International Women’s Day

(IWD) Report 2015

11519 benefitted from 99 health camps organized for 124 villages across 17

project locations. 25,552 people participated in International Women’s Day

from 335 villages across 24 project locations of 11 states

Basis

Reliance Foundation (RF) celebrated International Women’s

Day (IWD) on 8th of March as an event to bring women

together to speak, recognize their efforts and for the collective

happiness. The official United Nations theme for International

Women's Day 2015 was "Empowering Women - Empowering

Humanity: Picture It!” Reliance Foundation decided to

celebrate this year IWD on the theme ‘Health and Women’ as

good health is must for any form of empowerment. IWD was celebrated at numerous levels – Creating

awareness about health, health camps for check-up and consultations and various cultural programs

organised by VFAs

Objectives

Reflection of past experiences of women in development and seeking opportunities for

larger role for women in Village Farmers Association

Recognize the women achievers

Enhanced awareness about health and linkage with nutrition among women

Sharing the health status of the project area

Specific highlights

Health camps organized for women of all project villages in cluster such as Panna and Adoni to

took stock of health conditions of women in their project region.

VFAs of Jamai launched a scheme named “Apki beti Hamari Beti” for girl child where VFA will

reward the parents with 501 rupees for every girl child born in the village and will link the scheme to

“Sukanya Samriddhi” account in post office.

‘Amari Geet Mala’ (Collection of songs) is an energizer book

prepared and released by the women VFA members of Netrang

containing 22 songs on different themes such as Strength of

institution, motivational songs for women, awareness against

alcoholism, promotion of nutrition etc.

Government departments organized separate stalls

during IWD in Radhanpur, such as Mission Mangalam on

Capacity building, Police on Women Security, ICDS

department on Nutrition, and Primary health centre on

Women’s health emphasising the overall theme for the

event. Information sharing of the Government schemes,

process of availing and benefits with the participants.

Rally was organized in clusters at Jamai, Yavatmal and Rajam to demonstrate the power of women

and emphasized on women leaders such as Mother Teresa, Rani Laxmibai, and Savitri Phule, who

devoted their life for the society. Rally attracted lot of girl students to be part of the procession.

Mission Mangalam of Netrang put up stall showcasing the Warli and bamboo crafts as an opportunity

for alternate livelihood for women.

Series of Income Generation Activities and livelihood trainings conducted in VFAs of Gadag with

the support of women scientist from KVK enabling towards financial security.

General health camps organized for both male and female

members in Uttarkashi and also the doctors emphasized on

the physical exercise, yoga and cleanliness for better health.

Health camps organized for school children in Agar cluster.

Women representatives from 9 VFAs of Adoni cluster

participated for first time in an exposure visit to the thrift

cooperatives promoted by CDF and visited the Women’s Dairy promoted by the women’s thrift

cooperatives as part of increasing their motivation levels.

Women thrift groups and VFA representatives took the entire ownership of planning, organizing and

execution of the entire event in Seoni.

Women’s week celebrated in Sawai Madhopur by

organizing the series of health camps. Women thrift

groups played significant role in designing and

managing the event. Women Self Help Groups

shared the significance of savings and credit with the

audience. Strong winds and rain hampered the event

but the community showed their enthusiasm by quickly reorganizing the event at a new place.

Executive Committee members of VFA in Rajnandgaon conducted informal survey and discussion

with Anganwadi workers, school teachers, village nurse to identify the health issues of the villages.

VFA reps shared the findings with health departments at various level and organized health camps

for their villages.

Best practitioners for RNG and other

interventions recognized in majority of the

clusters. Recognition and rewards given to

households of Mandla to those of whom have

promoted education of their daughter in laws,

educating their daughters, and two oldest women

members of VFA regularly participating in VFA meetings.

Medical team in Karaikudi did awareness program on women health mainly focussing on anaemia

covering the symptoms, causes, effects and remedies. Emphasis on the consumption of vegetables and

clarified lot of queries that came from the community regarding nutrition intake and balance diet.

Women members from four villages expressed their interest to form Village Farmer Association after

IWD celebrations at Modasa.

Outcomes:

Women members became aware about their health status

Baseline Health & nutrition data maintained for women

Recognition of best practitioners and platform to share their experience

Increased ownership by women right from planning to execution of the event

Increased motivation for women members

Established Collaboration with numerous stakeholders especially government department

Way Forward:

Health camps for every member of all VFA of RF BIJ

Focus on nutrition and health of VFA members

Ensuring enhanced space provided for women especially at decision making level

Impressions:

“I was very happy to see a lady doctor as many of us will

not hesitate to discuss our health problems with her”

-Sulochana Devi, Rudraprayag

“I remember the first time, no women member was ready

to perform on stage and every one was going back, but see

them today, they are demanding to play more songs to

dance.”

