compromise on amount
of wages, work hours
and working conditions,
especially if illiterate.

 ,QKDUVKWHUUDLQVVXFKDVGHVHUWVZRPHQUHSRUWHGPDMRUFKDOOHQJHVZLWKHDUQLQJOLYHOLKRRGV
 :RPHQDOVRUDLVHGWKHLVVXHRIODFNRIVNLOOEDVHGHPSOR\PHQWDQGWUDLQLQJRSSRUWXQLWLHV6RPH
women said there are several skill-based trainings but no opportunities are available to use those
skills to earn a livelihood.
 0RVWO\XQDEOHWRRIIHUFROODWHUDOSRRUZRPHQQGLWH[FHHGLQJO\GLIFXOWWRDFFHVVORDQVIURPWKH
banks.

5. Access to infrastructure (housing, water, sanitation, electricity, roads)

and ability to adapt to disaster and climate change
 ,QDOPRVWDOOVWDWHVZRPHQFLWHGODFNRIZDWHUDFFHVVDYDLODELOLW\DQGTXDOLW\DVDPDMRULIQRW
the foremost, challenge in their lives.
 7KHLVVXHRIZDWHUPDQDJHPHQWDQGIHWFKLQJ
water from far distances remains a big
FKDOOHQJHIRUDPDMRULW\RIZRPHQ7KH\IHHO
it is time-consuming and keeps them from
attending to more productive activities. Lack
of drinking water facilities and an associated
practice of involving girls in fetching water
from an early age was a related concern.

If we have proper water

availability and access,
our problems will be reduced
to half.

 :DWHUVKRUWDJHLVVHYHUHGXULQJVXPPHUPRQWKVZKLFKZRPHQIHHODIIHFWVWKHPWKHPRVW
 :RPHQUDLVHGFRQFHUQVDERXWZDWHUTXDOLW\VXFKDVKLJKOHYHORIXRULGHRUFRQWDPLQDWLRQDQG
linked it to many new diseases such as kidney stones, TB, typhoid, chikungunya, dengue fever
and cancer.
 :RPHQIHHOWKHODFNRIZDWHUDQGVDQLWDWLRQPRVWDFXWHO\GXULQJPHQVWUXDWLRQDQGSUHJQDQF\

 $ YLUXV WUDQVPLWWHG WR KXPDQV E\ YLUXVFDUU\LQJ $HGHV PRVTXLWRHV ZLWK V\PSWRPV VLPLODU WR GHQJXH IHYHU ZLWK DQ
DFXWHIHEULOHSKDVHRILOOQHVVODVWLQJRQO\WZRWRYHGD\VIROORZHGE\DSURORQJHGDUWKUDOJLFGLVHDVHWKDWDIIHFWVWKHMRLQWV



 :RPHQ DOVR OLQNHG ODFN RI WRLOHWV DQG ZDWHU LQ VFKRROV DV D IDFWRU QHJDWLYHO\ LPSDFWLQJ JLUOV
education, leading to dropouts, especially among teenage girls.
 :RPHQ FLWHG WKH ODFN RI JRRG URDGV FRQQHFWLQJ YLOODJHV HVSHFLDOO\ LQ KLOO\ DUHDV DV D FULWLFDO
GHYHORSPHQWFKDOOHQJH,QDIHZVWDWHVZRPHQGUHZDVWURQJOLQNEHWZHHQKHDOWKUHODWHGFRQFHUQV
HVSHFLDOO\SUHJQDQF\DQGEDGURDGV)UHTXHQWFDVHVRISUHJQDQF\UHODWHGFRPSOLFDWLRQVDQG
even maternal deaths was directly associated with poor roads and infrastructure.
 :RPHQ DOVR IRXQG WKH ODFN RI LQIUDVWUXFWXUH UHODWHG WR URDGV DQG WUDQVSRUW IDFLOLWLHV WR EH D
PDMRUGHWHUUHQWLQWKHLUPRELOLW\DELOLW\WRIHWFKZDWHUFROOHFWIXHOZRRGZRUNJRWRZRUNLQWKH
HOGVDQGIRUFKLOGUHQVHGXFDWLRQ
 ,QWULEDODQGUHPRWHDUHDVHVSHFLDOO\ZRPHQFLWHGPDMRUHOHFWULFLW\UHODWHGSUREOHPVDQGGUHZD
strong link between the lack of power and the negative impact on childrens education and even
health. Women from peri-urban areas complained more of power cuts.

