WOMEN EMPOWERMENT
Women’s
empowerment
www.ammachilabs.org | 2017
COMMUNITY SANITATION THROUGH DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION PROJECT (UDF-15-IND-667)
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WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT
Amrita University is a multi-campus, multi-disciplinary research university that is accredited ‘A’ by NAAC and is ranked as one of the best research universities in India. The university is spread across five campuses in three states of India - Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, with the University headquarters at Ettimadai, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.
AMMACHI Labs is an academic and research center at Amrita University that brings an interdisciplinary approach to addressing societal challenges. We envision a world where technology is designed and used to empower people. We create innovative educational tools and skill development solutions to help uplift entire communities. We are as excited about community outreach solutions as we are about our focused research and development for Computer-Human Interactions (CHI), robotics and automation, haptic technologies, and applied robotics. Through the use of CHI technology, AMMACHI Labs aims to augment skill development, life enrichment education, healthcare, disaster risk reduction, and much more. We began in 2009 as a small research lab located on the beautiful Amritapuri campus of Amrita University in Kerala, India. Today, our team consists of over 100 people from all over the world working towards the common vision of bettering society through technological innovation. We are a diverse and talented family. Our team members come from many countries, backgrounds and professions to make AMMACHI Labs a unique place. As part of Amrita University, AMMACHI Labs stands out as a cutting edge research facility and social outreach platform. Our parent NGO, Embracing the World, is a global network of regional humanitarian organizations inspired by the India-based humanitarian initiatives of the Mata Amritanandamayi Math.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION
PROJECT GOALS AND OUTCOMES PROJECT BENEFICIARIES
2. PROJECT ACTIVITIES
OUTCOMES AND ACTIVITIES
3. RESEARCH 4. FUTURE PLAN 5. APPENDIX: PHOTOS
WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT
INTRODUCTION The Women Empowerment: Community Sanitation through Democratic Participation (WE:CSDP) project (UDF-15-IND-667) was launched in February 2017 by Amrita University’s AMMACHI Labs. It is a two year, pan-India initiative jointly funded with the United Nations Democracy Fund. It aims to address the issues of inadequate community sanitation, women’s health, and water management in rural India through improving democratic representation of women in local governance. The project targets 21 villages in India, and aims to empower at least 5,000 women in rural Indian communities to champion sanitation and community development, eventually reaching their entire village, or 30,000 indirect beneficiaries. Participating women will receive continuous life skill training, will conduct sanitation campaigns, and will organize and mobilize efforts to implement key community actions to access government programs, such as the Swacch Bharat Mission, that specifically promotes sanitation. This community mobilization and training effort is designed to efficiently reach entire communities in a short amount of time. It will also provide strength and support to the women advocating and petitioning to their local governments to address social and environmental issues in their villages. It is in line with the Government of India’s commitment to improving sanitation and rural development, as well as the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Since the launch of the project in February, we have accomplished a number of objectives. After setting up centers in each of the villages and selecting Community Organizers (COs), we held a Train the Trainer event at the university headquarters in Amritapuri where women from all over India got the chance to learn about their role in the project, and get to know each other and share their incredible stories. Since then, the CO’s have engaged over 20 SHGs, held dozens of Community Awareness Events, and have started to meet with local government, becoming real community leaders. The COs and SHGs have launched their community sanitation campaign and have begun a process of social change. As these women continue to empower themselves and others, we hope to see a chain reaction that will lead to stronger, more resilient communities where women are able to lead the way to sustainable development.
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OUTCOMES OF THE WE:CSDP PROJECT Challenges Addressed by the Project:
Gender Inequality and Empowerment
Inadequate democratic engagement around sanitation
Absence of project sustainability through socio-democratic development.
The overall development goal of the WE:CSDP project is women’s empowerment and improved sanitation through advancing women’s political participation, leadership, economic & social development. The project will address three major social problems hindering the democratic process in the targeted villages:
Project Goals and Outcomes:
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Project Beneficiaries
The WE:CSDP project aims to empower at least 5,000 women in rural Indian communities and indirectly benefit 30,000 beneficiaries, as follows:
No.
