Chapter 5 Rural Urban Disparity in Empowerment of Women...
Transcript of Chapter 5 Rural Urban Disparity in Empowerment of Women...
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Chapter 5
Rural Urban Disparity in Empowerment of Women and Role of
Government Policy
Women are not highly empowered in Barak Valley, especially in the rural areas
compared to the urban areas. Empowerment of women is discussed in the previous chapter
(Chapter 4). This chapter focuses on the rural urban disparity and role of government policy in
raising women empowerment in this area. This chapter consists of three sections viz; Section
5.1, Section 5.2 and Section 5.3. Section 5.1 deals with rural urban disparity which is followed
by two other sections on role of government policy and implementation of the government
policies in Barak Valley.
5.1 Rural Urban Disparity:
The section focuses on the comparative analysis on empowerment of women
belonging to both rural area and urban area. The socio-economic statuses of the women
belonging to rural and urban areas are different. Due to different socio-economic set up of
these areas, there are huge disparities in their empowerment. These disparities can be
explained in the following sub-sections 5.1.1, 5.1.2 and 5.1.3.
5.1.1: Disparities in the context of Social Empowerment:
Social empowerment is understood as the process of developing a sense of autonomy
and self-confidence, and acting individually and collectively to demolish all social barriers
through education and legal steps. As discussed in the previous chapter, women in rural areas
generally have less education than the women living in urban areas. Lack of basic education
indeed prevents the girls in rural areas in realizing what their basic civil liberties are. They
remain confined within the four walls of their homes, and there too they are a shadow of their
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own self and have to follow what their men folk say. On the other hand, the urban women are
more educated, sophisticated, demanding, and aware of their own rights and liberties and
generally more well equipped to take care of themselves. The disparities of rural and urban
women of Barak Valley in their social empowerment are discussed below in the following.
Disparities in education
The educational status of urban women is far better than that of the rural women. The
percentage of illiterate women is more in rural areas than in urban areas in these three districts
of Barak Valley. The percentage of women in primary level is also more in rural areas than in
urban areas while in case of higher studies like Graduation and Post-Graduation, the
percentage of urban women is more than the rural women. This shows that urban women are
more advanced than rural women in terms of educational aspect (Table 5.1).
Table 5.1: Educational Status of Rural and Urban Women
Districts
Educational
Status
Rural Urban
Cachar Karimganj Hailakandi Cachar Karimganj Hailakandi
Illiterate 16.5 26.90 24.32 9.88 7.55 6.06
Primary 24 22.07 21.62 18.52 33.96 15.15
V-VII 16 16.55 13.51 1.85 7.55 6.06
H.S.L.C 25 24.83 24.32 8.64 16.98 12.12
H.S 12.5 6.21 9.46 27.78 24.53 30.30
Graduation 5.5 3.45 5.41 20.99 18.87 21.21
Post Graduation 0.5 0 1.35 12.35 11.32 9.09
Source: Calculated from the data of Primary Survey, June, 2012.
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Disparities in degree of autonomy for taking decision in the family
Fig 5.1 shows the degree of autonomy of the rural and urban women for taking
decision in the family. The percentage of women having low degree of autonomy in decision
making is more in rural area while the percentage of women having high degree of autonomy
in decision making is more in urban area than in rural area in these three districts. Again,
among the urban women the percentage of women having high degree of autonomy is highest
in Cachar District.
Disparities in freedom of movement
Regarding freedom of movement of the women, it is also observed that the percentage
of urban women have more freedom than the rural women in case of both freedom of
movement within the locality as well as freedom of movement outside the locality alone (Fig.
5.2).
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5.1.2: Disparities in the context of Economic Empowerment:
Economic empowerment is understood as a process which allows people to think
beyond their immediate daily survival and to exercise greater control over both their resources
and life choices. This sub-section can be divided into following different sub-category-wise.
Disparities in occupational pattern
The occupation of rural and urban women has been divided into nine categories viz;
Daily Salaried, Govt Employee (office), Monthly Salaried (unorganised), Private Sector
Employees, Small Scale Self Business, Large Scale Self Business, Govt School / College,
women are engaged mostly school /
sector and only 2.13 per cent of them are employed in govt offices (Fig. 5.3).
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Disparities in accessing money
Urban women have far more access to money than the rural women in all these three
districts and in all the five aspects viz; access to money for small purchases, access to money
for large purchases, having own bank account, having ATM facilities and able to operate own
ATM (Fig. 5.4).
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Disparities in Savings Investment pattern
Regarding savings / investments, the percentage of urban women is much more than
the rural women. Rural women save / invest mostly in
other type of savings / investment. But, urban women save / invest more than that of rural
women in all types of savings / investment scheme except recurring deposit (Fig 5.5).
Disparities in Gender Development Index Value
Fig. 5.6 shows the Gender Development Index (GDI) in Barak Valley which is
computed from the data collected from 2001 census. Equally Distributed Literacy Index
(EDLI) of the urban areas is more than the rural areas in these three districts; while the
Equally Distributed Work Participation Index (EDWPI) in rural areas is more than the urban
areas. Though the EDWPI in urban areas is low but due to high EDLI, the Gender
Development Index (GDI) in urban areas is higher than that in rural areas. Figure 5.7 also
shows the GDI in Barak Valley computed from the primary field survey. The situation is same
here regarding EDLI and EDWPI. In case of Equally Distributed Income Index (EDII) it is
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observed that there is a vast difference in the value between the rural area and urban area in
these three districts.
5.1.3: Disparities in the context of Political Empowerment:
Involvement of urban women in political arena is more than that of the rural women
but the disparity is less than in other fields viz; social and economic. Though urban women
have greater freedom than rural women to think and vote according to their own choice but
the percentage of urban women is not so admirable.
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Table 5.2: Political Involvement of Rural and Urban Women
Districts Rural Urban
Cachar Karimganj Hailakandi Cachar Karimganj Hailakandi
Female Contestant 9.17 6.25 12.5 16 17.5 25
Female Winner in Election 6.67 5 7.5 14 7.5 10
Vote by own choice 44.17 38.75 42.5 56 67.5 45
Source: Calculated from the data of Primary Survey, June, 2012.
5.2: Role of Government Policy at National level
From the above section, it is observed that there is huge disparity in the status of
empowerment between urban and rural women in all these three districts of Barak Valley.
Rural women are lacking much behind the urban women in all these three dimension viz;
social, economic and political. Overall development is not possible by keeping the rural part
aside. So, in order to cope with this problem, the government needs to take up some steps to
empower the rural women. This section deals with the role of various government policies for
developing and empowering women at the national level. It is well accepted that right from
the commencement of the planned development process in India, development and
empowerment of women has been given much attention by the Government of India which
can be ascertained in the following:
Welfare Programmes for Women:
The First Five Year Plan (1951-56) envisaged welfare measures for women and this
Five Year Plan. To spearhead
welfare measures, the Central Social Welfare Board (CSWB) was established in 1953 for
promoting and developing welfare services for women and children. The CSWB was also
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reflected in the community development approach, which envisaged for the first time, the
need for organising Mahila
envisaged welfare of women and children under Central Social Welfare Board Schemes and
encompassed a comprehensive social welfare programme; family planning featured
prominently in health plans during the period. Started in 1969-70, was also
implemented by the CSWB. Voluntary Organizations are funded under this scheme for setting
up short stay homes for women and girls who are the victims of marital conflict, family
maladjustment, crime or any other reason for which they become homeless. The scheme
provides funds for suitable accommodation with basic amenities to the inmates, besides funds
for services like counselling, legal aid, medical facilities, vocational training and rehabilitation
of inmates.