6. Actionable Knowledge and Awareness of Rights189 and Public Entitlements

and Human Agency to access them
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importance of a smaller family, childrens and especially girls education and womens health
(especially reproductive) had increased over the past decade. They said they want their girls to
study even beyond college. Some women feel that there is increased awareness regarding hygiene,
WKHQHHGIRUVDQLWDWLRQDQGDERXWGLVHDVHVVXFKDV+,9DQG$,'66RPHZRPHQHYHQIHHOWKDW
increased awareness has led to accelerated development of their villages and communities
 +RZHYHU LQ PRVW VWDWHV WKH OHYHOV RI OLWHUDF\ DQG DZDUHQHVV DERXW JRYHUQPHQW VFKHPHV DQG
their entitlements and how to access them still remains poor. Knowledge of girl child schemes
is especially poor. Women in many states could identify some schemes because people in their
YLOODJHDUHUHFHLYLQJEHQHWVWKURXJKWKHPEXWGLGQRWKDYHPXFKNQRZOHGJHDERXWWKHPZKHQ
probed further. They also feel that various restrictions posed on women by parents and husbands
PDNHDFFHVVWRLQIRUPDWLRQDOOWKHPRUHGLIFXOWIRUWKHP
 .QRZOHGJHDERXWODZVDQGULJKWVUHODWHGWRGRZU\RUGRPHVWLFYLROHQFHLVDOPRVWQHJOLJLEOH
 0DQ\ZRPHQZHUHFULWLFDORIVFKHPHVVXFKDVWKHHPSOR\PHQWJXDUDQWHHVFKHPHGXHWRGHOD\V
in payment of wages.
 :RPHQ FLWHG FRUUXSWLRQ DQG WKH QHJDWLYH UROH RI PLGGOHPHQ DV FKDOOHQJHV LQ DFFHVVLQJ WKHLU
entitlements. They also cited the lack of a direct complaint mechanism for grievance redressal.
 6RPH HOHFWHG ZRPHQ UHSUHVHQWDWLYHV IHHO
that their levels of self-awareness and
general knowledge of government schemes,
government machinery and politics have
LQFUHDVHGVLQFHFRPLQJLQWRHOHFWHGRIFH
 (OHFWHG ZRPHQ UHSUHVHQWDWLYHV ZHUH IRXQG
to be generally better informed than non-
elected women of the village but not
uniformly. Many of them are illiterate, lack
knowledge of basic government schemes
and are unable to communicate effectively.

Before introducing a programme,

the government should see
whether that programme is
EHQHFLDORUQRW7KH\VKRXOG
conduct surveys to assess this.
Most government programmes
are useless.

Human, legal rights and constitutional rights.





 0DQ\HOHFWHGZRPHQIHOWWKDWYLOODJHFRPPXQLW\PHHWLQJVDQGZRPHQVPHHWLQJVDUHLPSRUWDQW
awareness-raising and problem-solving platforms, help build accountability and transparency
DQGIDFLOLWDWHJULHYDQFHUHGUHVVDOHVSHFLDOO\LIJRYHUQPHQWRIFLDOVDUHDOVRSUHVHQWDQGKHOSWR
LGHQWLI\WKHPRVWGHVHUYLQJRUWUXO\LQWHQGHGEHQHFLDULHVIRUYDULRXVJRYHUQPHQWGHYHORSPHQW
schemes. Some women felt that they are a waste of time if grievances are not redressed and
promises are not kept.
 7KH mahila sabhas or womens meetings were found to be especially useful to receive
LQIRUPDWLRQRQJRYHUQPHQWVFKHPHVHQWLWOHPHQWVDQGGLVFXVVZRPHQVSHFLFFRQFHUQVDVWKH\
can express their opinions without any hesitation or restrictions, which either cant be taken up
as openly at village meetings or dont receive
priority. They also allow women to prepare
,IJRYHUQPHQWRIFLDOVDUH
for the larger village meetings to bring up
present, at least theyll listen to
LVVXHVZLWKPRUHFRQGHQFHFROOHFWLYHO\DQG
our problems, whether they do
forcefully. The presence of elected women
something about them or not.
representatives in village meetings, it was felt,
has also encouraged more women to attend
them and raise issues.

7. Active, Meaningful and Independent Participation in Decision-Making

Context

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5LJKWVRI:RPHQWKHUVWLQWHUQDWLRQDOOHJLVODWLRQRILWVNLQGSURWHFWLQJZRPHQVSROLWLFDOULJKWV
WR YRWH DQG KROG SROLWLFDO RIFH DV HVWDEOLVKHG E\ QDWLRQDO ODZ RQ HTXDO WHUPV DV ZLWK PHQ DQG
without discrimination on the basis of sex.
Womens representation in government is increasingly considered as an important component
RI WKHLU RYHUDOO HPSRZHUPHQW DQG QHFHVVDU\ WR DFKLHYH JHQGHU HTXDOLW\ 7KH 8QLWHG 1DWLRQV KDV
LGHQWLHGVL[DYHQXHVE\ZKLFKIHPDOHSDUWLFLSDWLRQLQSROLWLFVDQGJRYHUQPHQWFDQEHVWUHQJWKHQHG
7KH\LQFOXGHHTXDOLVDWLRQRIHGXFDWLRQDORSSRUWXQLWLHVTXRWDVIRUIHPDOHSDUWLFLSDWLRQLQJRYHUQLQJ
ERGLHV OHJLVODWLYH UHIRUP WR LQFUHDVH IRFXV RQ LVVXHV FRQFHUQLQJ ZRPHQ DQG FKLOGUHQ QDQFLQJ
JHQGHUUHVSRQVLYH EXGJHWV WR HTXDOO\ WDNH LQWR
account the needs of men and women, increasing
Women cant stand for elections if the presence of sex-disaggregated statistics in
there is opposition inside
national research and data and furthering the
the house.
presence and agency of grassroots womens
empowerment movements.
$VRI$SULOWKHJOREDODYHUDJHRIZRPHQLQQDWLRQDODVVHPEOLHVZDVDERXWSHUFHQW
ZKLFK LV DOPRVW GRXEOH WKH SHUFHQWDJH RI VHDWV KHOG E\ ,QGLDQ ZRPHQ in national parliament,
ZKLFKVWDQGVDWSHUFHQW+RZHYHUPDQ\FRXQWULHVLQFOXGLQJ,QGLDDUHH[SORULQJDQGDGRSWLQJ

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of a gram sabha meeting with participation only by women in the village.


