Sep - Oct 2010 Vol 10, Issue 5 1

ContentsEd’s Desk 1

At a Glance 2

Special Feature – “Women” 3

Traveler’s Diary 5

Nostalgia 6

Creative Contemplation 8

INDO -GLOBAL SOCIAL SERVICE SOCIETY

Vol 10, Issue 5, Sep - Oct 2010

As we move towards a new beginning and a new year, I cannot help but wonder at the learnings that I take with me into 2011. The year 2010 has been very insightful and packed with all kinds of wonderful experiences. From these experiences comes the understanding that in the development sector, and especially in this sector, one has to move away from symbolism and towards implementation, action and results. It is not always easy but it is certainly the way to go.

When we look at the issue of women’s empowerment it is important to understand that we must go beyond the jargon. When women take collective decisions that are also implemented and reach fruition then empowerment takes place. Women play a very important role in our world – it is they who keep the family together and bring the right perspectives into a child’s upbringing. They are the ones who can guide their men into positive development. When civil society or the government works with women for their upliftment they must remember to help women be doers and implementers not listeners and acceptors only.

When I listen to the IGSSS staff and understand how many of them have experienced a revelation in their lives just by working with IGSSS, I realize what a wonderful platform this organization has been to all who have come in contact with it. IGSSS has served many a grassroot organization and individual in their endeavor to contribute the best that they can to a growing country. We have served as a catalyst of change to many and in the process have experienced great satisfaction and inner change ourselves. In this Golden Jubilee year we plan to keep moving ahead and contributing. And we hope to bring about this change through the warmth of this season.

Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Smiles…

Joseph

Sep - Oct 2010Vol 10, Issue 5 2

At a GlanceNational CityMakers Caravan Completes Hundred Days

The National CityMakers Caravan (nCMc), which was flagged off from Rajghat, Delhi, on August 17, 2010 completed a hundred days on November 24, 2010. The Caravan team is campaigning tirelessly for the rights of the urban poor across India, and has so far covered 98 cities in 18 states. It is currently in Ranchi, Jharkhand.

The Caravan has received an overwhelming response and has evolved into a nationwide movement to push for a policy change in favour of the homeless. For the first time ever,

civil society organizations are talking about the rights of the urban homeless on such an extensive scale.

Following are a few significant observations and achievements of the CityMakers Caravan so far:

• Chandigarh: The nCMc was told that there are approximately 25,000 families in Colony number 5, Sector 45 - a huge slum near the Chandigarh-Mohali border. A few months ago, around 2,250 families were evicted from their huts after a demolition drive, and so far only 450 have been rehabilitated or allotted new land.

• Amritsar: The district authorities identify homeless people every night to take them to a shelter and also gave them train tickets to go back to their hometowns. There are suggestions that local authorities have not provided well-equipped shelters and are trying to rid the city of migrants who come looking for a better livelihood.

• Gujarat: The Garib Mahila Sangathan in Surat decided , in the course of the Caravan’s activities, to start a Balwadi center, which will be called “CityMakers Balwadi Center” and will work to educate homeless children.

• Madhya Pradesh: The state has the unique law of allocating 15 per cent urban land to slum-dwellers or people from the low income group.

• Maharashtra: A massive protest was organised at Azaad Maidan, Mumbai, against the false affidavit filed by the state in response to the Supreme Court’s order regarding shelters for the homeless (one shelter per one-lakh population). The affidavit says that the only homeless people in Maharashtra are beggars and the mentally ill.

• Karnataka: A research document “Invisible City Makers”, based on an action research study by IGSSS and 29 Bangalore-based NGOs, was released. The document is intended to serve as a guide for action both for the current decadal census exercise and other future studies in the city.

• Kerala: The youth who participated in nCMc’s programmes suggested that more such events be held in colleges to generate awareness about homelessness and promote pro-poor attitudes.

• Puducherry: A memorandum was submitted to the Chief Minister, who promised to start working on the demands of CityMakers.

