2/22/2011

WOMEN
EMPOWERMENT
MAHILA SAMAKHYA

Anjana K C
Monika Mohanan
Srinivas Bhat
Vignesh Raja
 Introduction

Mahila Samakhya Uttar Pradesh is a non - government development organization in the field
of women empowerment through education. It Started in 1989 under the National Education
Policy 1986.It Works in socially and educationally backward blocks. It works directly with
poorest and most marginalized women primarily with dalit women.we are working without
any distinction of Caste, Creed or Religion.

Mahila Samakhya Uttar Pradesh committed to empower each woman to attain equality and
their just place in family, society and governance. Towards this Mahila Samakhya Uttar
Pradesh will enable ascertaining and establishment of women rights, access to qualitative
education, health and economic opportunities as well as capacities to utilise them.

Mahila Samakhya Uttar Pradesh is a unique initiative. A non-government programme, it has

the passion and commitment of a voluntary agency, energy of a movement and the synergies
of a systemic organisation. Its goals are broader and longer term in nature than a 'scheme', as
it seeks to bring about change in the situation of women, in terms of equality and
empowerment. MS works towards enabling women to bring about a change in their own
situation, while also helping society become equity-oriented. Thus, MS works on society in
general, but also through social and political institutions, government departments and
agencies, and through a larger advocacy in society.

Mahila Samakhya in 21 years long journey has been able to engage Sangha women in many
developmental activities, their learning about rights, finance, banking has given them new
sense of self worth. The new Sangha Women are full of aspirations and great urge to be
economically independent. Their boundless energy and exceptional resilience to fight back,
provides Mahila Samakhya the impetus to create new and innovative ways to fulfil its
unending commitment to economically marginalized rural women and their aspirations.
 Objectives