Role
Criteria
21
Community Organizers
Selected based on leadership skills and enthusiasm
300
Champions
Chosen with the help of COs and local interest. Under current SHG regulations, group sizes can range from 10-20 women
5000
Change Agents
Open Defection Free Campaign participants (1 woman per household). Enlisted by ASHGs through outreach and door-to-door
30,000
Indirect Beneficiaries
Total population of the 21 villages (between 500-2,000 residents in each village)
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WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT
PROJECT ACTIVITIES Outcomes and Activities Outputs for Outcome 1:
Increased women’s individual capabilities and awareness on sanitation and personal development
Output 1.1
TTT workshops for 42 women COs (Q1 & Q4) 2 weeks
1 event successfully completed
Output 1.2
Delivery of Computerized Life-Skills/Life Enrichment Education (c-LEE) to Champions and Change Agents
269 SHG members plus 648 women participated in 21 Villages
Output 1.1 TTT workshop at Amrita University, Amritapuri - February 2017
The TTT was held from February 18th to March 1st at Amrita University. A total of 48 people from 17 villages participated in the 12 days of training (43 women and 5 men). Refresher and continued training will be conducted in the villages during the subsequent village visits made by project staff. The TTT covered around 30 major topics, that ranged from how to form self-help groups, run a community advocacy campaign around sanitation, and facilitate awareness sessions using Amrita University’s tablet based, life skills education. The training included various topics with a special focus on sanitation and community health, financial literacy, legal aids, and the Right to Information Act. The trainees learned the correct vocabulary, the environmental and social effects of open defecation, and strategies for enacting change within their communities. Generally, the morning sessions included discussion, activities, and group work; and the afternoons consisted of peer-to-peer learning, during which a group of COs led various sessions to instruct the rest of the class. These sessions were very successful, and created feelings of group adhesion and camaraderie among the trainees.
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TTT Experiences “Every woman should come out of her home and be more involved in our project works. Women must come out of their Purdah (veil). Only then will we know our rights.” -Renu Singh from Hadiabad, Bihar
During the Train-The-Trainer session, Renu Singh took a bold step and removed her traditional Purdah (veil). The sessions with the other women gave her the courage to do so.
“According to me, Champions of Change are the ones responsible for the development of the village. Our society is a male dominated one. It is time for women to come forward.” -Suchita from Dunda, Uttarakhand
When I return to my village, I will gather a group of women who want to make a change and participate. And I will make them aware of their rights.“ -Jyothi from Ukhimath, Uttarakhand
“Everything in my village is good apart from cleanliness, which I will go back and focus on.” -Surekha from Malakpan, Goa
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“If we become champions of change anywhere , first we create a group and make everyone aware about what needs to be done.” -Urmila from Guptapada, Odisha
“First of all I have understood how to go back and create a SHG as a CO, how to talk” -Anjana from Dunda, uttarakhand
“Earlier people used to defecate in the open, so everyone used to face difficulties. The problem is not solved. But It is better now.” -Mausam Devi, Ratanpur, Bihar
CHAMPIONS OF
CHANGE WE:CSDP
WOMEN EMPOWERMENT: COMMUNITY SANITATION THROUGH DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION CENTER FOR WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT& GENDER EQUALITY
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Output 1.1 Computerized training as part of TTT
Output 1.2 Delivery of c-LEE, Byse, Karnataka
Output 1.2 c-LEE given to Champions and Change agents: Indhupur, Himachal Pradesh
Output 1.2 A community outreach program convened by the community organizer and AMMACHI Labs team in Karanji village, Chhattisgarh
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WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT Outputs for Outcome 2: Output 2.1
Increased women’s collective capabilities in sanitation and social development 13 Completed Ideal Village Activity & Vulnerability Mapping
Output 2.2
Community-Led ODF Campaign Initiatives mobilizing 5,000 women as Change Agents
9584 participants in from 28 villages (21 states)
Output 2.3
168 Life Skills Community Events by ASHGs (8 per village)
238 LEE events on a range of topics, focusing on sanitation, hygiene, women's health, and legal awareness including 46 Clean Up Drives led by women in SHGs.