Renowned former Supreme Court Judge, Justice V. R. Krishna Iyer, known for his pro–poor stance, addressed a meeting organized by nCMc in Ernakulam on October 14. He said people must have compassion and feeling for their fellow human beings. “If there is only one homeless person in the country, it means we are all homeless. There is a need to adopt a multi-dimensional approach to deal with urban poverty, which can be done with the help of the Caravan”. He termed the effort made by the Indo- Global Social Service Society, Oxfam, Caritas and other partners of the Caravan as “Indo–Global Happiness, as when the people of India will be happy, the whole world will be happy, and vice-versa.”

Sandhya Shadangi

Executive – Communications & Fundraising, Citymakers

Sep - Oct 2010 Vol 10, Issue 5 3

Special Feature – “Women”Our House

The Government of Maharashtra passed a resolution in 2003 for the joint ownership of Houses in the name of the wife and the husband.

Benefits of the Act –

• A claim in the share of the house will act as a safety net for women especially against domestic violence as the woman cannot be forcibly evacuated. Moreover, it won’t be possible to sell the house without her consent.

• The entitlement to the house would improve a woman’s access to credit, enhance her productivity, introduce income- generation sources and augment her economic status.

• Husbands will not be able to take loans by mortgaging the house without the consent of the women.

IGSSS has played a significant role in the implementation of the resolution through its partner organizations. Various methodologies were adopted for the dissemination of information and effective implementation of the Act at the grassroot level.

A copy of the resolution was shared by the partner organizations at the SHG meetings, Mahila Mandals, cluster and federation meetings. Some women also raised the issue at the Gram Sabha and RTI (Right to Information) was invoked by a few partner organisations to accelerate the process of registration of houses in the women’s name.

However, the process of execution of the resolution has met with challenges of varied magnitudes such as government apathy and deep rooted traditions. Some women did not prefer a joint ownership as they could not comprehend that an age old practice of the house being in the husband’s name would no longer be followed. In a few cases, Gram Sevaks demanded for the payment of house and water taxes before the registration of the houses, making it difficult for the women folk as they have limited resources from which they could not pay the hefty amount demanded. This was an obstruction of the women’s rights even though there was no such provision in the decree.

But IGSSS’ partners relentlessly pursued the cause and in many villages husbands were inspired to stand by their wives and ensure joint registration. Several meetings were held with the Gram Sevaks to sensitize them and women SHGs were organized to support the movement. The sustained efforts of IGSSS led to successful implementation of the resolution in many villages of Maharashtra.

Statements by Dalit and Maratha women, Pune district

A woman from the Haveli block reacted after getting joint title to the house, “ …atleast we are going to leave behind something after our death!”

“It is the first time that I feel triumph that our rights have materialized.” Sangita Kadam, 30 years, Shirsawadi village, Haveli block.

Statements from the Adivasis of Chandrapur region

“This joint registration on house title made me realize that I too have a share in the property.”Shashikala Walke, Ballarsha.

“Indeed my name on the house title, paved the way for my husband and in-laws to take my opinion while buying new things for the house.” Shashikala, Chandrapur.

Dorothy D’souzaSenior Manager, Gender & Jan Vikas Samajik Sanstha, Maharashtra

Sep - Oct 2010Vol 10, Issue 5 4

Special Feature – “Women”Experiences - Land and Housing Rights for Women in India (2007-2009)

Women’s rights over housing, land and other natural and productive resources are essential to minimize female poverty, increase financial efficiency and bring gender equality and equity in the country. Landlessness is invariably connected with inequality and poverty, more so in the case of women.

IGSSS believes that as the main food producers, women’s access to land and natural resources is a key factor in eradicating hunger and rural poverty. Ownership of house and property provides security to a women to take a stand against violence, and makes

it difficult for family members to throw her out of the house. Sale of houses would not be possible without the consent of the woman title-holder. The title to house and land would boost a woman’s confidence, worth and dignity.

In 2007, Indo-Global Social Service Society initiated a process to know the status of the land and housing rights of women in India and also to explore the possibility of building a platform to raise issues for networking, advocacy and ground level interventions.

Critical recommendations emerged from the process that was conducted in 22 States and 2 Union Territories of India through consultation and state wise studies. IGSSS acknowledges the contribution of inspired and committed individuals/ institutions who spent their lifetimes voicing the concerns of women and making this process useful.

