Annual Report 2018-2019

The Influencers

Contents

Executive Summary ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������3

Context ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 5

Effecting Change through a Collaborative Approach...............������������������������������������������������������������5

Social Empowerment ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������7

PriorityAreaI:FreedomfromViolenceandDiscrimination ���������������������������������������������������������7

PriorityAreaII:AccesstoLegalJustice �����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������8

Priority Area III: Grassroots Leadership ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������9

Economic Empowerment �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������10

PriorityAreaIV:AccesstoRightsandEntitlements ��������������������������������������������������������������������10

Priority Area V: Economic Independence �����������������������������������������������������������������������������������11

The Journey Ahead ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������13

Annexure I:TheInfluencers ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������14

Annexure II:TheCollectiveofNGOPartnersWorkingforWomenEmpowerment ����������������������������14

Annexure III:TheInfluencerBulletin ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������14

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Executive Summary

Overthelastdecadewehaveseenanunprecedentedupsurgeofmovementsforwomen’srights,equalityandsafetywithincreasingneedtochangethewaywomenarebeingperceived.Womenareconfronting,challengingandcondemningthepracticesthathavenormalisedgenderinequality,poverty,sexualmisconduct,exclusionanddiscriminationacrosseveryareaoftheirlife.

Thetirelessworkofgrassrootsorganisations,activistsandchampionsofchange,hasbeencentraltothisglobaldriveandwomenallovertheworldcontinuetodemonstratethepowerofmanyvoicesspeakingasone.Thereisnowaneed foraccountability,drawingmomentumfromgrassrootsnetworksandcreatingcoalitions thatstretchrightuptotheleadersofgovernments,businessesandcivicinstitutions.

Tocontribute to thisglobalphenomenon,EdelGiveFoundationhasbeensupportingprogrammeswhichareworking closelyondefusingvulnerabilitiesandenablingopportunities forwomenandgirls across10 statesof India.EdelGiveFoundationhasseentheneedtobuildacollaboration,which includesnot just thesecivilsocietypartnersbutalsomembersofthecommunitywhohavean influentialvoiceandcanspeakfortheseprogrammes,inacollectiveway.Withthisconvergence,The Influencers was created as a group of individuals coming together towards strengthening the ecosystem for women empowerment.

EdelGive Foundation realised that even though each NGO driven programme differed to suit the regionalcontext;therewerecertaincommonalitiesthatunderlayeachoftheseNGOs.Thesecommonalitieswereeitherinnatureofvulnerabilitiestheystrivedtoaddress,thesolutionstheyadoptedtomitigatethesevulnerabilitiesorthecommonnationalandglobalconversationstheywerelendingtheirvoicesto.Whatlackedwascollectivisingoftheseindependent,yetinter-relatedbodyofworkthatwasimprovingrealitiesforwomenandgirls;andthevisibilityofthisexemplarywork.

Significantpositivestepstowardsthiscollectivisationandconvergencehavebornefruitinthepastyearsincethe inception of the Influencers initiative. EdelGive Foundation in consultationwith theNGO partners andthroughareviewoftheirrespectiveprogrammes,has crystallised common priority areas—social and economic parameters of how change should look like for women and girls.EveryprogrammecoveredunderthewomenempowermentportfolioofworksupportedbytheInfluencers,wasmappedtothepriorityareas,foreaseofunderstandingandsystematicreviewofthecollectiveprogressachievedbythecollectiveworkoftheNGOs.

Theeffortsof EdelGive Foundation, strengthenedby the supportof the Influencers,has catalysed a strong NGO collectivewhich isevolvingasa strongpeer-to-peer learning, sharing, supportandadvocacygroup. Itisexhilaratingtoseeorganisationsfromacrossthecountry,dividedbygeographyyetunitedbythecommonmission,tostandfortherightsofthemarginalised.CommonlearningsthatareemergingfromvariousNGOs,promisestostrengthentheindividualandcollectiveworkofpartnersandinformthesectoraboutgoodpractices,challengesandstrategiesthathasthepotentialtoenableequalstatusforwomeninsociety.

TheInfluencersgrouptodayhas16eminent,significantnames/entitiesassociatedwithit,whohavepledgedtosupportthiscollectivebody.Theinterestandcuriosityofitsmembersinlearningaboutthelastmilechangetheir support isengineering,hasbeen instrumental inEdelGiveFoundation institutinga system for itsNGOpartnerstoshareupdatesfromtheirprogrammesandthesectoronareal-timebasis.Thuswiththeinform-to-influenceagendabeingmetthroughthemonthlyupdatesonstoriesofchange,triumph,sectoraldevelopmentsandknowledgebeingsharedthroughtheInfluencerBulletin;inthemonthstocome,EdelGiveFoundationwillinitiate theengage-to-influencephase, reachingout toeach Influencer toarticulate thescope, strategyandschemeoftheirroleasanInfluencer.