Output 2.4
21 Advocacy Self-Help Groups formed by 300 women Champions (min one group per target village)
22 SHGs with 269 women participants
Output 2.1 Training for ideal village activity
Output 2.2 Inauguration ceremony of #WECSDP project in Nani Borwai, Gujarat
Output 2.4 Advocacy Self-Help Group Dr. Khera village, Lucknow
Output 2.3 Amala Bhatratham Campaign, Indpur village, Himachal Pradesh: Special vehicle to carry the waste
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THE COS AND ASHGS HAVE INITIATED SANITATION AWARENESS CAMPAIGNS, AND ARE STARTING TO CHAMPION OTHER CAUSES LIKE EDUCATING GIRLS, AND FIGHTING ALCOHOL ABUSE.
On March 8, International Women’s Day, Juna Katthiwada, Madhya Pradesh
The Community Organizers from Haryana have taken a sanitation oath as a commitment to transform their village Kanti into one of the cleanest villages in the state.
Ravi Kalantre, Zonal Lead meeting with the Juna Kathiwada (Madhya Pradesh) villagers. The villagers were given awareness on #RightToEducation and various government initiatives
Clean up
Kanti village, Haryana
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WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT Outputs for Outcome 3:
Increased women’s participation and stronger voice in sanitation policy making and community action
Output 3.1
Water quality management and monitoring by 21 ASHGs
Water testing completed in 18 villages and results reported to local government. This has prompted clean water initiatives in many places.
Output 3.2
Two Government-ASHG meeting (1 per milestone)
68 documented meetings initiated by the women in SHGs trained by us, with local government to promote village sanitation and to secure scheme benefits
Output 3.3
National Development Workshop for ASHGs
Output 3.4
ASHGs Community Action Proposal to Policy Brief on Policy Recommendations
Drinking water testing as part of Community Awareness Program in Andhra Pradesh
Scheduled for Spring, 2018
Women from Indpur village, Himachal Pradesh meeting with Development Officer and other Gov. officials
Women from Chandrapuri and Mathkhani villages in Uttarakhand meeting with Grama Pradhan (Village Head) with a petition for adequate supply of water and and installing a water tank in their villages.
SHG members from Malcopon village in Goa meeting with Officers from District Rural Development Agency and National Rural Livelihood Mission
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Community Organiser from Kanti village, Haryana. meeting the Kanti Sarpanch to discuss water and sanitation issues.
WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT
TOTAL SANITATION WORK BY AMMACHI LABS
188 Women have been trained in toilet building 235 toilets(16 villages, 13 states) built by these women, with another 200+ planned to be done by October (21 villages, 21 states). Approximately 2000 Toilets built by government in these villages after we started working 132 LEE events with 5100 participants in 28 villages (21 states) 220 women trained in soap making and spreading sanitation awareness
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Number of organic farms 30+ (20 in Tamil Nadu, 1 in Haryana, 5 in Bihar, 2 in Gujarat, 5 in Karnataka) Number of household kitchen gardens 500+ Number of trees planted: 4000+ saplings and 1000+ seed balls These activities were coordinated by Amrita SeRVe, as part of the larger village adoption project of our parent organization M. A. Math
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RESEARCH AND INTERVIEWS
Research and population studies are an integral part of the WE:CSDP project. This is not only to track the progress of the project, but to gain a better understanding of the participants’ lives and challenges, so that we may better structure our interventions going forward. Each of the participants are asked to complete short surveys and interviews led by senior AMMACHI Labs staff which help to engage them in discussing community issues and possible solutions. The trust and friendship shared between project staff and participants is the foundation of project success, and such discussions help to strengthen these bonds. The confidential data gathered in these studies will be used to document the project and eventually be shared for publication so that this work can be beneficial to the global academic and NGO community.