 Providing women and adolescent girls with the necessary support structure and
informal learning environment to create opportunities for education.Enhance the self-
image and self-confidence of women and thereby enabling them to recognize their
contribution to the economy as producers and workers.
 Create an environment where women can seek knowledge and information and
thereby empower them to play a positive role in their own development and
development of society.
 Mahila Samakhya programme had envisaged this pragmatic form of education.All
MS activities related to encouragement and promotion of education.
 Mahila Samakhya were mostely used for Spreading awareness on laws relating to
women's right and welfare.
The values that MS seeks to establish (as against only quantitative targets) are:
• Equity and justice
• Freedom, openness of mind
• Autonomy
• Sensitivity
• Respecting the understanding and perspective of women
• Collectiveness/ group intelligence to be respected and promoted
Programmes
Sangha
 The first priority under MS programnme at village/regional level to help women
emerge out of their out of their limited periphery and develop their innate capacities
by bringing about social and political awareness.This becomes possible only after, our
village level worker(sahyogini), earns a place of recognition fopr herself and
establishes repport with the women of the village .Gradually gains potency, it emerges
as a strong Sangha.In this way, in 4668 village, there are 1547 strong, 1101 medium,
1150 weak and 870 developing or emerging sanghas.
Activities of Sanghas
 7 Kendras(Centres) are being run in village of Kondhiyara block of Allahabad distric.
173 women and 20 adolescent girls have studied and passed out of these centres.
 235 women (out of total of 700) of 30 villages of Korawano block went to schools
and distributed uniforms.
  3 women of Harjipur village of Bhagyanpur block of Auraiya district filled forms for
'Balika Samridhi Yojana'. Two of these women are benefitting from thios scheme.
 Women of 18 sanghas of Gorakhpur district are doing collective farming with the of
saving fund.
 Sanghas also worked for establishment of Sanjeevani Kendras, helping single women
earn a place of respect and on the issue of female foeticide.
Cluster
 Certain problems taht are not solved at sangha level, are passed on to be4 discussed at
cluster level meetings. Women of 8-10 sanghas collectively try to find a solution to
these problems. For this work, they may have to undertake any of the following
activities- holding large meetings at village or block level, mass awareness and
community mobilization, holding 'jathas' or special drives etc. The women work in
unison and solve the problem.
Work Done by Cluster
 The person, who had taken by fruad Rs.300/- of the 'patta' of Ramdei of Jalalgaavn of
block Chhata of Mathura district, agree amongst the sangha/cluster women that he
would return the amount.
 As a result of the efforts of women of Cluster sangha of Chitrakoot district, wells of
10 villages were cleaned, 6 hand pumps were installed and 14 new wells were dug.
 Due to increased participation at cluster/block level, women of strong sanghas have
started holding meetings with women of weak sanghas in other vilages.
 Efforts of pratapgarh cluster have led the women of Asthan, Jaipur, Muraithi and
Trilochanpur to participate in meetings.
Mahasangha
 Sangha representatives meet at cluster level and cluster representatives meet at
Mahasangha level every month to formulate plans according to needs. Proposals are
passed and executed.In this way sanghas have made their way through cluster to
Mahasangha level.
Work and Initiatives of Mahasanghas
 Bankipur and Purani Dhara of Shankargarh block of Allahabad are in the process of
lease renewal.
 Women of Tikrauhi sangha of Shankargarh block got the 'patta' of the pond.
 Women of Kothi Juhi purchased a cart for Rs.3200/- and are earning by giving it for
hire.
  Through its efforts, Gorakhpur Mahasangha formed 20 sanghas and one cluster out of
which 6 sanghas are active.MKS, Kishori-Kendra, Bal-Kendra are also being run.
Mahasangha Networking
 Networking with government and non-governmental organizations.
 Networking with N A B A R D AND organic india for strengthening of income
generating activities.
 Women sanghas got job cards made by networking under NREGS.
 Mahasangha of Gorakhpur got a girl married to a boy of another sangha.
Economic Activities
 Members of Mahasangha of Chitrakoot block got 3 flour mills set up and are regularly
sending ration to MKSs and KGBVs.
Achievements
 Women of Chhathara and Chhori sanghas of Jasra block of Allahabad have taken land
on lease and carrying on collective farming.Chhathara sangha has earned a profit of
Rs.52,000.00 and Chhori sangha has earned a profit of Rs.46150.00.
 Lease of Bijnath, Seedh Tikat and Sonvarsha sangha of Shankargarh block of
Allahabad hava been finalized.Aprofit of Rs.10,000.oo has accured from lease of
Sonvarsha sangha.
 Mahasanghas of Chakiya and Niyamtabad blocks of Varanasi have got registration
made of 128 births, 23 deaths and 31 marriages.
 Gorakhpur Mahasangha of block Bhathat of Gorakhpur have got their 'thikana' built
and named it 'Apana Ghar'.Mahasangha carries out all its activities from this place
 Mahasangha of Auraiya distric got land of village society allocated to 6 sangha
women.It also got house allotted to 4 women of Luhiyapur sangha under 'India Awas
Yojana'.
 Saharanpur Mahasangha ran a cleanliness drains and use of neem smoke
 Chitrakoot Sanjeevani Kendra and Nari Adalats are being run by Phulwari Mahila
Samiti
Mahila Saksharta Kendra( Women Literacy Centre)
 Mahila Saksharta Kendra main purpose to make maximum number of women literate
 Kishori Kendra, also help these girls bring about positive and constructive changes in
their lives.
Kishori Kendra(Centre for adolescent Girls)
 Kishori Kendra,being run at village level, play a major role in joining adolescent girls
to the programme.
 Kishori Kendra, also help these girls bring about positive and constructive changes in
their lives.
Mahila Shikshan Kendra
 During the last 20 years, MKS programme has earned a place of pride among the
most successful experiments in the country related to education of adolescent girls.
 Women and adolescent girls, who are dropouts or have never been enrolled, join
MKS.
Nari Sanjeevani Kendra(Women Herbal Health Centres)
 Nari Sanjeevani Kendra is a place where medical treatment is provied with sensitivity
by women experts by herbal medicinenes.
 Medicines prepared by Nari Sanjeevvani Kendras are free from harmful side effects.
Nari Adalats
 Women have tried to ensure justice through Nari Adalats.
 MS is determined to ensure that the benefit of law on domestic violence reach those
really in need.
 After MS programme was introduced, struggle was started by informed and aware
women for establishment of their identity.
 Nari Adalats give a plateform to this struggle, these women emerged in a decisive role
at village, block and distric level and cases related to women's issues were heared on
fixed dates and also solved