In the last year, the Influencers have supported work which has facilitated inclusion and protection fromdiscriminationforcloseto70,000 women and girls at the grassroots.Thisreportsharesthestorybehindthesenumbers–ofhowagroupoflike-mindedindividualsandorganisationsusingthetoolsofcourage,collaborationandcommunicationcandrivesystemic,sustainablechange.

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Context

WomenconstitutehalfofIndia’spopulation,butlagbehindmenonmanysocialindicatorslikehealth,education,economic opportunities and access to justice and political systems. As per Census 2011, the workforceparticipationrateforwomenis25.51%against53.26%formen.NCRBrecordsincreasedcrimeratescommittedagainstwomenintheformofrape,kidnapping,abductionandassault.(MOSPI,GOI,2019)

India’sgenderrankingonglobalindexesarealsoconcerning.

• Indiaranks147thoutof149countriesonhealthandsurvivalofwomen;

• 142ndoutof149intermsofeconomicparticipationofwomen,accordingtotheWorldEconomicForum’sgendergapindex;

• 163rdoutof181countriesinfemalelabourforceparticipation,accordingtotheWorldBank;

• 149thoutof193bypercentageofwomenrepresentativesinparliament,notablybehindBangladesh,PakistanandSaudiArabia,accordingtotheInter-ParliamentaryUnion;

• India isalsothemostdangerouscountrytobeawoman,accordingtotheThomson-ReutersFoundation,worsethanAfghanistan,theDemocraticRepublicofCongo,SyriaorYemen.”(Chakravorti,B,2019)

AmajorityofwomenandgirlslivinginIndiaaresubjecttoviolenceateveryphaseoftheirlifecycle.Theattitudesandtheactsthatperpetuateinequalityareamanifestationoftheunequalpowerrelationsbetweenwomenandmen.Theserelationsareinstitutionalisedbytraditionalandcustomarypracticesthataccordwomenalowerstatusinthefamily,workplace,communityandsociety,andareexacerbatedbysocialpressures.

Despite various legislativeprovisions,women continue to face challengeswhile accessing justice. By legallyempoweringwomen, they become equipped to claim their rights and demand accountability;while at thesame time can bring about sustained change in their communities. However, this access and awareness is mostly missing�

Women’s rights are enshrined in our Constitution making women equal citizens of the nation, who haveentitlementsmeantforthem.However,owingtolackofawarenessandknowledge,andinadequacytonavigateGovernmentsystemsandpatriarchy,womenespeciallyfrommarginalisedcommunitiesfinditdifficulttoaccessthese rights�

Given thediversenatureof challenges impeding creationofanegalitarian society, itwasvery important toconvergeeffortstowardscreatingachange.Todothis,EdelGiveFoundationandtheInfluencers,havedevisedacollectivewomenempowermentstrategy.Someoftheprogrammesfromthestrategyhavebeenelaboratedbelow.

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Effecting Change through a Collaborative Approach

EdelGiveFoundationworkswithacollectiveofsmallandmidsizedNGOpartnerswho implementgrassrootsprogrammes for ensuring the rights of women and girls. Having been exposed to the stellar work rangingfrom facilitatingwomenandgirls tobe awareandaccess their rights to equipping themwithfinancial and non-financial resources as a means to build resilience, EdelGive Foundation believes that holistic womenempowerment isatransformationalprocess includingbothsocialandeconomicempowerment.Onecannotresult or sustainwithout the other. For awoman to feel, act and stay ‘empowered’, shewould need botheconomicresourcesandsocialcapital.Tounderstandandassesstheimpactengineeredbythese(currently)15organisationswhoarepartoftheNGOcollective,EdelGiveFoundationhasdefinedfivepriorityareas.

FREEDOM FROM VIOLENCE AND DISCRIMINATION

• Shiftnormsandbehaviourstoendviolenceagainstwomen

• Supportwomen’sdignityandindependentidentity

• Enableenvironmentandinstitutionsforgenderresponsiveness

• Engagemenandboys forpreventingviolence againstwomen

ACCESS TO LEGAL JUSTICE

• Supportvictimsofviolencetoaccessthelegaljusticesystem

• Enforcelawsrelatedtowomen’srights

• Developstakeholders’capacity to address violence

• Supportsurvivorsforrehabilitation

GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP

• Enablewomen’sknowledgeandaction

• Buildwomen’sindividualandcollectiveleadership

• Strengthenwomen-ledinstitutions,collectives,womennetworks&SelfHelpGroups

ACCESS TO RIGHTS AND ENTITLEMENTS

• Enablewomen’saccess to rights and entitlements

• Createaccountabilityofdutybearersforfulfillingpeople’srights

FREEDOM FROM ECONOMIC DEPENDENCE

• Developwomen’scapabilitiestoaccess economic opportunities

• Supportwomen’sdecisionmaking

• Access and control overresources

KEYPRIORITY

AREAS

Transformation Process of Women Empowerment

Social Transformation Economic Transformation

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Mapping Change -

AnoverviewoftheNGOpartnersandtheirscopeofwork

FreedomfromViolenceandDiscrimination

AccesstoLegalJustice

BuildingGrassrootsLeadership

AccesstoRightsandEntitlements

Economic Independence

10 states and 77 districts

Andhra Pradesh Shaheen

GujaratAreaNetworkingandDevelopmentInitiatives(ANANDI)