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measures to increase womens

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participation in all levels of
representative who belongs to a backward class and
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yet, was able to win elections in an entirely tribal-
LQ HDUQHVW LQ  ZKHQ D
populated village as a result of the unprecedented
constitutional amendment
opportunity that womens reservation in local-self
mandated that a randomly
government institutions has generated for their
selected third of leadership
political and social empowerment
positions at every level of local
government be reserved for
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following these political reforms.

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challenges that elected women representatives
face while navigating entrenched power and
patriarchal structures, vested interests and
lack of political will and the changes
they can bring about despite them.

Despite these transformative

trends, women in government
continue to face numerous
obstacles and challenges to
participating in decision-making
in an active, meaningful and
independent manner.

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 and have had at least three years of experience.

Motivations for contesting election

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women in the local self-government system
was the main trigger for their contesting
elections. They felt that otherwise, it becomes
rather impossible to compete with established
men leaders with years of experience. There
were a few exceptions who contested from the
general seats and did not avail the womens
TXRWD

No matter how much women

cover their face, they should still
get power and position.
Ghoonghat chahe jitna bhi lamba
hai, pad to milna hi chahiye

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implementation of rural development programmes.





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of family domination being a factor in village politics and clinching an election
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people to the powers that be in the village
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with the position
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Even family members respect

us now, which was not the case
earlier.

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hand pump installed, building a road or securing and building housing and toilets
 4XLWHDIHZVWRRGXQRSSRVHG
 6RPHZHUHHOHFWHGDJDLQVWWKHLUZLVKHVDQGVDLGWKH\ZRXOGUHVLJQLIWKH\FRXOG

Understanding and Carrying Out Roles and Responsibilities

Initially, we were reticent and

people suspected our abilities to
deliver and thought we were just
rubberstamps. As time passed,
we gained more exposure and
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assertive. Initially, men were
disappointed but now they
understand that we have the right
to speak, express our opinion and
also take decisions.

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they only involve themselves with the
household chores and their husbands manage
their elected responsibilities.
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attend meetings.
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and responsibilities, elected women
representatives would sign anywhere they
were asked to but after receiving training,
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assertive. They can now handle situations,
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Changes in womens lives since election (self-image, personality, awareness, general

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more positive than negative as it emerged.
Positive
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individuals, value their advice and counsel
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are heard more
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and change in thinking

Once I have won the election,

I have accepted that you have to
work uniformly for
those who gave votes
and those who didnt you have
to work for everyone.

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especially about government schemes
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peaceful lives free of any discrimination
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also changed

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leader. Prior to that, there were
only male leaders for 45 years.
When I wanted to campaign,
people asked me if I would be able
to do the work of a man.
I had to request them to give me a
chance and then decide if
I would be able to or not.

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role but they have more freedom now
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there is increasing acceptance towards
women assuming a leadership role and
people take them more seriously
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village meetings, let alone express their
views and opinions. Ever since women have
assumed the role of elected leaders, more
women have started attending the meetings,
which are viewed as very important

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performing their elected roles. Some women said they are skipping meals as a result. Few also
mentioned that people come to their homes seeking help for their problems, which affects
their household-related work
 6RPHZRPHQIHOWQRWKLQJKDGFKDQJHGIRUWKHPDQGWKH\KDYHIHOWQRGLIIHUHQFHLQWKHLUOLYHV



Challenges faced in discharging their roles and responsibilities

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cited of husbands taking over the responsibilities of their elected wives
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performing their duties
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workload
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happy
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imposed on their mobility by family members and their inability to carry out their responsibilities
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related activities
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their work is still overlooked

Perceived differences between men and women elected representatives

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due to their dual responsibilities
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sensitive and responsive to the needs of
women (and children), better able to identify
hidden problems and thus in a better position
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not concern themselves much with women-
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approaching women elected leaders
compared to male leaders
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that they are endowed with more problem-
solving acumen than men



If a woman goes to the village

head with her problems of
domestic violence or alcoholism,
then she says that the village head
himself is abusing his wife and
torturing her; what complaint will
she go and register with him?
Men leaders never give value to a
womans complaint of violence.

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heart
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attitude towards addressing problems.
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feeling miserable all the time. They have no say in decision-making and commanded no respect.
Men in their village are overbearing and elected women representatives in other villages are
performing much better as they have the support of the men in their village and family members.

However many efforts we

make, the other male elected
representatives will
not let us grow.
(Hamara patta kaat denge)

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compared to women as they are better
informed and more articulate but women are
better leaders as they spend more time with
people and listen to their problems.
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create problems for them, as they cannot see
a woman in a powerful position.



Photo @ UN Women/Praveen Kaliga

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I expect my husband to support me but not every time and everywhere.

There is nothing wrong in taking advice or suggestions. Sometimes
maybe what the other person is suggesting makes better sense but
decision-making should be personal.
She enters the mahila sabha198 with an unassuming air of authority, greets everyone with a
namaskar199 and a humble bow and takes the central chair. The respect that she commands is
evident from the affectionate manner in which other women gather around her in Parisal village,
located in Gajapati District of Indias south-eastern coast and among the most backward districts
in the country. In a seasoned manner, she occasionally nods her head and listens to them, offering
suggestions along the way. The only graduate sarpanch200 in the entire district, Sanghmitra takes
pride in having reached where she is due to her hard work and without anyones help. She dreams
of 100 per cent education among girls in the village because she believes that only education can
make competent future leaders.
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LQWKHWKUHHWLHU3DQFKD\DWL5DM,QVWLWXWLRQV35,VKHUDOGHGWKHVWDUWRIDTXLHWUHYROXWLRQIRULW
SDYHGWKHZD\IRUWKRXVDQGVRI,QGLDQZRPHQDWWKHJUDVVURRWVWRDVVXPHSROLWLFDOOHDGHUVKLS,W
allowed them to step into the public realm and politics in an unprecedented manner in what is still
a deeply entrenched patriarchal society and an arena still overwhelmingly dominated by men. Many
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true political empowerment notwithstanding. Over roughly the same period, however, political
participation of women in national parliament, included as an indicator for gender empowerment
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INTERSECTIONALITY: Elected woman representative, belongs to a backward class but won
election as president in a tribal-populated village, married, mother of two children.
Footnotes overleaf