Main Action areas of Mahila Samakhya

In UP, the main areas of MS actions are
 Education
 Health
 Economic empowerment
 Rights and governance
1) Education
 Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya(KGBV)
 National Pary for Education of Girls at Elementry Level (NPEGEL)
NPEGEL-Improving girl child education
 Started in the year 2003-2004 with 48 schools.
 In the year 2004-2005 it extended upto 107 schools in 119 Nyay Panchayats of 12
districts.
 Uniforms for girls.
 108 Meena Manch, 105 Bal kendras, libraries, toys and swings.
 Bicycles/Rikshas provided for girls.
 TOT on F.L.E. for the teachers.
 50 Summer camps on F.L.E. were organised for boys and girls.
 The prime mover are members of Sangha and Mahasangha.
MS is the Chief implementing partner for NPEGEL

Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya

KGBV is presently functioning in 10 districts with around 795 girls benefiting from it.
Strategies and Innovations
1. DIU level - education core team (Sahyogini+DIU)
 Regular visits
 Support in teaching methodology
2. Networking with education department/health department/NGOs/experts/community
3. Monitoring
By teachers - Monthly/six monthly tests
 Quarterly by DIU
 Six monthly by other district/state person
 Regular visits by state representative
 Yearly evaluation by state/district team
4. Interventions by Sangha
 Mid Day Meal- Cooking and Quality check
 Enrollment of girls and their retention
 Quality Teaching
 Books distribution
 Scholarship distribution
 Gender friendly environment
 Parents meeting
 Community Mobilization
  Identification of location and learners
 Teacher selection
 Curriculum preparation
5.Regular parent teacher meeting
6.Bal Adalat
7.Open community meetings
8.Educational tour in an outside district
9.Mela: Kishori Mela, Maa Beti Mela, Health Mela
10. Campaign: Teachers accountability, enrollment campaign
11. Awareness Building: Wall writing, Jattha, Nukkad natak etc
12. Regulars teachers training for teaching learning techniques

2) Health
Health Strategies
 Need assessment and analysis
 Training of workers (TOT) to take up health related issues during sangha meetings.
 Meetings and workshops with ANM to make them more sensitive & effective.
 Trainings and workshops with sangha women.
 Exchange of information at village level meetings and camps.Disseminate information
through herbal health centres.
 Networking with health department.
 Health related campaigns.
 Training adolescent girls.
 Formation of health core team from village to block level.
 Exposure visits.
 Information on inter dependence between health and environment.
Sanjeevani Kendra
Patients are treated by administering herbs and home remedies. It caters to the needs of
women, men and children.
Special features
 Sensitive towards patients and patient counselling to get rid of their hesitation.
 Constant care even after the treatment is over.
 Check-up of pregnant women and imparting pre and post natal information to them.
 To disseminate information about nutritional elements.
 Safe delivery through traditional means.
 To maintain health data of all sangha women.
 Mahila Samakhya will provide stability to Resource Centre which will support the
federation.
 Violence will reduce in the area.
 No child marriage.
 All girls will be literate.
Steps Ahead
 Training of health core team so that it may lead to an increased demand of female health
officials.
 To strengthen 32 Nari Sanjeevani Kendras.
 Publishing health IEC materials developed by health core team based on field testings.
 Exposure visit of Health Core Teams.
 To develop material based on the research done on oxytocin.
 To launch a campaign against the indiscriminate use of oxytocin injection.
 To launch marriage registration campaigns.

3) Economic Empowerment
 723 saving groups exist at present totaling about Rs. 36 Lakh as savings.
 Thrift and credit activities becomes the main source of income for the groups.
 80% sangha started internal loaning for their day to day needs.
 Savings are also used for Sangha-women for income generating activities as collective
farming, flour mill, making of pickles and herbal medicine, stationery, tent house,
catering, jewelry making etc.
 The savings do not show much movement which is indicative of women's fear to spend
and deal with cash but they have strong desire to be involved in income generating
activities.
 A training in entrepreneurship is needed.
 Many economic options and exposures to be offered.
Steps Ahead
 Strengthening of saving core team so that it may lead to IG groups for economic self
reliance.
 Providing basic vocational and management skills.
 Conduct training to inculcate entrepreneurial, business skills, specially the skill to deal
with cash and money.
 Networking with Government schemes.
 Enhance the capacity to establish IG units and run it.
 Focus on backward forward linkages.
 Hand holding for exposure, establishment of outlets, product designing, marketing,
organizing themselves under cooperatives etc.
 Long term collaboration with professional institutions like NIFT, CIMAP for better
quality of herbs and crafts