KutchMahilaVikasSangathan(KMVS)

Haryana Breakthrough

JharkhandAssociationforAdvocacyandLegalInitiatives(AALI)

(alsoworksinUP)

Karnataka IT for Change

MadhyaPradesh

Jan Sahas

Maharashtra

CommitteeforResourceOrganisationsforMassProgramofFunctionalLiteracy(COROforLiteracy)

MajlisManch

VachaCharitableTrust

Rajasthan Ibtada

UttarPradeshMilaan–BetheChange

(alsoworksinMP)

WestBengalNishtha

Sanjog

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Social Empowerment

EdelGive Foundation’s strategy for social empowerment focuses on preventing discrimination, addressingviolenceandenablingjusticeforsurvivorsofviolence.Ourpartnersengagewiththecommunitytoactivatetheirunderstandingofvulnerabilitiesaffectingwomenandgirlswithanaimtodefusethecultureofgender-basedsubordinationstemmingfrompatriarchy.Asaresult,womenandgirlsareabletodisruptthediscriminatorysocialnormsasameanstowardspreventingandaddressingissuesofviolenceandexclusion.Similarly,communitiesareabletogrowawareandactinfavourofnegotiatingtherightsofwomenandgirlsinfamiliesandserviceproviders.

PriorityAreaI:FreedomfromViolenceandDiscrimination

EdelGiveFoundation’swomenempowermentportfolio,supportedbytheInfluencers,emphasisesonalifecycleapproachtoaddresstheviolencefacedbywomenandgirlsinthesociety.Theprogrammescoveredconsiderviolenceasdeprivationandexclusionfromresourcesandopportunitiesandviolationofrightsanddignity.Theprogress inthefieldtoendviolenceanddiscrimination isanoutcomeofengagingpeopleandworkingwiththemtoaddressinequalitiesthatrestrictwomenandgirlsinthequesttowardstheirdevelopment.

Thepartnersoperatewithincommunitiestobuildconsciousnessamongwomenandgirlsabouttheirrights,issuesofgenderdiscrimination,trafficking,genderbasedviolence,forcedmarriagesandotherissues.Thishascontributed to equip thewomenand girlswith knowledge and skills to negotiate their rights in family andcommunity.Ithasalsocreatedsafeneighbourhoods,challengedthediscriminatorysocialnorms,builtsupportformonitoringviolence,developedcommunityresilience,anddevelopedprogressivegenderattitudesamongyoungpopulation,mainlymenandboys.

Keystrategiesadoptedtoenablethisincluded:

•Safetyauditsofcommunityneighbourhoods

•Socialactionprojectsbyadolescents,amongtheirpeersonissuesofviolence

•Supportgroupsinthevillagesformonitoringforcedmarriagesandtrafficking

•Engagementwithdutybearerstorespondtotheissuesofviolence

•Advocacywithreligiousandtraditionalleadersofthecommunitiestoaddressarchaicdiscriminatorynorms

•School-basedgendersensitisationprogrammes

•AnationwideDignity Marchtofightfortherightsofsurvivorsofviolenceanddiscrimination

Khushboo’s courage – A story of what homegrown leadership can achieve - A case study from Milaan’s Girl Icon Fellowship programme in Uttar Pradesh

The Girl Icon Fellowship is an initiative of Milaan Foundation to createa more empowered generation of girls to change the world througheducation.Milaanbelieves intheeffectofamplifiedvoices.TheFellowshipisaleadershipdevelopmentinitiativeforadolescentgirls(12-18years)fromdisadvantaged communities, which equips them with knowledge, skills,courageandconfidencetostand-up,raisetheirvoiceandtakecharge.Thisincludescapacitybuildingworkshops,mentorshipprogramme,socialactiongrant,learninggrantandaccesstothealumninetwork.Theyoungfellowsareencouragedtoundertakesocialactionprojectsthatinvolvesthemidentifyinga collective issue faced by the community, and with the help of Milaan’smentors,strategisingandleadinginitiativestomitigatetheissue.

OneofMilaan’sGirl IconsKhusbhooSingh, fromKajjakpuradistrict,Varanasiactivelyparticipated inacommunityagitationagainstdirtydrinkingwatersupplybythecommunityauthorities.SheinsistedtheGovernmentauthoritiesvisitherhousetoseeforthemselvesthewatercrisisbeingfacedbythecommunity. Khushboo’s journey – from a girl hailing from a conservative community to a buddingcommunityleaderwhocanidentifychallengesandthesolutionstoaddressthem–isanawe-inspiringtestimonytowhatgrassrootsleadershipnurturedwithingirlscanachieveforacommunity.