Education and Health Programmes for Women:
ntral Social Welfare Board in
1985 to cater the needs of girls / women who could not join mainstream education system or
who were dropout from formal schools. During the Tenth Plan, the target was to organize
2536 courses, covering 25 beneficiaries each, against which about 2514 courses were
organized during the plan. The Third, Fourth and other interim Plans (1961-74) also
emphasised on -1966) focused female
education as a major welfare strategy. In social welfare, the largest share was provided for
expanding rural welfare services and condensed course of education. This Plan also
emphasised on health programmes which concentrated mainly on the provision of services of
maternal and child welfare, health education, nutrition and family planning. The basic policy
within the family as the base of operation. The outlay on Family Planning was stepped up to
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reduce the birth rate from 40 to 25 per thousand through mass education. High priority was
accorded to immunisation of pre-school children and supplementary feeding for children,
expectant and nursing mothers.
Social Awareness Programmes for Women:
Post 1970s period witnessed
In 1971, the Government of India appointed the Committee on the Status of Women in India
(CSWI) to undertake a comprehensive examination of all the questions relating to the rights
and status of women in the context of changing social and economic conditions in the country,
and new problems related to the advancement of women, and also to suggest further measures
which would enable women to play their full and proper role in the building of the nation. The
eye-opener for the government and concerned citizens. Moreover, the CSWB, through
voluntary organizations has been implementing the project of ensuring social empowerment
through awareness generation since 1986-87 for rural and poor women. Camps are organized
in the community for generating awareness amongst women on issues relating to status, legal
rights, problems of women and other social issues and also to create enabling environment for
effective participation of women in decision making processes and for asserting their social,
economic and political rights.
Encouragement of Women in Work:
The Second Five Year Plan (1956-1961) recognised the need for women-workers in
various organisations. The Plan stated that women should be protected against hazardous
work; receive maternity benefits and crèches for children. It also suggested speedy
implementation of the policy of equal pay for equal work and provision for training to enable
women to compete for higher jobs. The Fifth Five Year Plan (1974-1979) emphasised the
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need to train women in need of income and protection. It also recommended a programme of
functional literacy to equip women with skills and knowledge to perform the functions of a
housewife (including child care, nutrition, health care, economists etc). This Plan coincided
Development Programmes for Women:
For the first time, in the planning history of India, the Sixth Plan (1980-85) document
included a chapter on Women and Development. There was a shift from welfare approach.
The plan emphasised economic independence for women, along with access to health and
family planning services. It was only during the Seventh Five Year Plan (1985-90) when the
s was emphasized; and special
The
various development programmes are -
Integrated Rural Development Programme (IRDP):
IRDP was launched on 2nd Oct, 1980. This is the major poverty alleviation programme
focussing mainly on better participation on women in the development process. Under this
scheme, at least 40 per cent of those assisted should be women. For facilitating greater
coverage of women, group approach for women beneficiaries was extended to all districts
from 1st January 1990 under which approach, group of women for thrift and credit societies
would be provided matching grant for a revolving fund equal to the amount of savings
generated by the group subjected to ceiling of Rs. 15,000.00 per group.
Development of Women and Children in Rural Areas (DWCRA):
The DWCRA (1982-83) was launched in co-operation of UNICEF to strengthen
women in conducting income generating activities. The objective of DWCRA is to raise the
income levels of women of poor households so as to enable their organised participation in
social development towards economic self-reliance. The primary thrust of DWCRA is to form
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a group of 15-20 women from poor households at the village level for delivery of services like
credit and skill training, cash and infrastructure support for self-employment.
Other Initiatives towards the Development of Women:
In 1985, a separate department for women and children was set up in the Ministry of
Human Resource Development.
Women Development Corporations were set up since 1986-87 in several states to identify
and assist women entrepreneurs and in continuation to this Mahila Samakhya schemes
were initiated to empower women.
The National Perspective Plan for Women (1988) was drawn up to facilitate
mainstreaming of s and programmes.
omen started
during the Eight Five Year Plan (1992-1997). It stressed that the benefits of development
from different sectors should not bypass women.
To monitor the flow of benefits to women, and enable them to function as equal partners
and participants in the development process, human development was focussed during the
period of Eight Five Year Plan.
Government Policies for Women Empowerment:
became one of the important objectives of Ninth Five
Year Plan (1997-2002). An effort was made to create an environment where women could
exercise their rights.
observed in 2001. This was the time when National Policy for Empowerment of Women was
adopt discrimination against women and to ensure gender justice,
Agents of Social Change and Development was continued in the Tenth Plan (2002-2007).
Towards this a sector-specific three-Fold Strategy was adopted based on the National Policy
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for Empowerment of Women (2001) viz; social empowerment, economic empowerment and
gender justice.
as adopted to monitor flow of
all types of benefits to women and to ensure that the proposed strategy brings forth a
holistic approach towards empowering women. Gender Justice is the major strategy
followed in the implementation of the through which
efforts were made to ensure that not less than 30 per cent of funds / benefits under various
schemes of all Ministries / Departments were earmarked for women.14.
Swashakti:
One of the special initiatives taken during Ninth Plan included launching of an
externally aided scheme of Swashakti (1998) for socio-economic empowerment of women
through self reliant self help groups.
Empowerment Project (RWDEP) was an externally aided Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS),
funded by the World Bank and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
It was also a Self-Help Group (SHG) based scheme for socio-economic empowerment of
women with a multi-dimensional and participatory approach for poverty alleviation in a
subsidy free manner. Though the project was effective for a period of five years from April
1999 up to June 2004 but subsequently it was extended up to June 2005. The Project was
under implementation in 57 districts (335 blocks) of 9 States viz; Bihar, Chhatisgarh, Gujarat,
Haryana, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh and Uttaranchal. A total
of 17,647 women SHGs were mobilized under the project covering about 2,44,000 women. A
large number of SHGs have been linked to the banks and are engaged in income generating
activities.
14Source: Report of the Steering Committee on Empowerment of Women and Development of Children for the Eleventh Plan, Planning Commission, Govt of India.
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Swayamsidha:
Swayamsidha, a centrally sponsored scheme was launched in 2001 for a period of 6
years. The scheme covered 650 Blocks in 32 States / Union Territories (UTs). The main
objective of Swayamsidha was an all-round empowerment of women, especially social and
economic empowerment by ensuring their direct access to and control over resources through
a process of mobilization and convergence of all the on-going sectoral programmes. It
promoted self- s Self-Help Groups (SHGs). A total of 68,575 SHGs have been
formed under the scheme against the target of 65,00015. The Scheme ended in March 2008.
The Govt. of India has desired that the State Governments should hand hold the Self Help
Groups formed under the Swayamsidha scheme till the launch of the second phase of the
programme.
Swadhar:
Swadhar or Scheme for Women in Difficult Circumstances was launched in 2001-02
with a flexible and innovative approach to extend rehabilitation services for women in
difficult circumstances etc. like shelter, food, clothing and care to marginalized women and
girls living in difficult circumstances. It includes women without any social and economic
support like destitute widows, women prisoners released from jail and without family support,
women survivors of natural calamities, trafficked women and women victims of violence who
do not have family support. A major objective of this scheme is to provide help line to women
in distress. Shelter homes in each district are need of the times.
Support for Training and Employment Programme (STEP):
The Support for Training and Employment Programme (STEP), a Central Sector
Scheme under implementation since 1987 is for providing skills and new knowledge to poor
15Source: Report of the Steering Committee on Empowerment of Women and Development of Children for the Eleventh Plan, Planning Commission, Govt. of India.
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and asset less women in trades in traditional sector. Under the scheme women beneficiaries
are organized into viable and cohesive groups or co-operatives. A comprehensive package of
services including health care, crèche facilities, market linkages etc. are provided besides
assess to credits. Skill development is provided in ten traditional activities to women. The
target during 10thPlan period was to provide skill development training to 2.50 lakh women
though about 2.35 lakh women were provided training during the plan period.
Swawlamban:
Swawlamban,
launched in 1982-83 with the assistance from the Norwegian Agency for Development
Corporation (NORAD). From 1996-97, however, the programme was funded by the
Government of India. The objective of the programme is to provide training and skills to poor
and needy women, women from weaker sections of the society such as SCs and STs etc., to
facilitate them to obtain employment and self-employment on a sustain basis. The
programme, however, has been transferred to the State Governments with effect from April
2006 in order to ensure more effective implementation and for better monitoring and
evaluation of the programme.
