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Gramin Mahila Vikas Sangh, Latur

Gramin Mahila Vikas Sangh, Latur. Location of Marathwada Region. Marathwada Region. Comprises of the inland eastern districts in Maharashtra It accounts for 16.84% of the state's population and is home to nearly 30% of the state's Below Poverty Line families.

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Gramin Mahila Vikas Sangh, Latur

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  1. Gramin Mahila Vikas Sangh, Latur

  2. Location of Marathwada Region

  3. Marathwada Region • Comprises of the inland eastern districts in Maharashtra • It accounts for 16.84% of the state's population and is home to nearly 30% of the state's Below Poverty Line families. • Per capita GDP is Rs 10,373 -- a good 40 per cent below the state's per capita GDP of Rs 17,029 -- and contributes just 8% of the state's industrial output. • Literacy rate is the lowest in the state (51.23%, Census 2001). • All eight districts figure in the list of the 100 poorest districts in the country. • About 98% of agriculture is dry land farming and cotton is the major crop. • But the inherent susceptibility of cotton crop to pest and the vagaries of nature make its cultivation a risky affair, resulting in many a farmer falling prey to debt. • Perhaps, the most neglected region of Maharashtra (Source: http://www.empowerpoor.org/backgrounder.asp?report=19)

  4. Socio-Cultural Aspects • Feudal society - Patriarchy is still very strong in the region • Regressive social attitude towards women and depressed classes (Dalits).

  5. Socio-Cultural Aspects • One-fifth of Marathwada’s population is ‘dalit’- ‘lowest’ in the social strata, in a caste-ridden society • Dalits and women are marginalized both socially and economically • Estimated that over 85% of dalits work in the agricultural sector as wage labourers

  6. Personal Journey • Kushavarta Bele – Founder member of GMVS • Married at the age of 13 • Schooling discontinued • Life revolved around domestic chores and as a daily wage farm labourer to supplement the family income A desire to complete her school level education and learn more remained suppressed but alive within Kushavarta

  7. Personal Journey • Supported by a local schoolteacher, Kushavarta completed her high school braving several odds on the home front • Joined a local NGO and worked as a grassroots worker • Work involved travel and late hours - ill treatment meted out by her husband and in-laws

  8. Emerging as a Leader • Realised the need to address several issues affecting women/dalits at the local level • Work at the grassroots had resulted in reaching out to a large number of women / other community members. • Resolved local level problems on domestic violence / PDS cards and had the ability to approach Government officials / other NGO networks - developed a good rapport with the community • Local people approached her to start an organisation and initiate development activities in the villages of Deoni and Udgir blocks

  9. Establishing GMVS • Gramin Mahila Vikas Sanstha (GMVS) was established in 1996 by Kushavarta Bele • Objective of implementing locally relevant programmes with a primary focus on dalit and women’s issues • Kushvarta Bele with the support of a small team drawn from the community has gradually built the organisation • Recognised at the district level for its strong community presence • and the voice of dalit and marginalised women

  10. Main Activities • Promotion of Self Help Groups • Thrift and credit activities at the SHG level and developing linkages with Banks • Training workshops for livelihood activities – organic agriculture, animal husbandry and poultry • Mobilizing women to resolve cases of domestic violence through community level interventions/family counseling/legal aid • Supporting and managing ‘anganwadis’ (play schools)

  11. Coverage • Currently the operational area in Udgir and Deoni blocks covers about 100 villages • Promoted more than 500 Self Help Groups • Involvement of about 12,000 women in various activities • Accessed more than Rs. 40 M through different sources of credit to meet their production needs Support from different Government schemes, Paul Hamlyn Foundation and Development Support Team

  12. Working with the Community • Drawing women from within the community to work as ‘Community organisers / workers’ • Training and mentoring undertaken by Kushavarta Bele • Women leaders at the village level nurtured to act as first level contact within the community • Promotion of village level forums – Self Help Groups / other ad hoc women’s groups to solve burning issues (dowry death / domestic violence / water supply etc ) • Holding of Women’s Conventions at the block level • Counselling centres – legal aid / awareness on Government Schemes

  13. Empowering women Political participation of women through : • Training programmes on roles and responsibilities of Gram Panchayat members, importance of political participation of women and understanding welfare programmes are routed through the Gram Panchayat. • Encouraging women to engage in the Committees formed at the village level and address the needs of needy and poor women

  14. Empowering Women • Sensitization of community on gender imbalance particularly on son preference at birth / ill effects of female foeticide • Village level workshops for adolescent girls to create awareness regarding personal hygiene, nutrition and general health

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