0\ QDPH LV 6DQJKPLWUD 6DEDU , FRPH IURP D

service class and well-educated background.
My mother and father had a dream to make
their youngest daughter an advocate. My father
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ORYH ZLWK VRPHRQH HOVH  P\ IXWXUH KXVEDQG
He had a Masters in Business Administration
(MBA) and dreamt of working in big companies
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blessings were not with me. My father left this
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That is a regret.
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stood for local elections and we supported and
campaigned for him. He won and that inspired
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RQHGD\,QWKHQDO\HDURIFROOHJH,VWRRGIRU
college president unopposed and was given the
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the only girl from a backward class in an entirely
WULEDOYLOODJH3HRSOHQHYHUDFFHSWHGPHLQLWLDOO\
They used to say things like her caste is not good
or she is not good looking and couldnt she
have found anyone else in her own community.
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of struggle.

When I came to this village after

marriage, everyone ordered me
around. So, I did the same in the
HOG0\VXSHUYLVRUWROGPHWKDW
bossing people around would
not work. She taught me to meet
people, build relationships, make
eye contact while speaking to
them and only then people will
OLVWHQWR\RX,OHDUQWWKDWWKHUVW
important thing is public relations
and the way to win peoples hearts
is by meeting and
talking to them.
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to this village after marriage, everyone ordered
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supervisor told me that bossing people around
would not work. She taught me to meet people,
build relationships, make eye contact while
speaking to them and only then people will listen
WR \RX , OHDUQW WKDW WKH UVW LPSRUWDQW WKLQJ
is public relations and the way to win peoples
hearts is by meeting and talking to them.
Working in an NGO means that your time is not
your own. They might call you in the morning
RUHYHQLQJGHSHQGLQJRQWKHZRUN,GLGDORWRI
community service. My starting monthly salary

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of a gram sabha meeting with participation only by women in the village.



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salutation such as namaskar or namaste is preferred.



Sarpanch is an elected head of a village level statutory institution of local self-government called the panchayat.



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respected elders chosen and accepted by the local community. Over time the concept has evolved and become synonymous
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month and could support my children as well.
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for sarpanch, supported him and also
campaigned for him and he won. While
campaigning, everyone told me, Didi, why
your husband and why not you? You should
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woman belonging to Other Backward Classes
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village meeting was conducted where the women

The biggest problem of women

is that they understand
everything but are not
able to speak out.
If there is no education
there will be no voice and
there is no education among
women here.
of my village suggested my name for sarpanch.
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sarpanch election.
A sarpanch does not get a salary but does get a lot
of respect. He or she does get a sitting allowance
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meetings and a monthly honorariumRI
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WKH35,V\VWHPEXW,GRQWZDQWWREHOLNHWKHP

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time and everywhere. There is nothing wrong in
taking advice or suggestions. Sometimes maybe
what the other person is suggesting makes better
sense but decision-making should be personal.
The biggest problem of women is that they
understand everything but are not able to speak
RXW ,I WKHUH LV QR HGXFDWLRQ WKHUH ZLOO EH QR
voice and there is no education here among
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another big problem.
Since becoming sarpanch, my responsibilities
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work late and odd hours, which my husband
doesnt like. My children are always telling me
WKDW , DP QRW D JRRG PRWKHU EHFDXVH , GRQW
devote any time to them. There are societal
pressures to deal with, too. Some people think
that after becoming sarpanch, you become
arrogant and dont mix with other people. Still, it
is my dream to make political life my professional
life and become a Member of the Legislative
Assembly (MLA)VRPHGD\,WKDVEHHQRQO\D
\HDUVLQFH,EHFDPHsarpanch and there is still
DORQJZD\WRJR,KDYHYHU\ELJGUHDPV7KHUH
are two villages in my panchayat, which are
on top of mountains. The people there do not
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or schools. Developing those two villages are the
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As for the women of my village, whenever they
had complaints, they used to go to a man and
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in the village where only women can come with
WKHLU SUREOHPV ,I D ZRPDQ JRHV WR DQRWKHU
woman, she will be able to share more. This is
one of my dreams for the women of the village.

Sarpanch is an elected head of a village level statutory institution of local self-government called the panchayat.



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are educationally or socially marginalised, which fall under the category of Other backward classes.