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FUTURE PLANS
The WE:CSDP project is off to an exciting start, and already so much has been accomplished. Our next steps are to continue the progress made on ASHG formation and structuring, continuing the c-LEE classrooms, and increasing the amount of community involvement by the women’s groups. Our focus will be on assisting the groups to meet with local government and hold discussions on the community problems they have identified with the goal to encourage government support. Water testing, clean-up drives, and other community assessments will continue and provide supporting evidence the ASHGs can use in their government meetings. Classes on legal rights and financial literacy will continue, and women will be encouraged and assisted in opening personal bank accounts and how to manage their finances. The progress made so far has been huge and encouraging, and we are excited to share the success of this project going forward.
For real time updates and more success stories, please visit our website:
www.ammachilabs.org
www.facebook.com/ammachilabs www.twitter.com/ammachilabs
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APPENDIX: PHOTOS MARCH 1 Train the Trainer success: After nearly two weeks of an action packed Community Organizer Training at Amrita University, our Champions had gathered together for a closing ceremony at Amriteswari Hall. The ceremony included street plays, dances and other cultural sharing sessions. The time together was precious and groundbreaking. Village women and our team members, and facilitators from different cultures, societies and countries even, who may not have even spoken the same language, bonded and shared a common vision in this unifying experience. As they return home, each will have a photo book keepsake and a heart full of unforgettable memories to inspire them to carry out the important work of recruiting more Champions Of Change in India!
MARCH 8
Kathiwada, MP: International women’s day was celebrated here with a march and awareness activity for women and girls on the importance of education and sanitation for women. Ransai, Maharashtra: A community meeting, led by SHGs on women’s day, was held on the importance and the need for women empowerment in their community. A long discussion among the women reaffirmed the SHGs commitment to the UNDEF project.
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Kodur, Telengana: International women’s day march and awareness activity for women and girls on the importance of education for women.
Kanti, Haryana: On International women’s day, a sanitation march and campaign among SHGs was conducted to encourage their community to take up sanitation improvements in their lives.
WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT
MARCH 16
MARCH 8
MARCH 26
Nani Borwai, Gujarat: The CO and SHG hosted a Community meeting on women’s day on the importance and the need for women empowerment in their community. The meeting ended with strong commitments from all present to participate in the Sadivayal, Tamil Nadu: The SHG and Block Development Officer (BDO) met for the first time upcoming activities. to discuss the community’s sanitation problem and how to get toilets and other infrastructure improvements for the village.
Kanti, Haryana: The women in this village have been having problems getting their SHG bank account sorted because the branch manager was not cooperating. Along with the CO and project staff, a meeting was arranged and the SHG could speak with the branch manager to make sure the women get fairly treated.
MARCH 27 Sadivayal, Tamil Nadu: A meeting was called to discuss the idea of farmers joining a co-op of over 2000 other farmers to give them better buying power as well as better way to market their goods. The SHG members took it upon themselves to champion this meeting and have decided to use the benefits they receive as an SHG to contribute. This is a demonstration of the growing influence and command these women have in their community.
MARCH 28 Gudipadu Cheruvu, Andhra Pradesh: A water testing workshop for all villagers (men, women, children) was conducted. The source of the water here is a “village holding tank”. After testing the water they uncovered that it was ridden with harmful bacteria. The CO and SHG decided to start community awareness with water testing. A village meeting was called, and an informational video about water and cholera was shown to the women. A discussion ensued followed by a public water test to demonstrate the results. As the community understood the risks, they became aware about simple preventative solutions such as boiling the water which could lead to better health for all.
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MARCH 29
Malakpan, Goa: A meeting around available funding for sanitation infrastructure was conducted. A contract was proposed that would kick start the project.
MARCH 30 Karanji, Chhattisgarh: The village Gram Panchayat Sarpanch met with the SHG members in front of the village to discuss the launch of the project and to bring up the importance of sanitation. They agreed to work together going forward to improve the situation in this village.
MARCH 31 Kanti, Haryana: The CO and SHG held a formal meeting on group designations and to plan their first activities. The CO was introduced to the District Education Officer, Project Officer at Rural Development Office and Block Cluster Coordinator of Self Help Groups (invited to this meeting) to find out more information and opportunities for the women community.
