Results of a mapping exercise in Dewas, Madhya Pradesh 27 participants: 17 women, 10 men farming,...
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Transcript of Results of a mapping exercise in Dewas, Madhya Pradesh 27 participants: 17 women, 10 men farming,...
Results of a mapping exercise in Dewas, Madhya Pradesh
• 27 participants: 17 women, 10 men
• farming, breeding cattle and working as labourers;
• most of them were marginal farmers;
• the majority was illiterate
Observations by Parag
• Women must use a veil to cover their faces
• Women are not allowed to go outside the village without the companion of a male member of the family.
• The women are supposed to only work at home or in the village.
• These restrictions limit women to gain an income.
• Women’s work is less valued in the market.
Another mapping in Sajapur District
• 20 women• Marginal farmers with
2-3 acres of land• Main income:
agriculture, dairy and day labour
Observations and remarks by the women I
• The women felt that the list with their activities was much longer than the men’s
• They commented that men have got time to rest during their work, but women work continuously;
• The division of tasks was decided by society. • Most of the work done by women was limited to their home or
village; women were not allowed to go outside the village without the company of a family member.
• It was an eye opener to see the significant contribution of women to the family economy indirectly.
Observations and remarks by the women II
• All the resources were owned by the male members of the family, women owned nothing.
• The women pointed out that they used a veil or mouth cover because that was the social norm.
• Women do not participate in any institution. ´Who would listen to us, who would give us justice?´
Decision making and financial control
• Major role for the male members of the family.
• Most women had no access to the market and most of the agri-produce was marketed by male members of the family.
• Participants told that they sometimes felt that they were like the cow of their home and had no freedom.
Participants gave the following options for change
• There is a huge need to enhance women’s ownership in family resources
• Need to enhance women’s participation in different societal institutions
• Need to generate awareness and sensitivity towards gender issues with men and women
• To enhance the percentage of educated people, especially women.• To make women aware of different women’s rights and entitlements • We need to come together and help each other in critical conditions.