RECOMMENDATIONS

1. The issue of land rights for women should not just be viewed under civil law but as a serious issue concerning land related criminal impacts and the violation of economic, social and cultural human rights of women.

2. The context of property rights shall be redefined in context with the survival and livelihood rights of the women.3. Need to evolve a gender sensitive National Land Policy, National Housing Policy and National Slum Policy4. The land rights of women should be natural and by birth. They should be emphasized in all the laws related to

women, land reforms and land management committees.5. Women’s Resource Rights Agenda (WRRA) should become a state-led agenda and part of the government policy.

This should be accompanied by budgets for training, exposure and resource mapping. 6. Need of Legal literacy Drive with regard to women’s land and housing rights to educate the common man and

change social attitudes.7. Availability of updated land records through computerization of land records in all states.8. Priority should be given to women-headed households in the allotment of ceiling surplus, Bhoodan, pattas,

commercial complexes and housing units. Recording of the already allotted land, housing etc. jointly in the name of husband and wife to prevent land alienation without the wife’s knowledge.

9. A policy should be made for the landless women so that they can easily make use of the gram sabha lands.10. Dalit and poor women should be helped to take possession of the land which is already allotted to them in the

records.11. All the government alloted sites in urban slums and rural areas shall be registered in the name of the women

(eligible legal heir).12. There should be enough encouragement and discounts for purchase of movable and immovable property in the

name of the woman.13. Land Assignment committees formed by the government at all levels from mandal to districts levels shall have 50%

women members and must be chaired by women.14. The gender neutral Indira Awas Yojana that provides housing to BPL families, should focus on women while making

allotments.15. A help line for women in distress, a 24 hr emergency response with a toll free number to tackle women’s housing

and land rights matters exclusively, is recommended.

Sep - Oct 2010 Vol 10, Issue 5 5

16. A woman’s name should be entered into the family property at the time of her marriage. A married woman’s rights to matrimonial property needs to be legislated as is done in most of the developed countries.

17. In case of large scale of displacement caused by development projects (SEZs, dams, green-belting etc) the resettlement and rehabilitation plans should focus on registration of land in the name of women.

18. Like the Madhya Pradesh government other states should also give recognition to women as farmers officially and legally. In view of the high migration rate of men to cities, land is the only source women can rely upon and therefore agricultural extension services should be offered to women farmers.

19. Women’s membership should be ensured in all village level NRM Committees.20. Lesson on Women’s Rights & Acts to be included in the syllabus at high school and college level.

We wish to thank our partner Misereor for their support in the process.

Shikha Srivastava, Manager,PQSD

Equity and Choice

Move Beyond the Symbolic Last year, on March 8th ,International Women’s Day, a friend of mine gave flowers to his wife and said “It’s after all your day, leave the kitchen, we will go out and have food.” International Women’s Day is celebrated in the households!- A flash news on TV and the end of another ordinary day. Indeed the matter gets closed there just like Friendship day or Valentine’s Day.

Can good governance be achieved by just making felt a ceremonious presence on a proverbial celebration called “International Women’s Day”? Are we able to amalgamate women’s issues in the varied aspects of development in both form and content? Where are the women placed in the big picture of political and economic manifestations where policy-making and negotiations are carried out? Why are women seen in the middle and lower rungs of the public sphere only? Do our mundane activities show a gender sensitized approach?

The usual notion among laymen is that women are successfully competing with men in the job market and making more men unemployed in an already scarce job market. What people normally look at is the urban and semi-urban locations where women might seem to be pro-active in dealing with their lives and seem to be as assertive and as aggressive as their male counterparts. But the true meaning of development is to be found in the villages (68% of people in India live in villages) where women (49.6 crores is the total population of women and 36.09 crores is the population of rural women) are actually living in dire conditions. There is statistical evidence that women are directly affected by poverty, disease and malnutrition. Nearly 88% of pregnant women in the age group of 14-49 years are anemic and suffer from iron deficiency. Maternal mortality is higher in India than in sub Saharan Africa.