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Photo @ UN Women/Divya Gupta

CHHAVI RAJAWAT
Swimming in the same rip tides

Five years is enough time to make a difference, if you really want to.
The people of the village themselves have been my biggest asset.
Chhavi Rajawat has a family history of politics and village development. Twenty years ago, her
grandfather was sarpanch210 of Soda, where she now serves as sarpanch herself since her election
in 2009. On a sunny winter morning in January, Rajawat, dressed sans frills in jeans and a cotton
tunic, drove her SUV from Indias pink city of Jaipur to Soda, which is an hour away. As we
turned into the winding and dusty roads of the village, with a strong hint of pride, she pointed to
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When asked her religion, she says, spiritual. Soon, she turns into the gate of a primary school
for girls, which she is helping to re-build. There is a palpable fondness and sense of comfort when
the village men and women greet her, clad in Rajasthans signature bright-coloured turbans and
saris211, respectively. As 34-year-old Rajawat keenly inspects progress at the school, she appears
involved and every bit the dutiful and self-described daughter of the village.
Although there has been an increased focus on womens political representation at a local level in
PDQ\FRXQWULHVUHVXOWVKDYHEHHQPL[HGDWEHVWLQWHUPVRIJHQXLQHHPSRZHUPHQW,QGLDLVDPRQJ
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AmendmentsLQZKLFKPDQGDWHGpanchayat elections throughout the country, resulted
LQUHIRUPVUHVHUYLQJSHUFHQWRIWKHVHDWVLQFUHDVHGUHFHQWO\WRSHUFHQWLQVWDWHV) for
ZRPHQDQGIRUFDVWHVDQGWULEHVSURSRUWLRQDOWRWKHLUSRSXODWLRQ2YHUPLOOLRQ women have
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in navigating entrenched power and patriarchal structures, vested interests, lack of political will and
obstructionism in village development.
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decisions and authority, which very few other
representatives would be in a position to do and
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privileged.
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people came up with the idea. By and large,
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known and despite an increase in funding for
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the village and government as well as the non-
government sector.
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elected sarpanch KDV JLYHQ D ORW RI FRQGHQFH
and hope to women and girls of the village.
Now theyre more vocal and raise their issues.
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UHPHPEHUWKHUVWgram sabha,KHOG:HSXW
a mike and recorder in place to make it more
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that it was a piece of cake.
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well but it is not being used effectively for

Its been three years in this

journey so far and the biggest
obstacle has been the local
administration not being
responsive and supportive.
Thats where all the disbursement
of funds takes place and
we are totally dependent on them.
I believe the elected
representatives and local
administration should
work like a team but that is where
the biggest gap exists.
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always be negativity and especially women feel
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transparent about what we intend on doing.
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funds is because everybody thinks panchayats
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been the local administration not really being
responsive and supportive. Thats where all the
disbursement of funds takes place and we are

Sarpanch is an elected head of a village level statutory institution of local self-government called the panchayat.



Also spelt as Saree, it is a strip of unstitched cloth, worn by women, ranging from four to nine yards in length that is
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discuss challenges facing women that can be raised by them comfortably without fear of the power dynamics present in a
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political seat or a title youve empowered
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the person. Unless they get training and
of wrong documents signed,
understand the government machinery and
the patwaris try and frame the
schemes, you are not empowering them.
sarpanches and so people are scared.
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It is understandable that husbands
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purpose, if they need, they can call on anyone they trust including their husbands, sons and family
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well try to ensure sustainability. Five years is enough time to make a real difference, if you really
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masonry is maintained.
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on a tava, which is a large, convex or disc-shaped griddle made from metal, usually sheet iron, cast iron, sheet steel or
aluminium.



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R E C O M M E N D A T I O N S &
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Within the vast UN system alone resides a wealth of legal and human rights frameworks, conventions,
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a) Build on the strengths of the MDG framework and overcome its shortcomings
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several United Nations programmes aimed at ensuring gender parity in education, health, economic
opportunities. Going a step further, attempts were made at gender mainstreaming in development
policymaking and decision-making, including through shaping new legislative and policy frameworks
and gender-responsive budgeting. The important role of civil society in trying to meet the twin goals
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accountability and enforceability in national contexts. A vast range of violence-related issues
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Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women does not mention alcoholism, which the
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impacts them adversely in an all-encompassing manner.
The broad recommendations offered below are thus based on the complex inter-linkages between
challenges facing women at the grassroots, often missing in development frameworks and public
policy and thus cited as a key reason for their limited success. The aspirations women shared on all
the issue highlighted in this report follow in 7DEOHRQSDJH

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any future development framework should rest. All of them were enshrined in the Millennium
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future expected trends regarding all aspects of womens well being and tailored to country
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that of men, gender-based violence remains all-pervasive and shifting weather patterns are
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poverty estimates and errors of omission and commission at the country level, which has
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public policy, such as the needs of orphans and people living with disabilities, are genuinely
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development challenges with strong poverty linkages, which went unaddressed in the MDG
framework. They include impact of lack of basic infrastructure such as roads, energy and
electricity, the need for social security for those facing multiple forms of deprivation and
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labour and pursuing and diversifying income-generating avenues employing community-based
solutions and in harmony with the environment.
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economic empowerment target in a new framework.
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and linked to accountability mechanisms to ensure labour, worker and migrant rights.

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or indicators.
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factor in important social, cultural, economic, geographic and generational linkages.
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actually learn, absorb, gain knowledge, conceptual clarity, open and grow their minds and
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public transportation, personal security and protection, reduced domestic workload through
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rather than the ratio of girls to boys in schools to facilitate gender parity, which the new
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have very strong utility for poor and illiterate people, which should be built into the framework.
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women such as those belonging scheduled tribes, scheduled castes and religious minorities
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enhancement and learning.

