Accessing Institutions: A Step Forward in Women’s Empowerment

Widening their sphere of influence, the women of Karanjia stake their claim to and participate in village institutions thereby throwing open the path to greater access to their rights and entitlements, increased awareness and ownership of the decisions affecting their lives

T he SHG members of Rasamtala took charge of monitoring the running of the girls’ residential school in their village. They found that neither was food given to children according to protocol nor was the quality of food good. They had complained to the School Management Committee but the matter was pushed under the carpet and no action was taken. The members then collected the data of proof for misconduct and registered an FIR in the police station and also informed the Block Development Officer and the District Collector. The headmaster of the school was replaced within 24 hours. Since then, the members regularly monitor the management of the school.

In Dumbi Sahi village, members of the Sarjamburu, Dinga Marshall and Gaonshree Chandiapat SHGs realized that their children were not getting proper attention because the village did not have any infrastructure for running the anganwadi centre, which was located in a verandah. The women discussed this issue in their SHG meetings and came up with the solution that they could approach the Upper Primary School in their village, which had some rooms to spare. They negotiated with the headmaster of the school, who agreed to allot one room for the anganwadi. The SHG members are now vigilant about the quality of food provided to the children of the anganwadi as well as the school.