The poor status of women; especially in the context of literacy rate is due to many reasons like gender discrimination or gender based inequality that in turn leads to social and economic inequality and exploitation, high dropouts among girls as they are an added domestic help, and low retention and enrollment rates of girls in schools. When education is taken to be the base for development, women are invisible.

The development index could be measured through a multi-vista approach from the governance, gender and vulnerable class, socio-economic and politico-legal empowerment dimension. Moreover the measuring scale should not really look at these in isolation but have a holistic approach, i.e. inclusion of all these aspects to understand the level of development a country has

Sep - Oct 2010Vol 10, Issue 5 6

Nostalgia

Memories…….

My journey started with IGSSS way back in 1999. I never felt like a new person in the organization. There was a very cordial environment, my colleagues treated me very warmly and soon I became part of the IGSSS family.

IGSSS provided me with unmatched opportunities for my growth. I feel very proud to say that the organization provided me with the golden opportunity of dedicating my services to the welfare of the poor.

My colleagues are also very co –operative and helpful. Each and every one of us, regardless of the designation, joins hands to complete an assignment and shares each

other’s happiness and sorrow, which is a very unique experience for me. IGSSS has truly become a part of my life.

Moreover, I would like to share that whenever I get to meet or interact with any of my ex – colleagues, they all cherish their association with the organization and thankfully remember its support and guidance which helped them to reach the zenith of their careers.

IGSSS has wiped the tears of thousands of helpless people in its long journey of five decades and as we are to celebrate the golden year of the organization, I just can’t stop feeling proud to be a part of this wonderful institution and to pray to God that our organization reaches out to more needy people in the coming year. It rightly believes that its success is in “serving the unfortunate” and I am grateful to be a part of this noble and wonderful belief.

Kunjamma JosephExecutive, Programme

achieved. The two most important aspects to study development would be through the issues of a) equity and b) choices. While the actual meaning of equity arises when women, like men, have authority in making decisions, choose their own life-style and make use of their choices, participate with the same verve like men do in politics; both at local and national politics (barely 8.1% of seats are occupied by women in parliament). Hence equity is understood as equal opportunity to participate and involve in the larger structures of life; of polity and society.

Choice is a thoughtful action that requires knowledge and acceptance of others. The term choice contains a moral connotation having a social value leading to achieving maximum happiness not only to the one who is exercising the right to choose but also to the one who is indirectly affected by that choice. When gender as an issue is studied within the community, women are the ones who never utilize the term in the SHG groups that are formed by both the government and the Civil Society. The Mid-Day Meals scheme has no specific issue of educating the anganwadi teacher or the women’s group like mother’s associations in many regions of the country on the importance of nutrition and health of the girl child at par with the boy child. At an individual level a woman is not allowed to choose the kind of contraception she should use, number of children she would like to have, and the kind of profession she would like to be in .

Good governance and development only becomes complete when each and every activity is valued in terms of its reach, whether in terms of empowerment and/or through accountability and transparency.

Shubhamitra DasOfficer Cluster Co –ordination

Sep - Oct 2010 Vol 10, Issue 5 7

Define Pain?

IGSSS gives me the opportunity to explore varied development issues through different consultancy studies. While conducting one such study I got a chance to interact with children suffering from Cerebral Palsy.

I was very excited to do something meaningful through this Consultancy study. I researched information on Cerebral Palsy and found out that the term refers to any one of a number of neurological disorders and permanently affected body movement and muscle coordination.

Finally, the day arrived and I found myself in a classroom of around 25 children aged between 6 - 14yrs. The children, guided by their teacher, welcomed me with a beautiful song.

Some children were in the primary stage of Cerebral Palsy. They could stand on their feet but it took them much effort to follow the lyrics of the welcome song. Some children were unable to stand and had to sit on an elder sibling’s lap.

In a few minutes I realized that the children understood things but their body and facial expressions did not support them in voicing their feelings. They all wanted to say many things not only to their peers but also to us. And there were many things that remained unsaid that day even on my part.

I then paid a visit to Akkra’s home. Akkra is a 10-year old girl suffering from Cerebral Palsy since childhood. She has been visiting the school run by the organization for the last three years. Even though Akkra was not able to express her feelings I found her to be a very charming 10-year old.