APRIL 2 Karanji: A meeting was held between the SHG and the Block Development Officer to explain the UNDEF project and to inform the government official of their expectations to have regular meetings with him and to avail the schemes they have learned about. The meeting was successful, and the BDO has agreed to continue to work with the SHG. Kathiwada, MP: The SHG conducted their first internal meeting and held a hygiene class for the community. The Community Organizer led some women and children in an outreach program to practice the “7 steps of Hand Washing.� They also discussed the sanitation practices at their homes and shared their concerns after watching the informative videos on infectious diseases caused by bad hygiene practices.
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APRIL 4 Kanti, Haryana: The first water test and class on clean water was conducted. Results from the test will be shown at the next meeting with local government to request improved drinking water infrastructure.
APRIL 5 Dunda, Uttarakhand: Prabha Chatterjee, CO from this village, met with the Agriculture Officer in Dunda block to inquire about work opportunities for our women SHGs. The officials at the Agricultural office were impressed by this initiative from women and asked more about their activities, the WE:CSDP project and AMMACHI Labs. During this interaction, our zonal officer and #CO came to know that there is a scheme for making compost pits in the village, for which the women self help group can apply. This scheme is part of National Rural Livelihood Mission implemented by Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India for promoting self-employment and organization of rural poor. As per the latest update from our field team, Prabha has successfully applied for this scheme.
Dr Khera, UP: The SHG conducted a formal meeting to designate roles, plan future events, and received their LEE class.
APRIL 6 Malgoan, Chhattisgarh: A legal awareness workshop was conducted in Odisha along with one project staff. Major government schemes, legal rights, and how to access both were discussed.
Malgoan, Chhattisgarh: A legal awareness class with project staff was held as a part of the LEE curriculum. Major government schemes, legal rights, and how to access both were discussed.
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APRIL 7
Malakpan, Goa: LEE awareness Malgaon, Chhattisgarh: An classes and hygiene practices inauguration ceremony for the were taught to the SHG and as- UNDEF project was conducted and sociated women. These classes local government officials were are held regularly by the CO. invited to meet the women and discuss community improvements.
Malakpan, Goa: A legal awareness workshop was conducted which covered topics like government schemes, legal rights, and how to access them.
Kathiwada, MP: The impact of temporary/seasonal labor migration on child well-being and education, was a discussion topic, in a recent meeting with the Juna Kathiwada villagers. The village is witnessing large scale migration of villagers in search of employment to Rajkot, Gujrat. They live six to nine months in the city, survive purely on daily wages and are usually accompanied by their children. The villagers were given awareness on Right To Education and various government initiatives. With help from AMMACHI Labs team, they have decided to meet the Educational Officer to know more and its availability for their children. Dr Khera, UP: This year, the theme of World Health Day is Depression: Let’s Talk. The overall goal of the campaign is that more people with depression, everywhere in the world, both seek and get help. To commemorate the World Health Day on 7th April, an awareness program was organized here. Ms. Tanya Sanjiv, Counselor/Psychologist talked about mental health and the means of psychological first aid to be resorted to and as and when faced with depression. It was an interactive session, where the counselor tried to engage the villagers by raising questions and also by showing audio-visuals, to help them understand better. Information about the associated stigma with mental illness, was also given to seek help of professionals rather than masking things which might aggravate the problem.
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APRIL 8
Kanti, Haryana: Recently, the Haryana state government has increased its funding and emphasis on sanitation improvements, seeking to make as many districts as possible Open Defecation Free. As a part of this drive, the Kanti village was selected as an ODF village due to the accelerated improvement of sanitation in-frastructure and awareness thanks to the SHG and AMMACHI Labs' collaborative work.
APRIL 9
Malgaon, Chhattisgarh: The CO and SHG held a toilet awareness meeting, and led a commu-nity discussion on toilet building under the government scheme.
Nala, Uttrakhand: A women’s community meeting was held, along with government officials from the NRLM and SBM offices. Community sanitation and infrastructure improvements were discussed, as well as the role of the SHG in encouraging behavior and attitude changes of the community. This was a successful meeting that reinforced the positive relationship between this village and local government.