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Systemic Advocacy for Sustainability The nation-wide Dignity March that united survivors of sexual violence

OurpartnerfromMadhyaPradesh,JanSahastookitsworkwith survivors of sexual violations through a nation-wideDignityMarchwhichcovered200districts,24states,10,000kmin65daysandinvolvedcloseto5,000womenwhotookto the streets with one goal: to end the stigma of sexualviolence.TheMarchofferedoneofthefirstvisibleglimpsesofhowthecollectiveofNGOpartnersfacilitatedbyEdelGiveFoundation through the Influencers,has transcendedbeyond individualorganisationsand isemergingasaunitedvoice.Inthedifferentstatesitvisited,theDignityMarchsawtheresidentpeerNGOsofthecollectivehosttheMarch.AssociationforAdvocacyandLegalInitiatives(AALI)inUttarPradesh,ANANDIand KMVS in Gujarat, Milaan and ITforChange (a Bengaluru-based partner) in Delhi and Shaheen inHyderabadwelcomedtheMarchandengagedinlocaladvocacyintheirnetworksabouttheissue.

TheMarchpetitionedStateGovernments to take cognisanceof the severityof the issueandharnesscommitment on combating it from several dignitaries. TheMinister for Education and SocialWelfareKrishnaNandanPrasadVerma,PatnaandtheDeputyInspectorGeneralofPolicePondicherrywelcomedtheMarchandpromisedtoimplementinitiativestopreventandaddresssexualviolence.MadhyaPradeshChiefMinisterKamalNathpubliclyannouncedthatthestatewillformaspecialpoliceunitandfasttrackcourtsforspeedyjusticeforsurvivorsofsexualviolence.ChiefMinisterofChhatisgarhassuredthattheGovernmentwillwork toensuretimelydeliveryof services (medico-legal andcounselling centres) forsurvivors.TheChiefMinisterofMadhyaPradeshassuredtoreviveaschemeonpreventingcastebasedprostitution,involvingchildren,whileworkingonrehabilitativemechanisms.Anoutcomeofthisadvocacyhas ledtoaMoUbetweenJanSahasandMadhyaPradeshStatepolicedepartment instructingits320policestationsacross19districtstoworkwiththeNGOonsuchcases.

PriorityAreaII:AccesstoLegalJusticeThepartnershaveengaged in legalworkwithsurvivorsofviolenceandhavewalkedwiththemthroughthejourneyoftheircourtproceedingstoensuretheyreceivejusticeasequalcitizens.

• Someofthepartnershavedevelopedacadreofbarefoot lawyers(communitybasedlegalfacilitatorsforaction against violence) to support survivors through their litigation journey. Often, victims of violationhavetoendureprolongedtraumaowingtosocialstigmas,complicatedand lengthy legalprovisions,andinadequatesupportpostthroughthejudicialprocess.Theselawyersarecrucialinthejourneyofjusticeastheyplayadualrole:ensuringlegalaidandawarenessreachesthelastmile,andenablingthebenefitsofthelegaljusticesystemtoreachtheneediestofcommunities.Thepartnershavealsodevelopedasurvivors’ networktobuildsolidarity,extendpsychosocialsupport,andnurturecollectivestrength;facilitatelivelihoodgenerationandrehabilitationsupportinitiatives.Thisisdonetobreakthecycleofvulnerabilityandensuretheyareequippedwiththeresourcesandcapacitytoleadadignifiedlife.

• To facilitate a conducive ecosystem for legal justice to the most marginalised communities, partnerssimultaneouslyworkwiththedutybearerslikepolice,doctors,judges,districtlegalserviceauthorities,onestopcrisescentres,andotherstakeholdersandinstitutions.Thesenotonlyenableeffectiveandinclusivedeliveryofservicestothesurvivorsofviolencebutalsoleadtoasensitiveduty-bearerworkforce.

How a cycle of sensitisation prevented recurrent victimisation of a survivor - A case study from AALI’s work in Lucknow

Association for Advocacy and Legal Initiatives (AALI) is a women-led and women-run organisationcommitted to the protection and advancement of the human rights of women, children and othermarginalised communities through direct intervention, capacity building, research and advocacy. Itofferslegalassistancetosurvivorsofhumanrightsviolationsespeciallywomenandchildren.

