“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” These words of Mother Teresa hold deep meaning, especially when it comes to the subject of the role of citizens in the governance of a country. Why is this role so important? “Be the change you want to see,” could not be a more apt answer.
In India, the role of citizens is accentuated; India is the largest democracy of the world – for the people, by the people and of the people. However, ensuring involvement is easier said than done. Factors such as awareness, collaboration and finding practical solutions to valid problems are vital.
In India, almost 70% of the population inhabits rural areas, of which approximately 50% are women. Poor literacy levels and socio-cultural restrictions place rural women in India, most of the times, in a position of disadvantage. How can these women be empowered if they are not aware in the first place? Most women, in rural villages, are not even aware of the schemes the government is offering, which, if availed, could enhance the quality of their lives and the lives of their families too.
One such initiative which empowers women to become self-advocates for their own development, by providing them information and support and making them aware of government programmes to ensure better delivery of public services, is the Women’s Leadership Schools. Here, women learn about crucial issues such as food security, health and nutrition, their right to information and social security programmes. Women are trained how to apply for and claim their entitlements and how to appeal to the appropriate government official if their rights are delayed or denied.
“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” These words of Mother Teresa hold deep meaning, especially when it comes to the subject of the role of citizens in the governance of a country. Why is this role so important? “Be the change you want to see,” could not be a more apt answer.
In India, the role of citizens is accentuated; India is the largest democracy of the world – for the people, by the people and of the people. However, ensuring involvement is easier said than done. Factors such as awareness, collaboration and finding practical solutions to valid problems are vital.
In India, almost 70% of the population inhabits rural areas, of which approximately 50% are women. Poor literacy levels and socio-cultural restrictions place rural women in India, most of the times, in a position of disadvantage. How can these women be empowered if they are not aware in the first place? Most women, in rural villages, are not even aware of the schemes the government is offering, which, if availed, could enhance the quality of their lives and the lives of their families too.
One such initiative which empowers women to become self-advocates for their own development, by providing them information and support and making them aware of government programmes to ensure better delivery of public services, is the Women’s Leadership Schools. Here, women learn about crucial issues such as food security, health and nutrition, their right to information and social security programmes. Women are trained how to apply for and claim their entitlements and how to appeal to the appropriate government official if their rights are delayed or denied.
Trainees of the Women’s Leadership School in Khan Mohammadpur village in district Nuh, Haryana, acted against the corrupt practices by the local ration depot holder, who was not distributing the stipulated amounts of subsidized food items as promised under the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS). The women complained about this to the Sarpanch (village council head) and the officer of food and supply department. This alarmed the depot holder and he soon correctly distributed wheat to approximately 1,000 beneficiary households!
One can only imagine the thrill of being liberated and empowered – the liberation from ignorance and the empowerment of the self.
These success stories bring to mind Helen Keller’s powerful words: “Until the great mass of people shall be filled with the sense of responsibility for each other’s welfare, social justice can never be attained.” And, if social justice is not attained, how can a country move forward?
“Health and nutrition of women is a big concern. Women suffer from health problems, primarily because of unhealthy diet patterns. Basic awareness is all that is needed for leading a healthy life. If health is absent, then the important support that the women of the house provide to their families, is absent. This is what my domain is – imparting awareness to the women of the village, especially about themselves – their health and wellbeing,” says Heena Kumari, one of the trainers under the GGN (Good Governance Now) initiative.
Vikas Jha, Director, Good Rural Governance, Sehgal Foundation describes the journey of the initiative: “The idea of the Women’s Leadership Schools germinated from a keen observation: though the participation of women in the Village Leadership Schools, which was an initiative started in Mewat in 2013, was significant, the voicing of their opinion in public was minimal. This could be attributed to the dominant presence of males in the same gathering. With the concept of Women’s Leadership Schools, initiated in both Mewat, Nuh district, Haryana and in Samastipur, Bihar, women have, literally, found their voice, and, most importantly, are not afraid of expressing their views and suggestions.”
Two sessions, of 2 hours each, are held twice a month. The ‘students-teacher’ ratio is 1:25, which facilitates active interaction. All age groups are welcome! The trainer and the trainees are all women. The sessions are lively, involving group discussions, question and answer sessions and active problem solving. So, what encourages women to ‘come out of their shell’?
Jha explains: “Women are concerned about their families. They also realize that the content of the session addresses their needs. It empowers them. Results emerge, enhancing their confidence levels. More importantly, it is not required to be literate to understand the content of the sessions. This is because the pedagogy is designed in a manner that encourages ‘learning by doing’. The bond formed between the trainer and her group is sometimes so strong that it becomes like an extended family.”
Subjects covered include: midday meals, pensions, schemes for marriages of daughters, health and nutrition, RTI, RTE, schemes for expecting mothers and so on.
Who says that these women cannot speak to the Sarpanch or the collector? Many times they have proved their mettle by sorting out problems faster and more efficiently than could be imagined. “I recall an incident where a group of women had been waiting patiently for the collector of the village to listen to their issue. After waiting for almost an hour and a half, the collector appeared, only to quickly board his car. The women were quick to think and before he could depart, surrounded his car, voicing their request – proper and clear water supply. Media attention was not far either. The pressure created through the entire episode ensured speedy redressal of their concern.”
Women cannot pursue high-level advocacy? That is a mere myth.
Jha adds: “In places like Bihar, where men have migrated, and women and children are the major populace of the village, their participation is vital. The challenges, however, are many: household chores, family pressure, lack of confidence and so on. Once the benefits start to flow, which they do, all doubts are quashed. Amazingly, the concerned women fight all these challenges. Time helps them prove all the questions they are posed at the beginning, wrong.”
Over the past 1.5 – 2 years, approximately 300 women have been trained in both Samstipur, Bihar and Nuh, Haryana.
As Kofi Annan once said: “When women thrive, all of society benefits.” Now, who would refute that?
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