| Networking
with the Elected Women Representatives
Our
involvement with the local self governments started
with the close association with the decentralization
programmes initiated by the state government in Kerala
in 1996. This innovative process offered an opportunity
to mainstream gender in the political discourse in Kerala
and to build capacities of women who were elected to
represent people. The 73rd and 74th constitutional amendments
brought many women into the social and political realm.
We perceived this as our opportunity and responsibility,
to build the capacity of these women to critique the
ongoing development from a gender perspective and be
proactive to bring about a gender just society in whichever
party they belong to.
In
the beginning of 2008 we selected 9 Panchayats in Thiruvananthapuram
district. The idea was to help in the overall development
process of the Panchayats with emphasis on women's development.
The selected Panchayats were: Anad, Panavoor, Kuttichal,
Vellarada, Amboori, Kunnathukal, Kalliyoor, Kollayil
and Maranaloor.
At
the outset we made profiles of all the Panchayats as
well as a brief outline of the status of women. We had
collected data from police stations, PHCs, Ayurveda
hospitals, Schools, Anganwadis etc. of each Panchayat.
The Right to Information Act was a real help in collecting
data from government offices especially from police
stations.
Currently
we are helping these Panchayats to form and strengthen
the Jagratha Samithis (vigilance cells)as a community
response to address violence against women. This special
body is to be constituted in all Wards, Panchayats and
Districts under the guidance of State Women's Commission.
Several of our training efforts were directed to support
these process as it would lead to wider gender sensitization
of the community, especially of men.
Gender
budgets
We also
attemped to analyze the
state budget and conducted several consultations as
preparation for the forthcoming budget. They were named
as "What women want from Kerala Budget?" The
outcomes of these consultations was submitted tot eh
Finance minister and therewas appositive response. The
department and the planning board conducted agender
budget workshop for the officials
Strengthening
the civil society as a democratic participatory public
space
This
process was done along with the Governance work as now,
it is difficult to work at the community apart from
the Local government processes. All the process mentioned
above in all the 9 panchayats which means several villages
have contributed to strengthen the civil society and
ensure citizen participation
Programmes
completed |