Inonesuchcase,achildsexualabusesurvivorhadjoinedaneducationcourseinBengaluru.Hercourseworkmadeitdifficultforhertobepresentforhercourthearing.Inordertohelpher,theAALIteamhadrequestedthecourttoextendthenextdateofhearingtoaccommodatethesurvivor’scourseschedule.Whenthesurvivorattendedthenexthearing,theoppositecounseltriedtopostponethedate.HoweverthroughAALI’sefforts,thecourtgotconvincedandexplainedthelegalproceduretotheoppositecounselandmadethemawarethatincaseofPOCSOcases,courtsneedtobesensitivetowardsthevictimandwitnessesandshouldn’tcallthemregularly.Thecourtsubsequentlycompletedtheevidencerecordingthat day itself�

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Systemic Advocacy for Sustainability Paving the dialogue for community-based rehabilitation for survivors of trafficking

Sanjogisacommunity-basedorganisationintegrallyinvolvedintheprocessofdraftingoftheTraffickingofPersons(Prevention,ProtectionandRehabilitation)Bill2018,tabledintheParliamentlastyear.

Sanjog’sapproachtorehabilitationfocusesonCommunitybasedrehabilitationthatfocusesonbuildingsurvivors resilience through the challenges they face, while providing them with a support system,psychosocial and livelihood resources within the community. This is more sustainable compared toinstitutional rehabilitation, which only serves to further add to their exclusion. Sanjog’s approach isderivedfromitsbodyofworkwithsurvivors.TheinsightsfromsurvivornetworksengineeredbySanjog,whichareasourceofsupportandadvocacytosurvivorswithincommunities,andactasadvocacygroups–havecontributedtothedraftingoftheBill.

WhiletheBillwascertainlyastepforwardtobringjusticetothevictimsofhumantraffickingandhadtenetsthatacknowledgedrehabilitationastheirrightandmechanismsforfaster,equitablejustice;theBillwasnotpassedbytheLokSabha.SanjogandthenetworkofsimilarorganisationswillcontinuetoworktowardsstrengtheningtheBill.

Priority Area III: Grassroots LeadershipTheprocessofsocialandeconomicempowermentisengineered,throughtheeffortsofstronggrassrootsleaders,emerging from the communities. These leaders asmembers of the community are aware of vulnerabilitiesaffectingwomenandgirls, andactasvigilantesagainst incidentsofdiscriminationmobilisingactionagainstthem.Theyfunctionascatalystsofconstructivechangeanddisruptorstobreakthecycleofvulnerability.Thepresenceofgrassrootleadersacrossallinterventionregionsensurestheworkdonetowardssocialandeconomicempowermentisrelevanttotheneedsofwomen;andinstitutionalisestheseeffortswithinthecommunity.

• Inourobservations,thepowerofchangeliesinthehandsofthegrassrootsleader,whoisanempoweredagencyfortheentirecommunity.

• Inaddition to initiating theactionon thefield, the leadershavealsobeenable toholddialogues in thecommunitiesquestioninggendernorms.Theydeveloptheagitationamongthelocalcommunityagainstanyformofviolationoroppressivegendernorm.

• Theprogrammessupportedare focusingoneducatingwomenandgirlsabout their legal rights,politicalparticipation,healthrights,collectivesavings,tofacilitatetheirjourneytowardsbecominginformedcitizens.The knowledge they gain supports and reinforces the leadership abilities of these women, who viewthemselvesasleadersoftheircommunities,whohavetheresponsibilitytowardstheirwelfare.Thisensuressustainabilityoftherights-basedwork,astheselocalleaders,whilelearningtoclaimtheirrights,takethecommunitywhofacessimilarchallenges,along.

• Theworkofpartnersinenablingleadershipoftheindividualsandgroupshaveinvolvedacontinuousefforttoinvestinsupportingleaders.Theyhavebeeninvolvedinsocialmobilisation,networkbuilding,trainings,andprovidingsupporttoinitiatesocialaction.

The Single Women Campaign - A case study from CORO’s work in Maharashtra

Our Maharashtra partner CORO is working towardsestablishingthe identityofsinglewomenandenablingtheirindividualandcollectiveleadership.Theacceptanceof single women at community level has helped inestablishing their identitiesand in reducing thestigmathatwasattachedtobeingsingle�

ThesinglewomennetworkinMarathwadahaseffectivelytakentheleadontheissueofidentityandviolenceforwomenwhoarewidowed,divorced,orhaveseparatedfrom their husbands. The group hasmobilised a largesupportofover15,000singlewomeninMarathwadaregionofMaharashtra.

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Theyparticipatedeffectivelytoresolvesomeoftheissuesrelatedtocommunity.Forexampleasinglewomen’sgroupfromMaharashtraparticipatedinpensionparishadprotestinDelhi.Theyrepresentedthe voices of the elderly population of their region and demanded equal andminimum pension of `3000/-which is`600/- inMaharashtra. Singlewomen leaders likeAshalataPande,AnitaNavle arerepresenting“EkalMahilaShaktiSangathan(Maharashtranetworkofsinglewomen)atnationalforumofsinglewomentodonationalleveladvocacy.