Hostels for Working Women:
In order to provide support services to women scheme
is implemented by the Ministry of women and Child Development. Under this scheme
financial assistance is provided to NGOs, Co-operatives bodies and other agencies for
construction of hostels or renting of buildings to use as hostels for working women with day
care facilities for children. A major objective of the scheme is to encourage mobility of
women in the employment market by facilitating them with safe and affordable
accommodation at the place of their employment. The utilization of funds under the scheme
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had been unsatisfactory during 10th Plan as NGOs were not able to avail funds as per norms of
funding. There was also lack of suitable proposals from the eligible organizations.
Gender Budgeting:
has also been adopted in the country as an important measure to
ensure Gender Justice. The importance of Gender Budgeting arises from recognition of the
fact that national budgets impact various sections of the society differently through the pattern
of resource allocation and priority accorded to combating sectors. The budgetary policy of the
Government has a major role to play in achieving objectives of gender equality and growth
through content and direction of fiscal and monetary policies, measures for resource
mobilization and positive action for under-privileged sections. Gender budgeting looks at the
government budget from a gender perspective to assess how it addresses the needs of women
in the areas like health, education, employment etc. Gender budgeting obviously, does not
seek to create a separate budget but looks for affirmative action to address specific needs of
women. For the first time in the Union Budget, 2005-06, it is included in the Budget
document as a separate statement highlighting the gender sensitivities of the budgetary
allocation under ten demands for grants. Following advice from the Ministry of Finance and
Planning Commission, Gender Budgeting Cells have also been set up in most of the Central
Ministries / Departments. The Ministry of Women and Child Development being the nodal
agency for women empowerment in the country, has been entrusted with the task of
coordinating with the Ministries / Departments to materialize gender budgeting. Accordingly,
the Ministry has also been organizing the workshops at regular intervals to sensitize all central
Ministries / Departments in the matter of Gender Budgeting. The gender budgeting exercise
has to be adopted in all states and UTs as ultimately they are the implementing agencies of all
developmental programmes at the field level.
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The National Commission for Women:
The National Commission for a national level statutory body was set up in
1992 to work towards safeguarding the rights and interest of women. This has been working
towards gender justice for women in the country. The major activities of the Commission
include investigation, examination and review of all matters relating to safeguards provided to
women under the Indian Constitution; review of implementation of women specific and
women related legislation and to suggest suitable amendments wherever needed; keeping
surveillance and facilitating redress of grievances of women etc. The Commission thus has
been in the fore front of the national endeavour to improve the status of women in society and
work for their overall empowerment. The important activities that the Commission has been
undertaking besides review of laws and legislations, enquiries related to violence against
women, organizing seminars, workshops, public hearing etc., organizing Bal Vivah Virodh
Abhiyan, interacting with members of parliament and others regarding pending women
related bills, organizing Parivarik Mahila Lok Adalats and legal awareness programmes,
sponsoring studies on women related issues etc. A common point raised regarding the
Commission is that the Commission has been functioning more as an advisory body. Since
this is the nodal agency for protection of rights of women, it needs to be empowered further to
function as a statutory body.
Mahila Samridhi Yojana:
In October 1993, the Government of India launched a scheme called Mahila Samridhi
Yojana (MSY). This is a central sector plan scheme implemented through the network of post
offices in rural areas. The Department of Women and Child Development is the nodal
institution for implementing this scheme. Mahila Samridhi Yojana encourages every rural
adult woman to open an MSY account in her village post office in which she may deposit her
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savings. For an amount upto Rs. 300.00 per year, with a one year lock-in period, government
contributes 25 per cent.
Rajiv Gandhi Scheme for Empowerment of Adolescent Girls (RGSEAG)
Rajiv Gandhi Scheme for Empowerment of Adolescent Girls (RGSEAG) , a
centrally sponsored scheme has been approved by the Government on 16th August, 2010. The
scheme is being implemented in 200 districts across the country on a pilot basis. In the
remaining districts, Kishori Shakti Yojana (KSY) continues to be operational as before.
However, Sa has completely replaced Nutrition Programme for Adolescent Girls
(NPAG) as all districts of NPAG are now part of the Sabla. The scheme aims at vocational
training for girls above 16 years of age for their economic empowerment.
Sabla is being implemented through the State Governments / UTs with 100 per cent
financial assistance from the Central Government for all inputs other than nutrition provision
for which 50 per cent Central assistance to States is provided. Anganwadi Centre is the focal
point for the delivery of the services. The basic objectives of Sabla are to provide life skill
education and accessing public services to women, Vocational training for girls aged 16 and
above under National Skill Development Program (NSDP). The successful implementation
of Sabla requires convergence with development activities/schemes of other Departments
such as Health, Education, Youth Affairs, Labour, PRIs etc. Nearly, 100 lakh adolescent
girls per annum are expected to be benefitted under the scheme. Against the allocation of Rs.
350 crore for the year 2010-11, a sum of Rs. 330 crore (approximately) has been released to
States / UTs.
Rashtriya Mahila Kosh - (National Credit Fund for Women):
The Rashtriya Mahila Kosh (National Credit Fund for Women) was set up in 1993
with a corpus of Rs. 31 crore, against the backdrop of socio-economic constraints faced by
poor women to access micro credit from the formal financial system in the country,
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especially those in the rural and in unorganized sectors. The principal corpus was increased
to Rs.100.00 crore during 2009-10. The main objective of setting up of Rashtriya Mahila
Kosh (RMK) under the Department of Women and Child Development (now Ministry) is to
provide micro-credit to poor women for various livelihood support and income generating
activities at concessional terms in a client-friendly procedure to bring about their socio-
economic development. The RMK is now being restructured as a NBFC with a corpus of
Rs.500.00 crore. There would be a quantum jump in the business volume of the
organization through this restructuring. Further, RMK extends loan up to maximum of 18
per cent interest per annum to SHGs / beneficiaries.
Rajiv Gandhi National Creche Scheme:
With a view to encourage women to join / continue with gainful employment, Rajiv
Gandhi National Creche Scheme for children of working mothers (RGNCS) has been
introduced in 2006. The scheme seeks to provide day care facilities to children in the age
group 0-6 years from families with a monthly income of less than Rs. 12,000.00. In addition
to being a safe space for the children, the crèche provide services like supplementary
nutrition, preschool education, emergency health care etc. This central sector scheme is
implemented through Central Social Welfare Board (CSWB) and two national level mother
NGOs i.e. Indian Council for Child Welfare (ICCW) and Bharatiya Adimjati Sevak Sangh
(BAJSS).
Ujjawala Scheme:
The Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India during the year
2007-2008 introduced a Comprehensive Scheme for Prevention of Trafficking and Rescue,
Rehabilitation and Re-integration of Victims of Trafficking for Commercial Sexual
Exploitation UJJAWALA . The basic objectives of the schemes are to prevent trafficking
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of Women and Children, to facilitate Rescue of victims, to provide Rehabilitation, to facilitate
Re-integration and to facilitate Repatriation of cross border victims.
The Commissioner of Social Defence is designated as Nodal Officer for scrutinizing,
inspecting, recommending and forwarding the proposals received from NGOs to Government
of India.
Indira Gandhi Matritva SahyogYojana (IGMSY) Conditional Maternity Benefit (CMB)
Scheme:
Indira Gandhi Matritva Sahyog Yojana (IGMSY) Conditional Maternity Benefit
(CMB) scheme is a Conditional Cash Transfer scheme for pregnant and lactating women to
contribute to better enabling environment by providing cash incentives for improved health
and nutrition to pregnant and nursing mothers. It is being implemented initially on pilot basis
in 52 selected districts using the platform of ICDS. IGMSY is a centrally sponsored scheme
introduced in the FY 2010-11, under which the grant-in-aid is released to States / UTs. The
scheme envisages providing cash directly to BPL women during pregnancy and lactation in
response to individual fulfilling with specific conditions. The scheme attempts to partly
compensate for wage loss to pregnant & lactating women both prior to and after delivery of the
child.