She recited a poem, spoke about her daily routine, and talked about her friends but due to her speech problems all this had to be interpreted by her mother. Tears were rolling down her mother’s eyes, while she spoke about Akkra’s struggle and pain.

Akkra’s mother was the only earning member of the family as Akrra’s father had lost his mental balance after seeing Akkra’s condition at birth. Meanwhile, Busara, Akkra’s younger sister, entered the room with a very serious face and sat in the corner. Although I tried to interact with her many times she did not respond and went out of the room. Her mother said that since she is too engaged in attending to Akkra’s every need, she is not able to shower her love and attention towards her younger daughter. Even though she is financially able to raise both girls she has to give so much attention to Akkra that she has sent Busara to her aunt’s home. This has created a big gap between Busara, and her parents and her elder sibling. Busara does not like to visit her parents and sister. She sometimes questions her Aunt, “why has Akkra snatched my happiness? Why am I not allowed to stay with my parents? Why do I not get the same degree of love and attention from my parents, family members and other guest who visit my parents’ home?”

When I came out of the house and turned back to say bye, I found Akkra sitting ,smiling in her mother’s lap. In another corner, Busra was standing alone, her face expressing a thousand mutilated feelings- a story of sadness. The eyes of both girls met mine and it seemed to me that both of them were asking a question, “Who is in more Pain? Who is more vulnerable and Who is struggling more in life?”

Subroto ChatterjiExecutive,Programme

Traveler’s Diary

July - August 2010Vol 9, Issue 4 8Designed & Printed at: Bosco Society for Printing & Graphic Training, Okhla Road, New Delhi - 25, Ph: 011-26910729

8

Creative ContemplationLife is Too Short to Hold on to Grudges

One evening my 9-year old son came running into the house. He was crying and one of his knees was bleeding. I became very perturbed and on further enquiry, he revealed “Ankit pushed me to the ground”. Ankit is his best friend.

I got furious. How could Ankit hurt my son? I immediately told him “Let’s go to his mother and complain.” My son held my hand and said, “No Mummy, just chill, he is my friend and friends can fight also,” and saying so, he ran away to the play ground. From a distance I could see both

of the children playing again with each other and basking in the joy of their friendship.

This entire incident, even though it may appear trivial at first left a mark on me. I started wondering at how children let go so easily of bad incidents and cherish the good moments of their relationships.

But as we grow older, we try to hold on to the negative incidents and forget the best moments in life. We tend to become less and less forgiving, but interestingly want others to be tolerant of our behavior. I know one of my friends has not spoken to her cousin for five years. They grew up with each other, shared each other’s secrets and were inseparable. However, a fight that started with a silly argument spoiled their relationship of 20 years in just one day.

Life is so short. Let’s not waste time in counting faults in the other person and instead focus on the positives. Finding faults, holding onto grudges creates only negativity that may lead to many problems including those related to blood pressure, the heart and so on… What is the point of being angry and negative about something at the cost of your well being and happiness? It is best to forgive and to move on.

Let’s try to be a child again. Enjoy and nurture relationships.

Shikha Srivastava,Manager, PQSD

IGSSS SHRESTHA PURASKARLaunched by IGSSS to commemorate its Golden Jubilee Year

As IGSSS ushers in its 50th year, it is time to remember all those who have contributed to its growth and helped the organization to fulfill its vision of providing LIFE, FREEDOM, and DIGNITY to a cross section of the Society that is deprived of its basic rights.

In the field of Development, IGSSS is recognized as an organization that has nurtured young NGOs, as an organization that provided start-up support to individuals with a passion for development and as an organization that has initiated many a campaign. Many of those NGOs, individuals and campaigns have been instrumental in bringing in significant change in the lives of the most marginalized. To acknowledge their contribution, IGSSS, hereby announces an Annual Award for excellence, viz., the IGSSS SHRESTHA PURASKAR.

Each year the Award will be presented to organizations/individuals who have made a significant contribution in the field of development. This year, since it is the Golden Jubilee Year, upto 10 organisations/individuals will be short-listed for the award.

Interested organizations and individuals can send in a request for a nomination form from 50years@igsss.net. Please fill in the form and send it by January 15, 2011 to the aforementioned email id.