-Dhoom Singh Rana, Rudraprayag

“Earlier we were not keen on our food but after formation of VFAs, Nutritional matters and its intake

has become a discussion point in our houses”

– Jhansi of M J Valasa VFA, Rajam

“It was life time opportunity for me discussing with district collector and other government officials

for inviting them for IWD”

- Sita ben of Motibhuwal VFA, Modasa

“Why have just a day dedicated to us when we have the power to make every day, our day!! I am

feeling more powerful and united after being part of the IWD”

- Leela Ben, Khanpar VFA, Jasdan

“I remember the first time when no women member was ready to perform on stage and everyone was

going back, but happy to sees them today demanding more games to play more games to play.”

– Rajkumari bai, Moyari, Jamai

“I thought we will playing sports during women's day celebration but surprisingly I was called to

come on stage and speak about the work. I was frightened seeing the huge gathering but I am happy

that I spoke what I wanted that too from my heart"

-Helen Marandi, Bhalpahari VFA, Deoghar

KEY STATS:

Number of clusters celebrating IWD: 24

Total number of participation: 25,552

Number of clusters organized Health camps: 17

Number of health camps: 99

Number of villages benefitted: 124

Total number of people benefited: 11,519

Note:

Clusters celebrated IWD and health camps

Clusters celebrated IWD

Clusters yet to celebrate IWD

S.No Cluster

Number of

Health camps Number of Village Number of Beneficiaries

Number of

Village

Number of

participant

1 Jamai 10 10 860 9 6285

2 Sendhwa

3 Bidar 23 550

4 Mandla 27 1017

5 Rajnandgaon 3 3 532 3 610

6 Jasdan 12 12 1500 14 1500

7 Agar 10 10 1264 1 68

8 Sawai Madhopur 7 7 700 18 750

9 Rudrayaprayag 5 5 199 15 645

10 Adoni 9 9 1140 9 1140

11 Balangir

12 Kamareddy 4 4 336 3 248

13 Karaikudi 4 5 352 5 632

14 Rajam 1 5 230 14 595

15 Gangakhed 23 1025

16 Uttarkashi 5 5 384 5 385

17 Deoghar 3 3 177 18 1502

18 Modasa 6 12 600 16 1450

19 Netrang 2 2 122 15 857

20 Seoni 28 2600

21 Banswara 11 756

22 Panna 9 11 554 5 350

23 Radhanpur 13 422

24 Yavatmal 25 500

25 Gadag 8 8 2400 10 700

26 Jamwa Ramgarh 1 13 169 25 965

Total 99 124 11519 335 25552

IWD 2015 IWD celebrationHealth Camps

SNAPSHOT FROM CLUSTERS

Yavatmal, Maharashtra

Rally organized for creating awareness Speech focussing on the women and health rights

Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand

Health camps organized at VFA level

Seoni, Madhya Pradesh

Recognition of women member Folk songs and dance performance

Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan

Women enjoying the local games Health camps organized

Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand

Experience sharing and dance programs

Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh

Health camps organized in collaboration with Government Health departments

Rajam, Andhra Pradesh

Health camp covering aged woman also VFA REPS sharing their experiences

Radhanpur, Gujarat

Stall organized by Police department Women taking the opportunity to speak up

about Women Security

Panna, Madhya Pradesh

Recognition of Best Practioners – RNG Health Check-up, Consultation and Treatment

Netrang, Gujarat

‘Amari Geet Mala’ book prepared and released Tribal dance performance by women

Modasa, Gujarat

Skit performed by VFA members Health camp

Mandla, Madhya Pradesh

Huge participation of Women Rally during the IWD

Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu

Health camp organized and doctors also conducted street play on Health

Kamareddy, Telangana

Moment of happiness Health camp

Jasdan, Gujarat

Women celebrating with colour GVK EMRI Women helpline addressing the awareness

Jamwa Ramgarh, Rajasthan

Colourful celebration of International Women’s Day

Jamai, Madhya Pradesh

Rally organized for creating awareness Women members enjoying Kabbadi

Gangakhed, Maharashtra

Women along with their demo RNG model Health camp organized

Gadag, Karnataka

Health camps organized Training organized on Income Generation Activities

Deoghar, Jharkhand

Proud VFA member anchoring the event Nutritional attire showcasing the

importance of vegetables consumption

Bidar, Karnataka

Celebration of International Women’s Day

Banswara, Rajasthan

Sports, fun, celebration and happiness as part of IWD

Agar, Madhya Pradesh

Every health camp beneficiary got their health cards Health camp for school children

Adoni, Andhra Pradesh

Women with their health cards Exposure visit of women representatives from VFAs

to milk dairy established by Women’s Cooperative