5.3: Implementation of the Government Schemes in Barak Valley
To improve the socio-economic status of women, some government schemes are
implemented in Barak Valley. These are discussed in the following:
i) Swadhar
This scheme is implemented in all three districts in Barak Valley through voluntary
organisations named Wodwichee and Roghurtook Club and Library. Wodwichee has worked
in Cachar and Hailakandi district whereas Roghurtook Club has worked in Karimganj district.
The details are discussed in the following.
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Swadhar Shelter Home and Helpline at Silchar, District Cachar:
Due to socio-economic and regional factors, women and girls at Cachar district are
exposed to exploitation, atrocity and destitution and are living in sub-human conditions. Over
the last few years, due to factors such as poverty, lack of employment, family mal-adjustment,
trafficking, eloping, migration from other states, natural calamities etc., there is a substantial
increase in the number of women in this district who need intervention and services. There are
many women who are victims of unfortunate circumstances and they are in need of
institutional support for rehabilitation so that they could lead their life with dignity. In the
backdrop of the prevailing scenario, the Swadhar Shelter Home and Helpline was
implemented at Cachar District by the Organisation Wodwichee on 1st March, 2005. Since its
establishment, the Swadhar Centre for 50 inmates at Silchar has been functioning and serving
the purpose of the SWADHAR Scheme in a holistic manner. The services which are being
provided includes (i) Medical Tests, (ii) Shelter, (iii) Nutrition, (iv) Food, (v) Clothing, (vi)
Medical Services, (vii) Counselling, Training & Education, (viii) Capacity Building, (ix)
Rehabilitation and (x) Sustained follow-up.
Since 1st March, 2005, 137 women have been successfully rehabilitated and
sustainably followed up. The Swadhar Shelter home is backed by a Helpline and 5387 number
of calls have been attended by the staffs and provided with satisfactory counselling and
guidance.
Swadhar Shelter Home and Helpline at Hailakandi District:
With the sponsorship from Ministry of Women and Child Development, Govt of India,
Wodwichee has also successfully established Swadhar Shelter Home and Women Helpline at
Hailakandi on 1st November 2005, with the same purpose of extending support for women
victims in difficult circumstances. The services of Wodwichee in Hailakandi district is a little
bit different from Cachar district. In Hailakandi district, these are mainly (i) Temporary
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residential accommodation, (ii) Food, (iii) Clothing, (iv) Medical Treatment facilities, (v)
Vocational and Skill up gradation trainings for economic rehabilitation of such women
Capacity building for Alternative Livelihood generations, (vi) Counselling awareness
generation and behavioural trainings, (vii) Legal aid and Guidance and (vii) Counselling
through telephone. During the year 2011-12, the details of the beneficiaries are given below
(Table 5.3).
Table 5.3:District-wise implementation of Swadhar Shelter Home Scheme for Women
Beneficiaries in Barak Valley During 2011 - 12
District Name of the Voluntary Organization Category Women No.
Cachar Wodwichee
No. of women as on 31.03.2012 54
No. of women Rehabilitated 13
No. of women admitted 17
Hailakandi
Wodwichee
No. of women as on 31.03.2012 52
No. of women Rehabilitated 14
No. of women admitted 17
Karimganj
Roghurtook Club and library
No. of women admitted 16
No. of women rehabilitated 15
Source: Compiled from Annual Report 2011-12, Wodwichee & Roghortuk Club & Library
Swadhar Shelter Home & Helpline at Karimganj District:
Due to socio-economic and regional factors, women and girls are exposed to different
sorts of exploitation in Karimganj district. In order to address the issue, the Organisation
and found that the district has a large number of women and girls in difficult circumstances
like widow, destitute, deserted women, sexually abused victims, trafficked, migrants who
have been rendered homeless due to natural calamities like flood, cyclone and other social
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maladjustment. In order to cater the requirements of these women, a Swadhar Shelter Home &
Helpline service was set up at Nilam Bazar in Karimganj on 1st March, 2005.
The Shelter home provides services to 50 women and their depended children living in
difficult circumstances who are without any social and economic support and to rehabilitate
them socially and economically through education, awareness, skill up gradation and
personality development through behavioural training etc. The detail of the beneficiaries
during the year 2011-12 is given in Table 5.3.
ii) Short Stay Home:
Short Stay Home at Cachar District:
In the backdrop of the prevailing circumstances and given the large magnitude of
problems of women and girls of Cachar District, the need for establishing a Short Stay Home
for women and girls in difficulties had increasingly being realised by the Organisation
Wodwichee th April,
2005. The home is meant primarily for those women and girls who are either exposed to
moral danger or are victims of family discord and the resulting strain of relationship or
emotional disturbances. The services that are provided include (i) Institutional services
compromising of counselling and guidance (ii) Medical and Psychiatric check-up and
treatment (iii) Facilities for development of skills and relationships (iv) Free boarding and
lodging and (v) Vocational training programme.
These services have linkage with the training facilities available in other organisations
outside the homes. Besides the above services, there are also facilities for organised recreation
and group activities for the inmates of the Home. The staffs of the home undertake proper
follow-up studies on discharged residents to ensure a smooth re-integration into the
community and the family. During the year 2011-12, the details of the beneficiaries are given
in Table 5.4.
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Table 5.4:District-wise implementation of Short Stay Home Scheme for Women
Beneficiaries in Barak Valley During 2011 - 12
District Name of the Voluntary
Organization
Category Women No.
Cachar Wodwichee
No. of women as on 31.03.2012 33
No. of women Rehabilitated 17
No. of women admitted 19
Hailakandi
Wodwichee
No. of women as on 31.03.2012 34
No. of women Rehabilitated 14
No. of women admitted 17
Karimganj
Roghurtook Club and library
No. of women admitted 30
No. of women rehabilitated 28
Barak Valley Nivedita Nari Sangstha No. of beneficiaries 05
Source: Compiled from Annual Report 2011-12, Wodwichee & Roghurtuk Club & Library &
Annual Report 2003-04-05, Nivedita Nari Sangstha.
Short Stay home at Hailakandi:
The organisation Wodwichee has observed that there is a tremendous increase in
number of women and girls having severe adjustment problems, marital conflict, emotional
disturbances which expose them to uncertainty, destitution, atrocities, prostitution and moral
danger etc. These women and girls require help, guidance and temporary shelter to acquire
skills to become self-reliant that could help in the re-establishment of their status in the
society. In addressing the much felt need of an integrated effort, a Short Stay Home has been
running by Wodwichee at Hailakandi since 1999-2000. The services that are provided include
(i) Free lodging and food (ii) Counselling (iii) Medical Treatment (iv) Education (v) Need
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based training on weaving, handicraft, tailoring, housekeeping etc. (vi) Primary education to
the children of inmates along with medical supports as and when necessary. The detail
numbers of women beneficiaries during 2011-12 are given in Table 5.4.
Short Stay Home at Karimganj:
To protect and rehabilitate the women and girls of Karimganj who are facing social
and economic problems due to family matters, mental stress, social ostracism, exploitation or
other causes or are being forced into prostitution and are in moral danger, the organisation
two places viz; at Nilambazar in 2001 and at Patherkandi in the year 2005. Both the centres
have been providing services as per the guidelines laid down by CSWB which include (i)
Needful residential support (ii) Nutrition (iii) Medical supports (iv) Training to inmates (v)
Educational supports to their children throughout the year (vi) Rehabilitation. During the year
2011-12, the details of the beneficiaries in both the centres are mentioned in the Table 5.4.
Short Stay Home at Barak Valley:
This scheme has also been taken up by Nivedita Nari Sangstha in Barak Valley. The
main aim of this programme is to provide shelter and rehabilitation to women who are in
moral danger or having family discord. They are provided with guidance and counselling to
regain confidence in them, skills to become self- reliant, medical check-up facilities and
psychiatric treatment if necessary. The efforts are made to help the women along with their
children below ten years of age to rehabilitate them within a short period of time. Literacy is
also provided to the deserving inmate for both mother and children.
iii) Support to Training & Employment Project (STEP):
In the perspective of self-reliance and exploration of sustainable employment avenues
odwichee
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only in Hailakandi district since 1997-98 with project components comprising of
communication, sensitization and access to training and support.