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health recognising that reproductive and sexual health accounts IRU  SHU FHQW RI WKH
global health burden among women and there is overwhelming evidence of maternal under-
nourishment leading to birth of under-weight babies.
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of medical infrastructure, hygiene and sanitation, medical staff such as nurses and doctors and
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to ensure respectful and pleasant treatment of patients.
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health expenditure poor people still incur, especially socially and geographically
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women to safely go through pregnancy.
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unknowingly from their husbands, who may have multiple sex partners. A new development
framework should recognise and aim to reverse this harmful trend as well as the crippling
stigma and discrimination such women and their children (also at high risk) suffer from, by
enabling economic and social support structures for them.
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of women with disabilities, who are vulnerable at multiple levels.
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arising out of gender-based violence assume serious and high prominence as a health issue and
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shifting weather patterns and climate change on peoples lives and livelihoods i.e. it should
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widespread lack of water and sanitation such as number of people with a piped water
connection in the house or number of people with a toilet in the house.
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livelihoods and all other measures of human well-being among poor people.

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levels, participation in high-paying positions with economic power and access to professional
and parliamentary positions. They must include more holistic measure such as nutrition and
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for growth, education, livelihood, employment and skills enhancement, access to resources and
infrastructure (housing, water, sanitation, electricity, roads), ability to adapt to disaster and
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recourse and agency to access them and active, meaningful and independent participation in
decision-making at all levels of government.
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institutions at all levels.

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to earn money. Their ORDQVL]HLVELJJHU and they get more skill-based training. Women can many other things such as soap, papad,
daris,URSHZDOOKDQJLQJVDQGEURRPVIURPSDOPWUHHV,IZRPHQFDQEHRUJDQLVHGLQWRDfederation to channelise marketing, like a
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directly and understand the nature of money.

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:RPHQLQWKHLQIRUPDOHFRQRP\VKRXOGEHDEOHWRQHJRWLDWHZDJHSDULW\DQGPDWHUQLW\EHQHWV and be protected from sexual

harassment and violence in the workplace.

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they can teach other women, too, such as sewing and embroidery. 6HZLQJFHQWUHV should be opened up in villages, which will help provide
employment and income to women. Skills training should also be part of education curriculum to improve employability of boys and girls after
completing secondary school and college.

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vulnerable. The pension should not be tied to any pre-conditions. For example, it should be provided regardless of whether there is an able-
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are grown up, they no longer take care of their parents the way they used to, leaving them more vulnerable than before.

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the development process and public service delivery.

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Education &
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Disability pension VKRXOGEHincreased WRUXSHHVGROODUVSHUPRQWKLQVWHDGRI5XSHHV86'VRWKDWSHRSOH

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WRKDYHWKHLURZQVKHOWHU

Disability

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7KHUHVKRXOGEHEHWWHUanti-dowry campaignsWRUDLVHDZDUHQHVVDPRQJSHRSOH
7KHUHVKRXOGEHJUHDWHUHPSKDVLVRQWKHcompletion of education for girls and women VRWKDWWKH\DUHPRUHLQGHSHQGHQWDQGFDQUHVLVW
DQ\IRUPRIYLROHQFHDJDLQVWWKHP
Stricter laws IRUDEROLVKLQJFKLOGPDUULDJHVDQGGRZU\UHODWHGYLROHQFHVKRXOGEHLQWURGXFHG
Boys and menshould be sensitised YLVDYLVZRPHQWKURXJKHGXFDWLRQVRWKDWWKH\GRQRWUHVRUWWRDFWVRIYLROHQFHDJDLQVWWKHP
Special provisions VKRXOGEHPDGHfor reportingFDVHVRIYLROHQFHHVSHFLDOO\IRUZRPHQOLYLQJLQUHPRWHDUHDV

Gender-Based Violence

Secondary schools should be located closeWRYLOODJHVWRHQVXUHWKDWJLUOVGRQWGURSRXWRIVFKRRODIWHUWKHSULPDU\OHYHOZKLFKLVYHU\

FRPPRQGXHWRVHFXULW\FRQFHUQVDQGWUDQVSRUWDWLRQUHODWHGFKDOOHQJHV:RPHQVDLGWKDWWKHUHVKRXOGEHLQFHQWLYHVSURYLGHGWREXLOGVFKRROV
DQGFROOHJHVFORVHUWRYLOODJHV,IVHFRQGDU\VFKRROVDQGFROOHJHVDUHIDUDZD\WKHQVHFXUHgirls hostelsVKRXOGEHSURYLGHGZLWKDGHTXDWH
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Quality educationVKRXOGEHHQVXUHGIRUDOOFKLOGUHQ

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6SHFLDOJULHYDQFHUHGUHVVDOPHFKDQLVPVshould be created to put forward problems and seek appropriate solutions for people living with
HIV and AIDS.
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discrimination.
Early marriage and HDUO\FKLOGELUWKamong girls leads to severe health complications among them. 3DUHQWVVKRXOGEHVHQVLWLVHGon this
issue in rural areas.