Karanji, Chhattisgarh: A hygiene and handwashing activity was held for the local school, lead by CO and SHG members. This is a part of an ongoing sanitation awareness campaign to combat the spread of waterborne diseases especially during the rainy season.
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APRIL 13
Nani Borwai, Gujarat: A UNDEF project launch ceremony was conducted so that local government officials could attend. The officials had a discussion with the SHGs afterward, and got development/infrastructure agreements verbally. Follow-up meetings will be carried out in the coming weeks.
Dunda, Uttarakhand: A Legal Awareness workshop on the Right to Information act was given and sparked a discussion on the importance of following up with government promises, and following the proper channels for the most success.
APRIL 14
Hadiabad, Bihar: Meeting between SHG and SBM officers to follow up on toilet construction. With village 'Mukhiya' & former AMMACHI Labs student: Manju Singh.
APRIL 23
Kalinagar, West Bengal: The SHG led a village-wide cleanup drive along with the newly hired and trained CO.
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Dr Khera, UP: The SHG president, CO and local bank head met together to discuss the available schemes for the SHG and how they might be availed.
APRIL 24 Kalinagar, West Bengal: Following the successful cleanup drive, the SHG held a sanitation out-reach with children at the local school. They also con-ducted the first Water Test-ing and training. Results from the test will be used during the next government meet-ing to encourage improved drinking water infrastructure.
WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT
APRIL 25
MAY 5
Naniborwai, Gujarat: The women held a rally on edu- Kalinagar, West Bengal: The CO led a hygiene session with villagers including cation and health awareness for girl children. students from a local school. The SHG held a meeting to determine the next activities and future LEE class schedule.
MAY 5
MAY 6
Hadiabad and Ratanpur, Bihar: CO/SHG led Nani Borwai, Gujarat: hygiene awareness class for other women in A LEE class on legal awareness was given, along village, with a focus on keeping children healthy. with the regular LEE curriculum. This will help facilitate future government meetings they will conduct.
MAY 6 Karanji, Chhattisgarh: CO and SHG met with the sarpanch and submitted an application for funds to open a tailoring unit. The Sarpanch received the application and promised to get tailoring machines for them. This has been a desire of the women in this village for many years, but they never knew the right process for gaining government assistance.
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MAY 8
Indpur, Himachal Pradesh: CO and SHG visited a local school to promote hygiene and using a toilet. They plan to hold awareness classes once a month at this school.
MAY 31 Dunda, Uttarakhand: Recognizing that access to water is a fundamental right, the women participating in the WE:CSDP program took it upon themselves to approach their Gram Pradhan (Village Head) for immediate solutions. The women approached the Gram Pradhan and submitted a petition for a water supply and a water tank for their villages. As per the directions of Village Pradhan, the women are planning to meet with the Block Development Officer for further follow up.
JUNE 1 Hadiabad, Bihar: Our Community Organizer, Baby Devi is a perfect fit for the role entrusted to her. Apart from conducting regular social classes and community events, she is aware of the individual problems in her community and manages to provide solutions too. Ribha Kumari is a 14 year old mentally challenged girl in the 3rd grade. Even though her school gives funding for uniforms & transportation, young Ribha found it difficult to sign-up on her own. As a result, she was denied certain rights. Our CO happened to meet Ribha's distressed mother and decided to take up the matter. She disputed the matter to authorities who then took action in favor of funding for Ribha. Ribha’s mother also expressed other concerns about her daughter to Baby Devi. On account of being bullied by other schoolmates, Ribha stopped going to school. Baby Devi decided meet the principal and also give some social lessons to Ribha’s classmates to sensitize them. As a result, Ribha is finding it easier to fit in and school is becoming enjoyable again. Baby Devi is an inspiring democratic voice and leader for her entire community.
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JUNE 2
Kanti, Haryana: Thanks to the efforts of the SHG and CO, after submitting the results of the water testing, the Sarpanch of their area has secured government funding to install a large reverse osmosis water plant to supply purified water to the community
JUNE 3
Dunda, Uttarakhand : SHG president and CO met with the BDO Officer to discuss government programs to help improve infrastructure in the village which is Indpur, HP: A community event was organized in a landslide prone zone of the Himalayas. by our CO and field team, for systematically addressing waste, hygiene and sanitation. Our SHG women and students from the computer center participated in the cleaning drive.