Table 5.5: Implementation of Support to Training & Employment Project (STEP) for
Women Beneficiaries in Hailakandi District during 2011 - 12
Activities Achievement
Establishment of Development co-operatives 5 (10 SHGs in each Co-operative)
Skill up gradation training 475 Beneficiaries
Practical & field level training 45 SHGs and 450 Beneficiaries
Raw materials & equipment required for training (Qty) 475 units
Infrastructure 475 units
Raw materials & equipment for production. (Qty) 475 units
Marketing (Qty) 475
Others (Support services)
i) Goatery Health Camp
ii) Free health camp
iii) Free legal advice and awareness
iv) Referral services
9
9
4
10
Source: Compiled from Annual Report 2011-12, Wodwichee
During the period from 1997-2010, a total of 1087 number of rural women were
organised into groups and provided with training and credit support on various rural sectors.
But, this project is not still implemented in both Cachar and Karimganj district. The above
table (Table 5.5) shows the achievement in terms of numbers of beneficiaries covered and
physical activities undertaken during the period from 1st July 2010 to 31st March, 2012.
iv) Integrated Project for rural women artisan SHGs:
Towards empowering the rural poo odwichee
continuous stride to discover feasible resources and traditional skills among them. The
organisation has identified several types of traditional artisan activities based on rural area.
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Out of these conventional skills, the organisation has adopted some which are physically and
economically workable for the women like crop harvesting, processing and storage
equipments like tukri, koloi, kulajungi (locally named), fishing equipments like hufi, dori,
sefa, materials and in day to day household activities like sheetolpati, mat, shootli, motka, etc.
To make these artisan skills economically sustainable, the organisation has been
Various
steps that are undertaken in the project include
a) Identification of economically viable traditional artisan skill
b) Awareness generation among the target population
c) Selection of beneficiaries and formation of SHGs
d) Training of SHGs for skill development on improved products and marketing techniques
e) Need based financial and material support to the groups formed
Table 5.6: Implementation of Integrated Project for rural women artisan SHGs for
Women Beneficiaries in Cachar and Hailakandi Districts during 2009 - 12
Year Number of beneficiaries Number of groups
2009-10 57 5
2010-11 72 7
2011-12 89 9
Source: Compiled from Annual Report 2011-12, Wodwichee
During the year 2011-12, artisan women beneficiaries who have been provided with
the project support is given in Table 5.6. It is also observed that the number of women
beneficiaries as well as number of groups increases over the time period.
v) Readymade Garments Training Cum Production Centre:
In order to generate sustainable source of income for women and girls, Wodwichee
has been working for last few years in the field of ready-made garments training and
production process.
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Table 5.7: Readymade Garments Training given by Wodwichee for Women
Beneficiaries in Cachar District during 2009 - 12
Year No. of women trained No. of trainees placed No. of trainees self employed
2009-10 29 21 8
2010-11 31 27 4
2011-12 34 29 5
Source: Compiled from Annual Report 2011-12, Wodwichee
The organisation has established a ready-made garments training and production only
at Silchar in Cachar district. Along with training, winter wears like woollen sweater, muffler,
caps etc and different types of summer wear and casual wear for children and gamocha,
handkerchief, towel, pillow cover, bed cover, curtains, etc. had also produced and sold by the
beneficiaries. The centre supports for proper placement of the trainees and facilitates to those
who are able to start their own venture in small scale.
In the same field another organization named WACDO (Women and Child
Development Organisation) has also been working. The duration of the training course of
WACDO is one year and during 2011-12, 30 women have successfully completed their
training course. One time assistance of Rs. 4000.00 to each beneficiary has been given after
successful completion of training. The beneficiaries have been provided with guidance,
managerial and technical support to start their venture. The organisation has also undertaken a
sustained following-up for holistic rehabilitation and empowerment of the beneficiaries.
vi) Training Centre on Improved Weaving:
WACDO has been providing training on improved weaving and the course contains on
(i) Weaving mechanism, (ii) Design and Calculation, (iii) Bleaching and (iv) Spinning etc.
The duration of the training for each batch is six months. During 2011-12, two batches
of ten beneficiaries each has successfully completed their training course and has been
provided with stipend @ Rs. 250.00 per month and materials to the beneficiaries to start their
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individual production centre and it has been found from the annual report that most of them
set up their centre and running very smoothly.
vii) Training on Food Processing:
As food processing is an important income generating avenue, the Organisation
Wodwichee has found that it can be very helpful for women as a source of supplementary and
sustainable income. The organisation initiated the trainings on food processing and
preparation of food products like pickles, jam and several types of papad etc. that can be
prepared locally and other locally based fruit products. During 2010-11, a number of
31women were trained. During the year 2011-12, the organisation surveyed the small scale
ventures that were established by the persons trained from the organisation and found the step
was very fruitful. It is observed that some more unemployed women can get job as helper in
these units if they are trained properly.
Table 5.8: Training on Food Processing given by Wodwichee for Women Beneficiaries in
Cachar District during 2009 - 12
Year No. of women trained No. of trainees placed No. of trainees self-employed
2009-10 29 21 8
2010-11 31 22 4
2011-12 34 29 5
Source: Compiled from Annual Report 2011-12, Wodwichee
During the year 2011-12, the organisation initiated another training session for a new
batch. The organisation also made a communication with the food processing factories and
small scale units to accommodate the trained women.
viii) Coconut Coir Making Training Centre for Scheduled Caste Women:
The organisation Wodwichee after searching and exploring viable income
generating activities for the poor under privileged section found that Barak Valley region
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produces huge quantity of coconut but there was lack of organised training and processing
unit for utilising the huge coconut fibre. Wodwichee during 2008-09 started a coconut coir
making training cum production centre at Hailakandi. Below poverty line women belonging to
schedule caste are being trained to make coconut coir and their sale is also facilitated so that
these women make good profit out coir sale. This training is providing a good prospect to
illiterate or low educated schedule caste poor women and earning a sustained livelihood. The
number of trained women and their placement increase over the time period. This organisation
also assists in production of coconut coir related other products to diversify the skill. Product
worth Rs. 1.29 lakhs has been sold during the year 2011-12. It is significantly observed that
the number of women trainee increases over time period (Table 5.9).
Table 5.9: Training on Coconut Coir Making given by Wodwichee for Women
Beneficiaries in Hailakandi District during 2009 - 12
Year No. of women trained No. of trainees placed No. of trainees self-employed
2009-10 29 21 8
2010-11 31 27 4
2011-12 34 29 5
Source: Compiled from Annual Report 2011-12, Wodwichee
ix) Family Counselling Centre:
Family Counselling Centre has been functioning since 2002 at Hailakandi District for
solving various interpersonal and familial conflicts, particularly involving women. During the
year 2011-12, a total of 106 cases have been registered and relevant counselling has been
offered to them. The centre also maintains a follow-up against every case to ascertain
successful reconciliation of the relationship.
It is true that the marital maladjustment problem is increasing at an alarming rate due
to demand for dowry, economic crisis, personality difference, interference of parents-in-laws,
extra-marital relation etc. an immediate intervention with emotional & legal support in needed
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to save personal life & integration of family through the process of counselling. Realizing the
fact, WACDO has been running Family Counselling Centre at block head quarters under the
Lala Development Block of the District Hailakandi from the year of 2008-09. The centre
helps women in the distress condition, help to the clients, sort out their problems, restore their
self confidence and make them self reliant. Clients are made aware of the causative factors of
such problems and help to find out alternative solutions. In addition to this, the centre has
been active for developing the awareness among the local women and girls regarding their
constitutional rights, equality and social justice etc.
