Challenging our understanding of development- a woman’s insight

Arpita Raksit- Indicorps 2010 Fellow March 14th 2012

Pre fellowship ideals

• Grameen Microfinance• Systematic relationship:• 1.Access to finance• 2.Investment in goods and

services• 3.Rise in disposable Income• 4.Expenditure on

family/community• 5.Well-Being• 6.Development• Income as a means to end

Alternative for Rural Movement ‘ARM NGO’

Baliapal, north eastern Orissa

Vision: “Establishment of an equitable social order …with emphasis on women and children in the sphere of health education, human rights, economy and rural leadership”

Background

‘Financial Literacy for Women’

300 Women’s Savings Groups

Where’s the development?? Look, listen, learn

The Project

o Participatory Rural Appraisal –o Exposure visitso Market researcho Surveyso Focus group discussionso Dream mapping

What is development?

Cultural Sensitivity & Relativism

40 women are learning tailoring skills

25 women are learning sari embroidery

Microenterprise

How development?

LIMITATIONS

o Lack of vocational trainingo Lack of market knowledgeo Time constraints o Microfinance - eased consumption rather than promote poverty alleviation

(Gender video)

Limitations

•Patriarchy•Freedom, choice, opportunity•Ownership•Consumerism driving domestic abuse•Economic, Social, Political Violence•Breach of Human Rights

Realisations

Mission: To build a mass movement of social empowerment in north eastern Orissa by fostering gender equality and creating a means to propel women and their communities out of poverty

GEETA

RURAL LEADERSHIP

RULE OF LAW

CAMPAIGNS

RESULTS

IMPACT

•15 female community leaders - Change makers

•PWDVA act, Dowry Prohibition act, marriage registration rules•ARM as Community Service Provider

•Exposure & Education•Watchdog•Partnerships: NAWO, TATA Consultancy Services

•Reduction in dowry, violence, divorce.•Greater equality and respect

•Mindset change•Women’s empowerment•Sustainable development

GEETA- Structure & Sustainability

• 3 day Exposure visit•Offsite Training•Stakeholders support• Media: TV and newspaper•Identity- uniform & badges•Poster campaign

GEETA- Activities

1. Transferring ownership

2. Capability of GEETA women

3. Mindset

4. ‘Gender development’- Subjective and not glamorous

Challenges to Sustainability

****Women’s empowerment is the key to ALLspheres of development****

o Relativism and non judgement

o Connections, love, service

Lessons Learnt

Women at the Core

Example 1:• HealthReproductive Health Rights

Environment Time & Labour Happiness and Efficiency Community Service Development

Example 2:• New plant fertiliserMen and Women pilot test

Diversity Innovation Productivity and GrowthWomen gain voice through Ownership Investment in Sustainable Development

www.indicorps.orgwww.armngo.orgwww.connectindia.org

Questions & Thoughts