There should be more, EHWWHUDQGWDUJHWHGVFKHPHV to support people living with disabilities. For example, education fees should be waived
until completion of college for children living with disabilities, especially for those belonging to families living below the poverty line.
There should be direct transfers of funds from the government account to the personal account of a person with disability, in cases where
PRQHWDU\EHQHWVRUSHQVLRQVDUHGXHWRWKHPWRHQVXUHWKH\UHFHLYHWKHIXOODPRXQWDQGQRWKLQJLVORVWLQFRUUXSWLRQ
9HU\IHZGLVDEOHGSHRSOHIDOOXQGHUWKHFRYHURIVXEVLGLVHGfood distribution provisions, which extremely poor families are entitled to and
they should be more effectively targeted.
Disabled people should be paid EHWWHUVDODULHV.
Legal steps should be taken to prevent discrimination in employment for disabled people.
More private sector jobs should be made available for disabled people through appropriate skills-based training.
(DV\DQGGLVDEOHGIULHQGO\SURFHGXUHVLQDSSO\LQJIRUDQGSURFXULQJJRYHUQPHQWEHQHWVVKRXOGEHDGRSWHG
The JRYHUQPHQWIURQWOLQHKHDOWKZRUNHUV in the villages should also VHUYLFHSUHJQDQWGLVDEOHGZRPHQand provide them
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EHERUQKHDOWK\LWLVYHU\QHFHVVDU\IRUWKHGLVDEOHGPRWKHUWRHDWQXWULWLRXVDQGDGHTXDWHIRRGZKLFKVKRXOGEHHPSKDVLVHGE\ORFDOKHDOWK
workers.
Preference is QHFHVVDU\IRUGLVDEOHGSUHJQDQWZRPHQin KHDOWKFDUHVHUYLFHV.
Disabled women with speech or hearing impairment or those who suffer from psychiatric disorders are particularly vulnerable to VH[XDO
harassment and rape. 7UDLQLQJVHVVLRQVshould be conducted with parents on how to HQVXUHJUHDWHUVDIHW\of disabled children and
women.
'LVDEOHGFKLOGUHQVKRXOGJRWRJRYHUQPHQWVFKRRODORQJZLWKQRQGLVDEOHGFKLOGUHQ. Everybody irrespective of their sex or ability
VKRXOGUHPDLQHTXDOLQDJURXS
There is a need for better educational infrastructure and facilities for children with different disabilities. Students, especially girls, with
disabilities should be provided good and safe KRVWHOIDFLOLWLHVZLWKSUHIHUHQFHand support services such as training on the use of sign
language or BrailleDVUHTXLUHG
'LVDEOHGSHRSOHWKHPVHOYHVUHTXLUHSURSHUWUDLQLQJto interact with people, increase their self-esteem, motivation and maintain positive
attitudes about life.
2OGDJHKRPHVVKRXOGEHSURYLGHGIRUZRPHQOLYLQJZLWKGLVDELOLWLHVHLWKHUHQWLUHO\VHSDUDWHIURPPHQRULQVHSDUDWHOLYLQJTXDUWHUVZLWKLQ
homes meant for both men and women.
All LQIUDVWUXFWXUHVKRXOGEHPDGHGLVDELOLW\IULHQGO\, including public buildings, health and education facilities, public transportation,
JRYHUQPHQWRIFHVDQGSULYDWHEXLOGLQJV
:RPHQOLYLQJZLWKGLVDELOLWLHVXUJHQWO\UHTXLUHSURSHUDFFHVVWRWRLOHWVLQWKHLUKRPHVDQGLQSXEOLFEXLOGLQJV
'LVDEOHGSHRSOHVKRXOGEHDSDUWRIWKHSROLWLFDOV\VWHPWKH\VKRXOGJKWHOHFWLRQVDQGEHLQGHFLVLRQPDNLQJFDSDFLWLHV,VVXHV
pertaining to people living with disabilities should also be discussed more in village meetings.

Access to
Infrastructure,
Adaptation to
Climate Change
& Environmental
Sustainability

Gender Equality
& Womens
Empowerment

6.

7.

122

Husbands should divide household work ZLWKWKHLUZLYHVHTXDOO\DQGQRWGULQNVRWKHKRXVHKROGDQGFKLOGUHQUHPDLQKDSS\

Honorariums IRUHOHFWHGUHSUHVHQWDWLYHVVKRXOGEHincreased.
:RPHQVKRXOGEHSURYLGHGSURSHUliteracy, skills and employment WRDFKLHYHQDQFLDOLQGHSHQGHQFH
Sensitisation programmes VKRXOGEHUXQIRUPHQDQGER\VWRLQFUHDVHWKHLUVHQVHRIUHVSRQVLELOLW\DQGGXW\LQVKDULQJKRXVHKROGZRUNDQG
WRHDUQDOLYHOLKRRG
:RPHQUHTXLUHPRUHinformation DERXWJRYHUQPHQWVFKHPHVDQGKRZWKH\FDQDFFHVVWKHPSURSHUO\HYHQLIWKH\DUHLOOLWHUDWH
Mechanisms VKRXOGEHLQWURGXFHGfor women to report violence anonymously RQDKRWOLQHDQGWRHQVXUHIROORZXSDFWLRQE\WKH
SROLFHODZHQIRUFHPHQWDXWKRULWLHVSDQFKD\DWVRUVRFLDOJURXSVDQG1*2VDVWKHFDVHUHTXLUHV
Access to basic services VKRXOGEHPDGHDQDEVROXWHSULRULW\DVLWDXWRPDWLFDOO\LPSURYHVWKHSRVLWLRQRIZRPHQLQKHUKRXVHKROGDQG
VRFLDOO\

A mobile tower in the village so that we can communicate easily.

More trees should be planted to provide clean air for our children.

Others

Affordable alternative fuel options VKRXOGEHPDGHDYDLODEOH

7KHUHVKRXOGEHQRRUfewer power cuts.

Electricity VKRXOGEHSURYLGHGIRU24 hours at appropriately voltage for proper utilisation.