Family Counselling Centre is also operating at Nilambazar covering the entire Karimganj
district. The breaking down of joint family and emergence of nuclear family has created lots of
problem in family life to restore this and save the family from their break-down, the organization
has started FCC Programme. Since its inception in 2002, the Family Counselling Centre is
functioning efficiently solving various interpersonal and familial conflicts, particularly involving
women. In the year 2011-12, a total number of 90 cases have been registered, while out of the total
cases, 81 cases have been resolved amicably while nine cases are dropped-out and pending. The
cases solved have been followed up by the councillor.
x)
The Working Women Hostel at Old Hospital Road in Hailakandi district has capacity
of 40 numbers of inmates at a time. During 2011-12, 38 working women belonging low
income group (Rs. 3000/- to Rs. 16,000/- per month) came from distant locality of the district
and seven children of inmates stayed in the hostel. The hostel provides safe and secured
lodging accommodation to the residents along with free recreational facilities.
Developmental scenario of Karimganj district is not very bright. In fact, it is one of the
most backward districts in India in terms of socio-economic development. The women migrate
from the rural areas to district headquarter looking for job the meagre amount they get is not
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sufficient to stay in a rented room with the growing demand the organization has started Working
Women Hostel for 50 working women of low income group coming from distant places, At the
time of reporting, there are 48 working women and seven children in the hostel. Hostel provides
safe, secured and lodging accommodation to the residents along with free recreational supports.
xi) Programme on Domestic Violence:
Different kinds of industrial sectors like tea garden, brick industry, cement industry,
ice factory, candle and agarbati factory, food processing factory, construction sites, paper mill,
flour mill, interstate bus terminus etc. has come up in the Barak valley region. In these
working areas, women are facing many kinds of physical and mental assaults. Moreover, there
are instances of domestic violence as well. To avoid domestic violence and harassment
against women labour in industrial places, factories, etc., awareness and sensitization
programmes have been organizing by Wodwichee in various places of Hailakandi district.
During the year 2011-2012, 11 sensitization programs hold on various issues viz., women
rights, wage package, sanitation, health issues like HIV / AIDS, etc. and Domestic Violence
Act have been organized in places like Lalamukh-Gaglacherra, Ainakhal, Kalacherra,
Panhgram, Hailakandi II, Algapur, Katakal Salchapra and Nitainagar.
In 2011-12, three sensitization programmes on women labour and Domestic Violence
Act was organized at different corner of the Karimganj district viz; at south Karimganj
development block, Patharkandi Development Block and at Karimganj district headquarter.
The participants were coming mainly from nearby industrial places, Putni tea estate and brick
industry from nearby Karimganj district. Altogether 500 participants have been registered in
these sensitization programs. Resource persons from district Labour office have been invited
as experts in these sensitization programmes. The resource persons discussed on different
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topics viz; on Women rights, Economic empowerment of women, Health and sanitation
programme.
xii) Continuing Education Centres:
Roghurtook Club and Library started the Continuing Education Centres to enhance a
sustained follow up and to provide value based education, Continue Education centre has
came to be as one of the successful programme of the organization since its inception.
Continuing Education Centre has been established at different population pockets of
Karimganj district. The value based education has been imparted to the neo literates and it has
also providing employment to the educated youth especially from rural areas. One Project
Coordinator is associated with each Centre. During the year 2011-12 a total number of 380
neo literates attended in these centres.
xiii) Training & Support project for rural women:
Almost half of the population in India are women. Rural women are working domestic
activities especially at home which are not counted as economic activity in reality. Women are
working in the home and in informal sector with no legislative protection and with worst
condition of working. The condition of women is very deplorable as because they are not
economically empowered and hence they are not decision maker in their family as well as in
the community. To empower women especially for economic empowerment the programme
for Training and Support for rural women was initiated during the year 2003-04. This
programme is gaining popularity in the entire district especially among women. Basically, the
programme advocates the objectives of extending training for up gradation of skill and
sustainable employment for women through a variety of action oriented programme viz;
animal husbandry, dairying, fishery etc. for economic development. The rural women in the
identified area are motivated to engage themselves in the economic activity. In the first phase,
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BPL beneficiaries are being identified. In the second phase, motivation and mobilization of
women to form groups (SHGs) has been undertaken. In the third phase, training on the
identified sectors such as dairy and animal husbandry has been imparted to the beneficiaries.
In the fourth phase, orientation and credit linkages have been provided. The fourth phase also
includes building up a marketing link to sell livestock and provide related supports on
marketing. At the time of reporting, there were 375 women (in 37 SHGs) at 15 villages of
different development Blocks in Karimganj district.
xiv) Leadership Development of Women in the Minority Areas:
A total number of 30 minority concentrated backward and deprived villages located in
three districts of Barak Valley regions viz; Cachar, Hailakandi and Karimganj have been
selected for the project. Ten villages have been selected from each of these three districts.
These areas are the most under served and deprived area in the country. The overall socio-
economic, educational and health and hygienic condition of all the 30 selected villages are
almost identical. The objective of this project in the minority areas is to empower and instil
confidence in women, by providing knowledge, tools and techniques for interacting with
government systems, banks, and intermediaries at all levels. The project envisaged women
empowerment through leadership development training so that women are emboldened to
move out of the confines of home and community and assume leadership roles and assert their
rights, collectively and individually, in accessing services, facilities, skills and opportunities
besides claiming their due share of development benefits for improving their lives and living
conditions. The personnel of the organization implemented the project by visiting the villages
periodically for providing nurturing and handholding service to the group of women. The
organization already has identifiable presence in the proposed villages through women action
networks, gender budgeting programmes and followed up cases under Domestic Violence
Act. The organization has also linkage with village level Community Based Organization
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(CBOs) in the project area. These linkages will be intensified and enhanced for effective and
sustained implementation of the Project.
xv) Craft Training Centre for Minorities:
The craft-training centre has been started in 2008-09 at Nilambazar in Karimganj
district to provide training to Schedule Caste girls from the rural areas of Karimganj district
for employment generation. The programme is still continuing and it is gaining popularity.
Table 5.10: Craft Training for Minorities given by Wodwichee for Women Beneficiaries in Hailakandi District during 2009 - 12
Year No. of women trained No. of trainees placed No. of trainees self employed
2009-10 50 27 19
2010-11 50 21 17
2011-12 50 19 15 Source: Compiled from Annual Report 2011-12, Wodwichee
Tailoring, embroidery and other relevant cloth and bamboo based crafts have found to
be very useful and practical source of income generation for the rural and unemployed girls.
Wodwichee has been offering training in Hailakandi district for last few years and developed
skill and helped find works for the OBC trainees. The craft-training centre has been
functioning with grant-in-aid from the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment since
2001 at Hailakandi. Table 5.10 gives the picture of women beneficiaries and their placement
opportunities.
Since 2007-08 WACDO has also been running a vocational training centre on Craft
for OBCs to enhance the employment opportunities among the SC and OBCs women and
girls. During the year a total of 57 girls have been admitted in this centre and they have
completed their course successfully. Moreover like the year 2007-2008 during the year
WACDO provided the financial assistance to the trainees @ Rs. 500.00 to the candidates who
belong to BPL families to start their business individually.
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xvi) Rajib Gandhi National Crèche:
Roghurtook club and library has been running five crèche programmes in different
location of Karimganj district viz; Uttar Keuty, Tikorpara, Roghurtook, Nayagram, and Dubri
respectively. Karimganj district has a large number of tea garden and working women are
mostly the tea leave puckers in the tea garden. The working women need support in terms of
safe and quality care for their young children while they are at work; so Roghurtook Club and
Library is providing the services to these sorts of women who are in need of these services. At
the time of reporting the organization is providing services to 125 children of working
women; among the children 72 are boys and 53 are girls. These children are provided with
nutritional supplements, health aids, pre-school education support etc.