Similarly, the single women network in Marathwada has helped to develop the draft state policyfor singlewomen inMaharashtra. The proposed policy insists that social and economic support beinstitutionalisedforsinglewomen.Fore.g., itsuggeststhatall low-incomesinglewomeninIndiaareassuredofamonthlypension,nolessthanhalfofminimumwage,whichis`3000/monthin2018.Atthetimeofregistrationofmarriage,thewife’snameshouldbeaddedtothedocumentsoflandand/orpropertyownedbythehusbandsothatshecanaccessherrightstopropertyafterhisdemise.

Systemic Advocacy for Sustainability Grassroots leadership and advocacy to drive Government accountability

OurpartnerinGujarat,ANANDIwhichworksfortherightsofwomenfromtribalcommunitiesinGujarat,mobilisesandstrengthensSangathans(collectivesofwomen)astoolsforcommunitydrivenadvocacy.TheSanghatanwomenorganisedameetingwiththeNationalHumanRightsCommissionwheretheysharedtheissueofnon-functionalschemesandprogrammeslikeNREGA,NFSA(NationalFoodSecurityAct),ForestRightsAct,anddelayedproceduresinavailingbenefits.Asaresult,theNHRCanditsStatebodytookuptheissue,andtheNREGArelatedworkstartedwithimmediateeffect.Lettersregardingfoodsecurityandinclusionsgotissuedforthevillagelevelfunctionariestoimplement.

Similarly,around300womenfromthePanamMahilaSangathan,avillagewomen’sleadershipgroup,mobilised by ANANDI in Gujarat, participated in a rally to demand their NREGA rights. Thewomenprotested the delay in job provision and demanded immediate redressal of their grievances.WhatstartedattheTalukaDevelopmentOfficesoonescalatedtotheDistrict level,whenthewomenafterfindingtheresponsetotheirprotestsinadequate,confidentlymarchedtoDistrictRuralDevelopmentAgencies(DRDA)office.TheyrelentedonlyafterreceivinganassuranceletterfromtheDRDADirectorforaninquiryandguaranteeofinitiatingworkwithinthenextweek.

Economic Empowerment

Investing in women’s economic empowerment leads to gender equality, poverty eradication and inclusiveeconomicgrowth.Womenshouldhaveaccesstoresources,whichenablesthemtomakeeconomicdecisions.Thisfurtherenablesgenderinequalityandenhanceshersocialstatusinhercommunity.However,economicindependencealsoneedstoaccountforlegislative,socialandculturalbarriers,inordertobeimpactful.Merelyproviding a means to earn money does not correlate to an empowered woman. The impediments to theeconomicempowermentofwomenincludeaccesstoresourcessuchacapital,landorproperty,skillsgapandinstitutionalexclusion.Thesearebeingaddressed,throughprogrammes,inthefollowingpriorityareas.

PriorityAreaIV:AccesstoRightsandEntitlements

The programmes supported include,makingwomen and girls, and the communities they hail from, awareof their rights; helping themunderstand the benefits that they can avail from the State. This awareness istargetedtowardsbuildingtheircapabilitiestodemandandreceiveaccountabilityfromtheStateactorswhoareresponsibleforservicedelivery.

The programmes equip these women with knowledge of schemes and entitlements. The partners workwithwomenwhoaredeprivedoftheirrightsbymakingthemawareofthedifferentwelfareschemesofthegovernmentfromwhichtheycanbenefit.

The process of enabling access ofwomen to rights and entitlements has also demonstrated an increase inwomenleadership.Thepeopleinthecommunitiesarenowabletonegotiatewiththelocalserviceproviderstoavailtheirentitlements,includingemployment,pension,housing,rationandotherwelfareschemes.

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The triumph of an Adhikar Sakhi and the power of women collectives to effect change - A case study from Ibtada’s work in Alwar, Rajasthan

Ibtada inAlwarRajasthan focusesonwomen’sempowerment throughpromotionof SHGs, clusters/village organisations, federations and women owned producers companies. The organisation alsoworksintheareaofeducationandskilltrainingofgirls,promotingwomenledlivelihoods—agriculture,dairyanimalsandgoatrearing.IttrainswomenofthevillagestobeAdhikar Sakhis (informationandassistanceprovidersonrightsandentitlements).

ThisstoryisofanAdhikarSakhi,Manju,fromChorotipahadavillageinRamgarhblockofAlwardistrict,Rajasthan.Manju amemberof theChorotipahad SHGused to participate regularly in themonthlymeetingsand indifferenttrainingprogrammesunderthewomen’srightsproject.Manju’snamewasforwardedbythevillagerightscommitteeasthesuccessor,whentheexistingAdhikarSakhileft.Manjuagreedandunderwentathree-dayresidentialtrainingonruralgovernancestructures,73rd Amendment ofIndianConstitution,andinformationonstrengtheningGramPanchayat.

As the new Adhikar Sakhi, Manju and SHGmembers went totheGramPanchayat to apply for job cards and to record theirgrievances of not getting the benefit of certain Governmentschemes. They shared their issues with the GovernmentfunctionariesalongwithPRImemberswhowerepresentintheGram Panchayat�

WhenManju and other SHGmembers requested that the Jobcardsforeligiblevillagersbeprepared,thePRImembersinturnrespondedthattheywillifthevillagesupportsthePRIinresolvingthe road connectivity issues of their village. The PRImembershadearlierwrittenapplicationstovariousGovernmentauthoritiesbuthadn’treceivedanyresponse.