4) Rights and governance

 Violence against women
 Panchayat representation for women
Violence
Intervention By Sanghas To Prevent Violence Against Women
 To Counter Violence against women is the common and the main issue for all the M.S.

districts.
 To deal with violence, all Sangha women and workers have been made literate in legal
issues.
 The sanghas act as pressure groups for local and district administration to be gender
sensitive and take decision accordingly.
 By active participation of the legal core teams with community, their legal awareness has
increased.
Nari Adalat
 It is a community-based alternative system of dispensing justice with a feminist concept and

an analytical approach while deciding cases of violence against women.

 The women's courts (Nari Adalat) exert pressure on local administration for dealing the
cases of violence against women with gender sensitivity.
 A research by I.C.R.W. in year 2002 on women's courts has found that their pressure has
brought down the incidence of violence against women.
 At present 13 women's courts (Nari Adalat) are running in 8 M.S. districts . Expansion of
Nari Adalat Cases Solved In 'Nari Adalat' About 400 cases are decided every year by six
women's courts in two districts.
Steps Ahead
 Capacity building of kanoon core team with the help of exposure visit, trainings and
workshops. * Strengthening of Nari Adalat.
 Develop a team of paralegals for spreading legal littercy.
 Networking with national/international NGOs for funding.
 Develop legal literacy based IEC material for neo literates.
 Compilation of simplified version of all bills and acts pertaining to women issues.
 Senstization program with media , police personals and judiciary ,to decrease the violence
against women.
Panchayat Representation of women
MS coverage areas, our women sangha have played a special role in the empowerment of
women pradhans and women members.Women panchayat representatives get Strength feom
these sanghas(group).MS has planned strategies to work on panchayat related issues at two
leves.First level comprises of spreading awareness and information in community on
Panchayat Raj Structure, rights and responsibilities of pradhans, function and contribution of
samities.Second level focuses on capacity building of elected women representatives so that
they are able to influence the processes and functioning of local-self government.Ttraining,
workshops, meeting, conferences were organized with elected women representativees so that
they are able to carry out the roles and responsibilites of their posts well.
Strategies to Increase The Participation of Women in Panchayats
Holding meeting,organizing training programmes and workshops to generate awareness on
structure and working of Panchayats.Distribution of panchayat posts, pamphlets, stickers etc
and subsequent discussion on them in order to create mass awareness.Large scale meeting
and discussion on role and resposibilities of pradhans and panchayat members.Promoting
rapport and networking of leading sangha women with pradhans/BDC and block
office.Building panchayat core teams at sangha , block, federation and distric level and
holding training programmes for them.Meeting/workshop and conferences with elected
women representatives.Motive women to participate in open meeting of the village.
Panchayat Day
Panchayat day has been organized every third months.Pradhans and panchayat members from
the village and administrative officer/workers from tehsil and block come to attend these
meeting. Sangha menbers and people of the community also come with their problem.On this
day, discussions are held on panchayat related issues, schemes and other relevant
information.Initiatives are being taken to solve the problem at implementation level with the
help of government department
Change in Women Panchayat Representatives
 Have become more confident about their work.
 There has been an increase in self steem and respect received by them at home.
 Manage to do almost all the work of the panchayat.
 Increase in respect and recognition by community.
 Enhancement in the ability to speak out and take decision
 Have started participating in regional, block level meeting as well as in community
activities
Future Action Plan
 Capacity building of elected wonen representative.
 Preparing the workers as trainers of Panchayat Core Teams.
 Exposure visited for panchayat representatives/workers.
 Generating awareness in sanghas and community on panchayat related issues.

Challenges faced by Mahila Samakhya

Community level
 At some places villagers have stoned the houses of sangha women.
Local bureaucracy level
 Quotedar does not give proper grains.
 Pradhans instigate the parents at some places and even threaten the sangha women.
 They have even filed writs in many places.
 The pradhans have not given up the cylinders and gas chulha.
 Despite making many rounds of the BSA office, not getting conversion cost on time or
getting less than the stipulated amount.
 Not providing ration on time or providing less than the needed amount.

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