In 2006, Nivedita Nari Sangstha also started four numbers of creche centre for BPL
children at rural and urban areas at Silchar town. They have got sanctioned from CSWB under
Rajib Gandhi crèche scheme. Total 540 children are benefited from the programme. The
organisation provides pre-school education, nutrition, health, immunisation, mid-day meal,
etc. It also gives education and healthcare to the working mother of the children.
xvii) Multi facility Care centre for aged widowed women:
Roghurtook Club and Library started the Multi Facility Care Centre at Settlement Road in
Karimganj district on 1st April, 2008 to improve the quality of life of destitute elderly widow
women. Initially the home was started with 40 destitute elderly widowed women but, the number
has increased and now it has accommodated 50 elderly widowed women. The organization is
providing the basic needs of elderly widowed women like food, shelter and health care. During the
year 2011-12 the organization restored seven elderly widowed women to their individual family
and also it has admitted seven elderly widowed women who are neglected by their families these
elderly widowed women are provided with basic services like shelter, food, entertainment and
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healthcare. In addition to providing shelter and care to the inmates, training in income generating
activities has been undertaken by the organization to encourage active and productive ageing.
xviii) Health Sub Centre:
To create awareness among the women for their reproductive health, Nivedita Nari
Sangstha organised many health check up camps throughout the year. The objective of this health
programme is to create awareness and motivation amongst the women especially in the
reproductive age group to know, decide and plan their families so as to have a healthy and
reproductive life. The organisation arranged regular group discussion among the community
people to complete full courses of immunization for their children. Children were taken for five
times for immunization in the first year.
Table 5.11: Health Sub Centre given by Nivedita Nari Sangstha during 2001 04
Year Area of operation Total no. of beneficiaries Treatment
2001-2002 Rural & Urban 1500 Maternity and child health
2002-2003 1680 Iron, Digene
2003-2004 1800 Paracetamol, Betonin etc.
Source: Compiled from Annual Report 2002-03-04, Nivedita Nari Sangstha
xix) Mother and Child Health Programme (MCH):
In 2002, Nivedita Nari Sangstha started MCH programme in different slum areas of
Silchar town to educate and aware women for their health and nutrition status. Regular
meeting and discussions are being held on health for pregnant women and nursing mother. In
the year 2001, three days orientation training programme for field staffs was organized in
collaboration with voluntary health Association of Assam. To implement the programme, 25
members of the NGO were trained. The training included lecture sessions, interactive
sessions, role play, poster making etc.
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Table 5.12: Mother and Child Health Programme given by Nivedita Nari Sangstha during 2001 04 Year Area of operation Total Number of beneficiaries
2001-2002 Rural & Urban 105
2002-2003 120
2003-2004 130
Source: Compiled from Annual Report 2002-03-04, Nivedita Nari Sangstha
xx) Self Employment Programme:
Nivedita Nari Sangstha along with the help of Block development authority and
DRDA are organising awareness camp to change the economical status of women through self
help group. They organised orientation training with the help of DRDA by providing technical
support to form self help groups. With the help of jute diversification of India the organisation
arranged orientation training among 30 women by providing financial assistance in both cash
and kinds to help the women.
Table 5.13: Self Employment Programme of Nivedita Nari Sangstha during 2001-2004
Year Name of Programme Area Total no. of beneficiaries
2001-2002 Tailoring Urban (28 Municipal Ward) 11
2002-2003 Jute Urban & Slum 30
2003-2004 Tailor & Utley 15
Source: Compiled from Annual Report 2002-03-04, Nivedita Nari Sangstha
xxi) Anganwadi Workers Training Centre
Anganwadi Workers Training has been a long pending demand at Barak Valley. It is a
women and child development programme under the Ministry of Human Resource
Development. In the year 1975, Govt. of India has started Integrated Child Development
Scheme (ICDS) programme in different blocks and GP level. The main objective of this
programme is to implement all round development programmes of women and child through
ICDS projects. Previously the Anganwadi Workers were facing various problems to go for
training at different places of Assam. Nivedita Nari Sangstha, a women organisation has taken
164
the initiative to start a Anganwadi workers training centre at Cachar. From 2003 to 2013 the
organisation has completed 52 job training course and 1944 workers coming from different
ICDS projects of Cachar like Silchar ICDS project, Narsingpur ICDS project, Sonai ICDS
project, Palonghat ICDS project, Udharbond ICDS project, Barjalenga ICDS project were
trained. The duration of this job course is 30 days. From 2005 to 2013, the organisation has
completed 25 batches of seven days refresher training course of helpers. They have trained
total 1141 Anganwadi helpers from different ICDS of Cachar district. From 2006 to 2013,
they have completed seven days Refresher training course of Anganwadi workers. Total 15
batches have completed during this time and total 736 Anganwadi workers have attended the
refresher training course from different ICDS projects of Cachar district. During 2012-2013,
they have completed nine batches for job training course. Total 280 new recruited Anganwadi
workers of Silchar ICDS are trained by this NGO till now. During this 30 days training
programme they are trained about supplementary nutrition, health and hygiene, non formal
preschool education, (heath check up, immunization, physical and motor development)
community growth chart, growth monitoring, community participation, early childhood care
and protection management of records, non formal education etc. They also trained them how
to organize preschool activities by charts, papers and pens, picture cards, singing, dancing,
story telling etc. all according to their syllabus.
xxii) Safe Custody of Victim Girls
Nivedita Nari Sangstha has come forward voluntarily to help the administration and
court by keeping the victim women and girls at their NGO campus with all logistic supports
provided by the organisation. Since 2011, total 29 victim girls rescued by the police are
provided temporary shelter at their NGO campus with order from court.
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Three real life stories as case studies have been considered in the following to show
the implementation of different government schemes in Barak Valley. These beneficiaries
were interviewed where they described how their lives have changed.
Case Study: A Beneficiary of Swadhar Home in Hailakandi District
Ayarun Nessa, a 25 years old woman belongs to Dholcherra village in Hailakandi. She was
married to Samsul Haque Ali and stayed together for about five years. Samsul was a daily wage
labourer but he did not go to work regularly. This led his family to take meal only once a day.
Her life became more miserable when her husband started to drink every day and after that beat
her. With all the difficulties she was able to deliver her second child two years back. But the
nightmare of her life appeared one year back when she w
children and after returning back she heard that her husband left the place after selling their
house. At that time she felt in trauma. Seeing the difficulties of her life some well-wishers
brought her to Swadhar shelter home at Hailakandi and she along with her two children started
to recover from the trauma. She had never been to any school, but now she has learned to write
her name at the shelter home. She is now getting trained for livelihood generation with a
purpose to live an independent life. She has got a new direction of her life now.
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Case Study: A Beneficiary of Short Stay Home in Hailakandi District
Case Study: A Beneficiary of Short Stay Home in Hailakandi District
Short Stay Home at Hailakandi District: Case Study
Jalftun Nessa Barbhuiya, age 35, mother of
three children belongs to Ujankhupa part II,
Hailakandi. She is a victim of family mal-
adjustment. She was brought to Wodwichee in
2004 and stayed there till 2007. During her
short stay she had learned tailoring from
Wodwichee and also got a tailoring machine
after the training. In 2007 she was rehabilitated
to her family by Wodwichee. Now she has
become a tailor instructor for Wodwichee with
fixed monthly salary of Rs. 3500/- and trains the
victims of society.
Old Age Home at Hailakandi District: Case Study
Basanti Roy, age 77, a widow who has one son and four
daughters used to live in urban area of Hailakandi with
her family. Her husband sold all their properties and died.
All her daughters got married. She does not have any idea
of her son. She has been brought to this old age home two
years back. At this age even if her family is not with her,
she is now happy that she has more people to take care of
her.
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xxiii) Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme in Barak Valley:
The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) was notified
on September 7, 2005. The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act
(hereafter MGNREGA) is a law whereby any adult who applies for employment in rural areas has to
be given work on local public works within 15 days. If employment is not given, an unemployment
allowance has to be paid. The employment guarantee is subjected to a limit of 100 days per
household per year. The main objective of MNREGA is to protect rural households from poverty
and hunger. It can also serve other objectives viz; generating productive assets, protecting the
environment, empowering women, reducing rural urban migration and fostering social equity
among others. Thus MGNREGA is not just an employment scheme but it is also a tool of
economic and social change in rural areas.