JUNE 4
Kanti, Haryana: Community Organizers led a World Environment Day campaign and celebration by holding a clean-up drive.
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JUNE 4
Dr Khera, UP: Community Organizers led a World Environment Day campaign and celebration by holding a clean-up drive.
Nani Borwai, Gujarat: CO visits women in the village to promote opening personal bank accounts. She was able to collect information from 35 women and went with them to open an account at the local bank.
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Hadiabad and Ratanpur, Bihar: Community Organizers led a World Environment Day campaign and celebration by planting trees at their homes.
WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT
JUNE 12
JUNE 16
The D. R. D. A. Project officer in Goa selected 25 women Hadiabad, Bihar The village got the trainees from AMMACHI Labs’ Tailoring course for Jute status of ‘Nirmal Gaon’ (clean village) Bag Making, an Income Generating training program for under the national-level program women SHGs
JUNE 21
Community Organizers and deployment team led the Yoga Day at AMMACHI Labs training centers at various villages in India.
JUNE 29
Kodur, Andhra Pradesh: CO, facilitator and others team members met with Junior Assistant, Mandal Parishad Development Office to discuss about government schemes
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JULY 3
Kodur, Andhra Pradesh: Clean-up drive conducted by more than 20 senior citizens and 85 students
JULY 4
Nani Borwai, Gujarat, Vadagaon, Maharashtra, Dunda, Uttarakhand. People from across different strata of society participated in clean-up drives.
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JULY 5
JULY 13
Kodur, Andhra Pradesh: Hundreds of villagers Nani Borwai, Gujarat: With the help of Commuattended the Legal Awareness sessions con- nity Organizer, Minal Karansang, SHG members ducted by AMMACHI Labs team at. The ses- opened bank accounts. sion talked about Child Marriage, and Right To Information Act.
JULY 14
JULY 18
Sulugudu, Karnataka: Life Enrich-ment Education program for elders and children. Almost 30 people attended the discussions and classes on Income Generation, Right To Information Act, Jan Dhan Yojana, Child Sexual Abuse and Human Trafficking.
Kumaun Region, Uttarakhand: Celebrated Harela Festival is an annual local fair with the school children from Dunda village (Uttarakhand). More than 70 students and school authorities in association with our CO and de-ployment team conducted a rally in the village and celebrated the day as Uttarakhand Tree Plantation Day.
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JULY 20
JULY 28
Byse, Karnataka: Community Organizer Jyothi submitted her application to Senior.Division Judge, District Legal Service Authority (DLSA), Shimoga to become a Para Legal Volunteer .
Kalinagar, West Bengal: Community Organizer Lipika with the help from Facilitator and SHG women organized an awareness program in Invited guest Dr. Sunil conducted awareness session for more than 70 villagers.
AUGUST 8
Kalinagar, West Bengal: Hundreds of villagers including children came together to make their village and environment clean. Team led by Community Organizer and other SHG women organized a cleaning drive.
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AUGUST 27
Pandori, Jammu & Kashmir: SHG organized Clean- Dewgain, Jharkhand: Organized Clean-up up drive to spread awareness on Cleanliness, Hygiene drive and rally. and Sanitation. Inspired by this initiative, many village women joined the campaign and made the event successful.
SEPTEMBER 7
SEPTEMBER 12
Guptkashi, Uttarakhand: Community Organizer, Anjana conducted a legal awareness program in association with District Legal Services Authority. Three Judges were invited to the program as speakers and more than 300 villagers attended this awareness program.
Kanti village, Haryana: Community Led Total Sanitation Drive. Program was led by CO and SHG women. Many of the community members participated in the event.
