MY ANANDA EXPERIENCE: Sherly Mathews, India Country Director

Ananda Projects

2. Women Empowerment Project in Thiruvallur District of Tamil Nadu

In 2005 Ananda Foundation joined hands with Integrated Rural Development Institute (IWDI) to train women on the Panchayat Raj Act. This project was formulated to increase participation of women in local self-governments.

The Panchayat Raj Act came into effect in 1993 through the 73rd constitutional amendment. Powers of local self-governments have increased tremendously. In this form of governance, the Gram Sabha (made up of all the villagers) is the legislative body and the Gram Panchayat (a body of ten elected members) the executive body. All major village decisions are made in the quarterly Grama Sabha meetings. Another important feature of this act is the 1/3 reservation for women.

Two Panchayat elections in Tamil Nadu (in 1994 and 2001) brought many women in power through reserved seats. But, the problem was their participation in governance because many of them were puppets in the hands of their husbands or other powerful men. Lack of orientation and training on Panchayat raj and village governance created the situation.

This project was promoted with the strong belief that active participation of women in Local self-governments will enhance their political status and their contributions for the social and economic development of the villages would be productive.

There are 12,618 villages in Tamil Nadu spread over 29 districts and 385 blocks. IWDI chose Gummidipoondi block in Thiruvallur district with 22 village Panchayats where they had roots through women self-help groups. The training was given to 160 members of 80 self-help groups. The Panchayat Raj system, functions, resources and administrative powers were taught. The expected results are dissemination of information to the wider community, increase in the number of elected women members in the Grama panchayats and efficient delivery of duties by them after the next election.

After satisfactory performance in the first project, IWDI continues its partnership with Ananda Foundation on a project for therehabilitation of former child laborers through school enrollment campaigns and supplementary learning centers.