Manjuwenttodifferentvillages,metwithvillagersandvillage leaders,preparedapplicationsandanactionplantoshareofficiallywiththeBlockanddistrictoffices.TheRamgarhBlockDevelopmentofficialinwhosejurisdictionChorotiPahadfalls,toldthewomenthatshewillresolvetheissue.Howeverwhentherewasnoprogressdespiteafortnighthavingpassed,thewomenledbyManjudecidedtoparticipateinapublichearingattheDistrictCollector’sOffice.DespitetheCollectorcommittingtolookintotheissue,therecontinuedtobenoprogress.

Seeingnoresolutioninsight,thewomenbegantogrowdemotivated.Manjuthendecidedtocallthe181toll freehelplinenumberprovidedby theChiefMinisterofRajasthan for registeringgrievances;andthewomenregisteredtheircomplaintontheonlineportal.Thestate levelofficials resolvedthematterin20days.Thevillagerswerehappytoseetheroadconstructionmaterialbeingplacedinthevillage.BoththevillagersandtheGramPanchayatmembersstartedpraisingtheSHGmembersfortheircollectiveefforts.

Thisentireefforthasbroughtachangeinthemindsetofvillagers,especiallyManju’sfamily,whowereearliernotverysupportiveofherrole.Today,herhusbandbeamswhiletalkingabouthiswifeintheroleofachangeagentandvillageleader.ThevillagerstooareconfidentaboutraisingsuchissuesintheirmonthlySHG/AdhikarSamitimeeting.

Priority Area V: Economic Independence

Theseprogrammespromoteeconomicindependenceofwomenbysupportingtheirlivelihoodsandenablingfinancialinclusionwhileworkingtowardsreducingwomen’sdependencyonfamilymembers.Theprogrammeservesvulnerablewomen,bybuildingtheircapacitiestoevolveintocredit-worthyindividuals/groups.

• Thescopeofinterventionsarenotonlyrestrictedtoenhancingwomen’saccesstofinancialresourcesbutalsoincludesbuildingtheircapacitiesandconfidencetoleadthedecision-makingonusingtheearnedincome.

• Womenentrepreneursinprogrammesundergotrainingstoenhancetheirlivelihoodgenerationandbusinessdevelopment potential. This includes business trainings forwomenwho aremicro entrepreneurs, valueadditioninputsforimprovedproductivityforwomenfarmers(agri,dairyandfishery)aswellastrainingsinaccessingtheirrightfulentitlements(e.g.,forestrights).

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• Economic independence supplementedby leadership building interventions that equipwomenwith theabilitytonegotiatepowerrelationswithincommunityandfamily.

• Programmes are also aiming to define and re-define identities and re-shape the roles of women – asbreadwinners, as farmers, as business women. Even though women undertake a major chunk of workon their farmlands, lackof landownershipandconvention thatassociates farmingasamaleprofession,inadvertentlyfailstorecognisewomenasfarmers.Asignificantbodyofworkinthispriorityareafocusesonbuildingthisidentitywithincommunities.

• Programmes have also encouraged collectivisation as ameans of sustainability. Assetmanagement anddrudgeryreductionforthesmallandmarginalwomenfarmersisafocusareaofagri-livelihoodprogrammes.

• Inmultiplelocations,womenfarmercollectivessupportedbythelargercommunityhavediversifiedtheiragriculturaloperationsand inonecasehaseven institutionalised intoanAgricultureProducerCompany.Thecollectiveinvestsinassets,managesthemwiththeminimumrentalorservicechargefromtheusers,actingasasourceofthecollective’sincome.Jointworkingalsoleadstoareductioninoperationalcostsandimprovesbargainingpowerofthecollectiveatthetimeofsales.

Jarinaben’s organic farming success story - A case study from ANANDI’s work in Gujarat

ANANDI, a feminist organisation, has been working with ruralwomeninGujarat,withastrongemphasisoncollectiveprocessesandarights-basedframework.ItsprogrammeEmpowering women farmers to realise food and livelihood security with dignity aims to buildawarenessofwomentowardsaccessinggovernmentschemesandalsotrainingofwomeninsustainablefarmingpractices,fishingand animal husbandry. Jarinaben’s is a story of how this workhas not only improved her livelihood but set a precedent in hercommunitybeingemulatedbyherfellowwomenvillagers.