MNREGA has also been implemented in all these three districts of Barak Valley. The
district-wise status of this MNREGA scheme for women is discussed in the following. Table
5.14 shows the status of MNREGA scheme in Cachar district. It is observed that women are
engaged mostly in rural connectivity compared to other types of work. Apart from this they
are also employed in irrigation cannels, water conservation and harvesting, renovation of
traditional water bodies, drought proofing, flood control and land development. But in all
-13 is lower than the previous two years. Women
employed in rural connectivity as well as in other categories of work are also surprisingly
decreasing in 2012-13. The average working day per woman is different for different types of
work. The average working day is higher in flood control than that of rural connectivity (Fig.
5.8). The average salary per woman has increased over the time period. Though, it is
significantly observed that women are getting 100 days work in none of work categories.
168
Table 5.14: Status of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme
in Cachar District
Work Category Year
Women
Employed
Person
days (in
lakh)
Amount earned
during current
financial year
(in Lakhs)
Avg
Working
Days /
Women
Avg Daily
Salary /
Women
Rural
Connectivity
2012-13 1650 0.25888 35.19982 15.69 135.97
2011-12 5416 0.92833 120.5533 17.14 129.86
2010-11 4446 0.74196 75.5199 16.69 101.78
Water
Conservation
And Water
Harvesting
2012-13 359 0.05787 7.87032 16.12 136
2011-12 577 0.08236 10.663 14.27 129.47
2010-11 593 0.10078 10.5517 16.99 104.7
Renovation of
Traditional
Water Bodies
2012-13 207 0.03657 4.9734 17.67 136
2011-12 332 0.02626 3.4138 7.91 130
2010-11 723 0.10526 10.8919 14.56 103.48
Flood Control
2012-13 226 0.03483 4.73688 15.41 136
2011-12 582 0.11571 15.0042 19.88 129.67
2010-11 510 0.10561 10.6857 20.71 101.18
Drought
Proofing
2012-13 196 0.02959 4.0234 15.1 135.97
2011-12 430 0.07101 9.1905 16.51 129.43
2010-11 361 0.05602 5.471 15.52 97.66
Irrigation
Canals
2012-13 857 0.12837 17.45832 14.98 136
2011-12 1393 0.18992 24.6686 13.63 129.89
2010-11 1791 0.24325 25.056 13.58 103.01
Irrigation
Facilities To
SC/ST/IAY/LR
2012-13 0 0 0 0 0
2011-12 22 0.00254 0.3302 11.55 130
2010-11 12 0.00153 0.153 12.75 100
Land
Development
2012-13 140 0.02645 3.5972 18.89 136
2011-12 384 0.06183 8.0295 16.1 129.86
2010-11 270 0.038 3.9718 14.07 104.52
Grand Total
2012-13 3635 0.57256 77.85934 15.75 135.98
2011-12 9136 1.47796 191.8531 16.18 129.81
2010-11 8706 1.39241 142.301 15.99 102.2
Source: Compiled from data collected from www.nrega.nic.in
169
In case of Karimganj district, the situation is different compared to Cachar district.
Due to non-availability of data Table 5.15 shows the status only from 2011-13. From this
Table it is observed that women are mostly employed in rural connectivity. In other type of
work, employed women and person days are almost negligible.
170
It is also noticed that number of employed women in rural connectivity as well as for
total categories has significantly decreased in 2012 13 compared to previous year. Though
the number of employed women in flood control is very small but the average working day
per women in this category of work is very high in 2011 12 compared to other category of
work (Fig. 5.9). But, still the picture is same as like Cachar district in terms of getting 100
days employment.
Table 5.15: Status of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme
in Karimganj District
Work Category Year Women
Employed
Person days (in
lakh)
Amount earned during current
financial year(in Lakhs)
Avg Working Days / Women
Avg Daily
Salary/ Women
Rural Connectivity
2012-13 1010 0.13579 18.2191 13.44 134.17
2011-12 3174 0.46288 60.0772 14.58 129.79
Water Conservation And Water Harvesting
2012-13 0 0 0 0 0 2011-12 20 0.00541 0.7033 27.05 130
Renovation of Traditional Water
Bodies 2012-13 4 0.0006 0.0816 15 136 2011-12 53 0.00846 1.0998 15.96 130
Flood Control
2012-13 13 0.00069 0.09114 5.31 132.09
2011-12 60 0.01475 1.9175 24.58 130
Drought Proofing
2012-13 0 0 0 0 0
2011-12 53 0.00535 0.6955 10.09 130
Irrigation Canals
2012-13 34 0.00346 0.46804 10.18 135.27
2011-12 146 0.0131 1.703 8.97 130
Land Development
2012-13 21 0.0021 0.282 10 134.29
2011-12 60 0.00884 1.1492 14.73 130
Bharat Nirman Rajeev Gandhi Sewa Kendra
2012-13 3 0.0003 0.03936 10 131.2 2011-12 1 0.00006 0.0078 6 130
Other Works
2012-13 0 0 0 0 0
2011-12 91 0.01016 1.3208 11.16 130
Grand Total
2012-13 1085 0.14294 19.18124 13.17 134.19
2011-12 3567 0.51885 67.3533 14.55 129.81
Source: Compiled from data collected from www.nrega.nic.in
171
The status of MNREGA scheme for women is observed from the following Table 5.16.
Table 5.16: Status of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme
in Hailakandi District
Work Category Year
Women Employed
Person days (in
lakh)
Amount earned during current financial year
(in Lakhs)
Avg Working Days /
Women
Avg Daily Salary/ Women
Rural Connectivity
2012-13 1650 0.25888 35.19982 15.69 135.97 2011-12 10368 1.72401 224.0862 16.63 129.98 2010-11 11973 2.1894 225.9702 18.29 103.21
Water Conservation And Water Harvesting
2012-13 359 0.05787 7.87032 16.12 136 2011-12 1310 0.14919 19.3947 11.39 130
2010-11 1443 0.18787 19.0636 13.02 101.47 Renovation of
Traditional Water Bodies
2012-13 207 0.03657 4.9734 17.67 136 2011-12 35 0.00415 0.5395 11.86 130 2010-11 82 0.00738 0.738 11.9 100
Flood Control
2012-13 226 0.03483 4.73688 15.41 136 2011-12 449 0.0522 6.786 11.63 130 2010-11 327 0.03748 3.8662 11.46 103.15
Drought Proofing
2012-13 196 0.02959 4.0234 15.1 135.97 2011-12 69 0.00775 1.0075 11.23 130
2010-11 0 0 0 0 0
Irrigation Canals
2012-13 857 0.12837 17.45832 14.98 136 2011-12 6 0.00042 0.0546 7 130 2010-11 26 0.0023 0.266 8.85 115.65
Land Development
2012-13 140 0.02645 3.5972 18.89 136 2011-12 189 0.02568 3.3384 13.59 130 2010-11 35 0.00457 0.484 13.06 105.91
Bharat Nirman Rajeev Gandhi Sewa Kendra
2012-13 0 0 0 0 0 2011-12 0 0 0 0 0
2010-11 11 0.00165 0.165 15 100
Other Works 2012-13 0 0 0 0 0
2011-12 0 0 0 0 0 2010-11 4 0.00048 0.048 12 100
Grand Total
2012-13 3635 0.57256 77.85934 15.75 135.98 2011-12 12426 1.9634 255.2069 15.8 129.98 2010-11 13866 2.429 250.388 17.52 103.08
Source: Compiled from data collected from www.nrega.nic.in
172
In case of Hailakandi district, the women are employed mainly in rural connectivity,
water conservation and harvesting and flood control. Women employed in rural connectivity
as well as in other categories of work except irrigation work are also surprisingly decreasing
in 2012-13. It is significantly observed that women are getting 100 days work in none of work
categories like two other districts of Barak Valley (Fig. 5.10).