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SEPTEMBER 12
SEPTEMBER 13
Sadivayal, Tamil N adu: Facilitated a Life Enrichment Naniborwai Gujarat: Community OrganizEducation session with SHG women in Sadivayal vil- ers and villagers participated in the Tree lage, Coimbatore. Plantation event with great involvement,
SEPTEMBER 19
SEPTEMBER 22
Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh : The 20 member Sanitation Committee formed by CO Sunita Devi and other SHG memebrs is planning and strategizing the community led total sanitation drive . Village women will be taking #sanitation and #cleanliness Malgaon, Chattisgarh: Community Organizer Usha pledge during this event. Singh and SHG women in organized saniation awareness session and conducted a clean up drive as part of ODF initiative.
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WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT
SEPTEMBER 26
Karanji village, Chattisgarh. : Community Organizer Sarita Markam and students from our Comput-er Center organized a Sanitation awareness session for school children
SEPTEMBER 30
Kalinagar West Bengal: CO Lipika and facilitator Abhijith leading an awareness rally to encourage community people to use dust bins in every home and pathways and keep the village clean.
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WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT
OCTOBER 1
Indpur, Himachal Pradesh: Zonal Officer Vinod, Ratanpur village in Bihar: ODF Pledge and Rally Community Organizer and SHG members led the led by CO, AServe Coordinator and AMMACHI AmalaBharatham clean up drive. Village children Labs team. joined the campaign and learned the hand washing techniques after the program.
Indpur village, Himachal Pradesh: CO, Facilitator, 6 SHG members and AMMACHI Labs’ Zonal Officer visited the Post Office. They interacted with the officer and learned about a new scheme called Sukanya Samriddhi Account Yojana (Girls) in Post office which can be opened up to age of 10 years only from the date of birth. On Monday they are expected to submit the 6 forms they collected from the Post Office.
OCTOBER 3
Karanji, Chhattisgarh: More than 230 people participated in the Gandhi Jayanti celebrations led by AMMACHI Labs’ deployment team, CO, students and staff from Karanji Higher Secondary School and villagers. Community Organizer Saritha led the rally and pledge for ODF in the village. Our team members had a brief discussion with the Gram Pradhan about the major challenges faced by villagers.The school principal and staff thanked MA Math and AMMACHI Labs for the initiatives and support for spreading Sanitation awareness.
Harirampura, Rajasthan: AMMACHI Labs’ Zonal Lead and facilitator led the clean up drive and cleared the village roads.
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WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT
OCTOBER 8
12 villages Recognized for Open Defecation Free status by Swachh Bharat Abhiyan: Honourable President of India, Shri Ramnath Kovind recognized the COs with commemorative plaques and encouraging words for their collective achievement in actualizing Open Defecation Free status in several villages. Each of these women has her own unique story of success, but also shares in the common societal and economic struggles which Indian women face. Open Defecation Free status is no easy achievement as it takes hard work and campaigning to shift deep rooted cultural behaviors around sanitation and hygiene. To achieve this status the entire village must participate in ensuring that every household has access to a toilet and that there is no visible human waste or sewage around the village.
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WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT
OCTOBER 15
Ratanpur, Bihar: AMMACHI Labs team and CO Urmila led the sanitation pledge and awareness activities for the Mushar community women. All of them participated in the Ideal Village exercise and presented their work. Under the supervision of the deployment team, the tailoring assessment conducted of students who took our cVET course at Hadiabad and Ratanpur villages.
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OCTOBER 16
Nani Borvai village, Gujarat: CO Meenal and facilitator Pravin organized the morning Yoga class and Kho-Kho lessons for the women and children. Later on an awareness session on Health was conducted which talked about Child Health and Clean Water.
WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT
ABBREVIATIONS AMMACHI ASHGs COs c-LEE MLA NOs ODF SDGs SHGs TTT UNDEF UNESCO WE:CSDP ZLs
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Amrita Multi Modal Applications and Computer Human Interaction Advocacy Self Help Groups Community Organizers Computerized Life-Skills/Life Enrichment Education Member of Legislative Assembly Nodal Officers Open Defecation Free Sustainable Development Goals Self Help Groups Train-the-Trainer United Nations Democracy Fund United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Women Empowerment: Community Sanitation through Democratic Participation Zonal Leads
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