JarinabenHabibbhaiMer ofMalakhada inMalia has been doingorganicfarminginher2.5bighalandforpastthreeyears.Shehasbeen reaping multiple crops like pearl millet, moong, cotton inmonsoonandwheatinwinter.Forthefirsttime,shecultivatedjeera(cuminseeds)in1bighalandusingorganicmanure,bio-pesticidesandsourbuttermilktogetridofflies.Shetookgoodcareofitandthecropgrewverywell.Othervillagewomenfarmerscametoseethestandingcropandadditionally,theby-passerstoostoppedbytoseehergreenfarm.Outofthe1bigha,shehadayieldof220kgcuminseeds.Shecalculatedherinputcost,andsinceitwasorganic,itcameuptoonly`3000/-perbigha.Shesoldheryieldat`30,000/-,thussheearnedaprofitof`27,000/-inoneseasonfromthecultivation.Thishasmadeherconvictionstrongerforpracticingorganicfarmingandsubsequentlyshemobilised11womenfarmerstomakeafarmers’group�

AllmembersarenowpracticingorganicfarmingandreaptherightfulbenefitsunderPGS–ParticipatoryGuarantee Scheme�

Systemic Advocacy for Sustainability Making banking inclusive

TheReserveBankofIndiahasexpandedthelimitofunsecuredloanstowomenfrom 30,000to 40,000,ensuringwomenwhowereavailingloansforstartingtheirmicro-businessescannowavailmorecapital.ThisstephasbeenmadepossiblethroughtheeffortsofMannDeshi,anorganisationworkingtoincludewomenintomainstreamfinancialsector.

Thismovegavean immenseboosttoruralwomen’sentrepreneurshipandlivelihoodsandsetanewprecedentinthemicrofinancesector.

Aswomen’sbusinesseshavegrown,sohavetheirambitionstotaketheirbusiness tothenext level. Tothiseffect,theRBI’sdirectiveexpandingthecreditlimitisasignificantstepforward.

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The Journey AheadThepastyearhasbeensignificantfortheInfluencersasithaswitnessedtheconvergenceoftwodifferentsetsofleadersandsectorswhorarelyengageintensivelytowardsacommonmission.EdelGiveFoundationremainscommittedtoworkwith the InfluencersandthecollectiveofNGOpartners tosupportcredibleworkat thegrassrootsbenefittingwomenandgirlstoaccessandenjoytheirrights.

Our promise to you, The Influencers: we will continue to be committed to inform and involve you in theprogrammesfacilitatedatthegrassroots,throughmonthlyglimpsesintothestoriesofchangeenabled;andbyfacilitatingopportunitiesofengagementlikefieldvisitsforexposureandexperience.

OurpromisetothecollectiveofNGOpartners:ourconvictionandprideintheworkyoudowillalsodriveustomovemountainstoensureitcontinuesseamlessly,ensuringeverywomanandgirlreachedknows,accessesandenjoysherrightsasanequalandrespectedcitizenofthiscountry.

Annexure I: The Influencers

1. AnjuGupta,AssistantDirectorGeneral(ADG)ofPolice,UPPoliceForce

2. AnitaGeorge,ExecutiveVice-President,CDPQIndia

3. ArathiShetty,Non-ExecutiveDirector,AllcargoLogistics

4. ArchanaChandraandAmitChandra,A.T.EChandraFoundation

5. BalaDespande,ManagingDirector,MegaDeltaCapitalAdvisors

6. NanditaDas,Actor,Director

7. NiranjanRajadhyaksha,ResearchDirectorandSeniorFellow,IDFCInstitute

8. SamirPatil,FounderandCEO,Scroll.in

9. ShalniArora,FounderandCEO,SavannahWisdom

10. ShreevarKheruka,ManagingDirector,BorosilGlassworksPvt.Ltd.

11. SvatiChakravartyBhatkalandSatyajitBhatkal,Founders,PaaniFoundation

12. SushmitaandAshishKacholia,LuckySecurities

13. VidyaShah,ChiefExecutiveOfficer,EdelGiveFoundation

14. VrindaRajgarhia,Director,PrasadAgents

15. ZiaMody,FounderandSeniorPartner,AZB&Partners

16. TeamSankalp(joinedinApril2019)

Annexure II: The Collective of NGO Partners Working for Women Empowerment

KutchMahila VikasSangathan(KMVS)

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Annexure III: The Influencer Bulletin

JANUARY 2019

FEBRUARY 2019

MARCH 2019

AUGUST 2018

SEPTEMBER 2018

OCTOBER 2018

NOVEMBER 2018

DECEMBER 2018

15#WEinfluencers

26th - 27th July,2019

Field VisitAlwar,Rajasthan

20th - 21st December,2019

Field VisitWestBengal/Maharashtra

25th April,2019

At the Same Table (ATST)Bangalore

20th June,2019

At the Same Table (ATST)Mumbai

13th - 15th November,2019

EDGE Mumbai

January,2020

AttheSameTable(ATST)Pune/Mumbai

ENGAGEMENT PLAN

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EdelGiveFoundationEdelweissHouse,Kalina,Mumbai400098

theinfluencers@edelweissfin.com

www.edelgive.org

+919136925863