Electricity/Energy

,QUHPRWHRUKDUVKWHUUDLQVVSHFLDOHIIRUWDQGresources should be channelised WRLPSURYHURDGVDQGDFFHVVLELOLW\WRKHDOWKDQGHGXFDWLRQ

VHUYLFHV
Provisions for funds VKRXOGEHPDGHWRORRNLQWREXLOGLQJSULPDU\VFKRROVDQGSULPDU\KHDOWKFDUHFHQWUHVZLWKLQRUYHU\FORVHWRVXFK
YLOODJHVZKHUHURDGVDUHSRRUWKHWHUUDLQLVGLIFXOWDQGUHPRWHUDLQLVKHDY\ZHDWKHUFRQGLWLRQVDUHKDUVKDQGFOLPDWHFKDQJHVDUHWDNLQJ
SODFH
%HWWHUtransportation facilities VKRXOGEHPDGHDYDLODEOHWRYLOODJHVHVSHFLDOO\for girl students and pregnant women.
Better roads ZKHUHFDUVFDQUXQVPRRWKO\DQGWUDQVSRUWDWLRQIDFLOLWLHVfor hilly and remote DUHDVZLOOHQVXUHRYHUDOOGHYHORSPHQWRI
WKHVHDUHDV

Roads and Transportation

%HWWHUGULQNLQJZDWHUIDFLOLWLHVZLWKpiped water supply VKRXOGEHPDGHDYDLODEOHLQDOOYLOODJHV

Improve access to safe drinking water supply LQhilly and remote locations.
7KHJRYHUQPHQWVKRXOGaddress quality of drinking waterHVSHFLDOO\LQDUHDVZLWKKLJKXRULGHFRQWHQW
*RYHUQPHQWVKRXOGincrease the amount SURYLGHGWRSRRUIDPLOLHVXQGHUWKHWRWDOVDQLWDWLRQFDPSDLJQto build toilets DQGallow them
to hire contractors to build them.
Schools and colleges VKRXOGDOOKDYHmandatory UHTXLUHPHQWIRUtoilets ZLWKZDWHUDYDLODELOLW\DQGseparate toilets for girls and
boys.

Water and Sanitation

Houses should be permanent structures ZLWKSURSHUURRQJZDOOVDQGWRLOHWVVRWKDWSHRSOHFDQOLYHZLWKVHFXULW\DQGGLJQLW\

%HWWHUtransportation facilities VKRXOGEHSURYLGHGto get building material to remote villages.
%HWWHUKRXVLQJQDQFHUHODWHGVFKHPHVVKRXOGEHPDGHDYDLODEOHWRZRPHQRQIDYRXUDEOHWHUPV
Single women VKRXOGEHHQDEOHGWRJHWpermanent shelters PDGHIRUWKHPVHOYHVWKURXJKbetter government schemes.

Housing

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Destitution in India3ULQFHWRQ
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,QGLFHVJournal of Human DevelopmentYRO1R
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(QYLURQPHQWDO /DZ DQG 3ROLF\ )DFXOW\ 3XEOLFDWLRQV 3DSHU  ,QGLDQD 8QLYHUVLW\
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DQ $VVHVVPHQW 3DSHU SUHVHQWHG DW ,QWHUQDWLRQDO &RXQFLO RQ 6RFLDO :HOIDUH ,&6: VW
,QWHUQDWLRQDO &RQIHUHQFH RQ 6RFLDO 3URJUHVV DQG 6RFLDO -XVWLFH  $XJXVW  .XDOD
Lumpur, Malaysia.
-ROO\ 6XVLH DQG 5HHYHV +D]HO  Gender and Migration &XWWLQJ (GJH 3DFN %5,'*(
,QVWLWXWHRI'HYHORSPHQW6WXGLHV,'6%ULJKWRQ,'6%RRNVKRS
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$JULFXOWXUDO(FRQRPLFV5HVHDUFK5HYLHZ9RO
/RFNKHHG 0DUODLQH (  Gender and Social Exclusion (GXFDWLRQ 3ROLF\ 6HULHV 7KH
,QWHUQDWLRQDO ,QVWLWXWH IRU (GXFDWLRQDO 3ODQQLQJ ,,(3 DQG 7KH ,QWHUQDWLRQDO $FDGHP\ RI
(GXFDWLRQ,$(81(6&2
/RXLV 3UDNDVK (2007), Social Exclusion: A Conceptual and Theoretical Framework,
%LKDU6RFLDO,QVWLWXWH3DSHUSUHVHQWHGDWWKHQDWLRQDOFRQIHUHQFHRQ:KDWLWWDNHVWRHUDGLFDWH
poverty, New Delhi.
/XVRPH 5 DQG %KDJDW 5%  Trends and Patterns of Internal Migration in India,
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Neutral, UN Women, New Delhi.



0ULGXO(DSHQNational Rural Health Mission: Identifying Critical Gender Concerns1R3ROLF\

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3UDGKDQ%DVDQWD.DQG6XQGDU5DPDPDQLGender Impact of HIV and AIDS in India,
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University, Finland.
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8QLWHG1DWLRQVReport of the World Conference to review and appraise the achievements
of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace, 15th -26th July
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where she advocated with government, civil society and the media to help achieve its Millennium
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women suffering from psychiatric disabilities, gender dimensions in natural resource management,
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gendered perspective. She has a MA in Social Work from the Department of Social Work, University
of Delhi, is a trained researcher and a University Grants Commission-administered NET-JRF scholar
in the area of womens studies.



UN Women's Office for India, Bhutan, Maldives & Sri Lanka

19 A Rajdoot Marg
Chanakyapuri, New Delhi - 110021
Tel: +91-11-26119120-29
Fax+91-11-26119130