Empowering Women and Children in Rural Governance

Presented by : Aziz Ahmed Consultant, NIRD&PR

CONTENTS Legal & Policy framework Key Features of Women friendly & Child friendly Village Features of Bal Sabha Features of Mahila Sabha Functions of Mahila Sabha Local Goals and Targets Steps involved in Mahila sabha Roles of Panchayat Way Forward

Women Related Legal Framework The Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956 The Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 The Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986 The Commission of Sati (Prevention) Act, 1987 The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition And Redressal) Act, 2013

Child Related Legislation & Schemes The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 Mission Vatsalya, PM CARES for Children Scheme Saksham Anganwadi Poshan 2.0

Key Features of women & child friendly villages Women & Children of the GP as a whole feel happy, healthy and secured Women & Children are aware of elected members of Gram Panchayat and Elected Members and functionaries of the GP are aware of problems and challenges faced by the women & children PRI has notified Child Welfare, Care & Protection and Women s welfare and protection as subjects of their Committees Bal Sabha, Mahila Sabha are held and ensures active participation of Women & children in Gram Panchayat Development Plan preparation, and village level decision making. The GP has addressed problems like malnourishment, incomplete immunization, school dropout, discrimination against girl child, and child marriage GP employees are sensitive, responsible and accountable towards the interests of the women & children

Bal Panchayat Sabha Organise Bal Panchayat Sabha in the Village to identify problems faced by children in the GP Participants will include all children of the GP (especially 10-18 years old children) GP Members and GP Secretary Invitees -Teachers, Members of the Village Child Protection Committee, School Management Committee, beneficiaries of Poshan Abhiyan, ICDS representative, representative of the Education department, Anganwadi worker, Asha, ANM, Parents of the children, Police personnel of the nearest police station etc. The Bal Panchayat to record the recommendations and submit proceedings to the GP for needful action. Hold special campaigns and awareness drives on child rights, child protection and Child Participation

Mahila Sabha is generally termed to be a GP/village level meeting/forum for all women Gram Sabha members of the GP. To provide an organised meeting platform/forum for women where they could collectivise, identify, discuss, prioritise and present their problems to the Gram Sabha and Gram Panchayat for taking suitable actions. To create an enabling environment for women where women could recognize their rights and participate actively in local governance processes. To provide equal opportunity to all women of the GP including SC, ST, minority, differently abled and women from other marginalized sections to participate meaningfully in local planning and decision-making process

WOMEN CHILD Safe public spaces-street lights and proper internal roads, drains and pathways Anganwadi water/sanitation etc infrastructure needs- Identify school dropouts and bring them back to school Cr che Facility for working mothers School Infrastructure needs Playgrounds and public garden Plan for Children in Need of Care & Protection orphan/abandoned/street situation/surrendered/disabled Convergence activities -career counselling, skill training, interns in industrial units, Sports clubs, sports talent search camps, Library and book club Health & Nutrition education to create individual health care plan for each anemic woman Mission Shakti for Alternate Grievance Redressal Mechanism to resolve petty cases of harassment/subversion/curtailment of rights/entitlements Digital Literacy camp, Financial Literacy camps & Cyber safety awareness

Gram Panchayat Women SHGs Convergence Mobilize the poor households under SHGs and Village Organizations (VOs). Mobilize SHGs for ensuring participation in the Mahila Sabhas preceding Gram Sabha. Use the SHGs and their federations to strengthen participation in Gram Sabha. Conduct regular meetings with SHGs to discuss their problems and relevant other issues Use the SHGs and their federations actively in GPDP process Integration of VPRPs Mobilization of Women

Venue Notice Invitees Inclusive participation Facilitation and seating arrangements Management of Mahila Sabha proceedings Proceedings of the Mahila Sabha

Welcome address and objectives of Mahila Sabha to be narrated by the GP President Discussion on each agenda one by one Issues raised by women to be discussed/resolved by the line department officials and the GP Discussion on the upcoming GPDP: Major works need to be included in the GPDP related to women and child development including budget no-cost and low- cost activities Closing remarks by the GP President

Two to Three times in a year.

Discussion points and decisions taken in Mahila Sabha shall be recorded as formal proceedings and shall be placed in the next General Body Meeting of the GP for suitable actions. The GP shall also place these proceedings in Gram Sabha for discussion and approval. The decisions taken in the Mahila Sabha shall be forwarded to related Standing Committees of the GP and concerned line departments for taking suitable actions. The GP shall prioritize activities suggested by Mahila Sabha, make suitable budgetary provisions, and incorporate those activities into the GPDP being prepared. Members of the Mahila Sabha, especially women SHG members should collectively raise the issues and decisions taken during Mahila Sabhas in the Gram Sabha also to ensure follow-up measures.

Ensure Mahila Sabhas are conducted in GP Encourage participation of women in Gram sabha Create awareness and provide better health care facilities to women and girl child Ensure equal access implementation of all development programmes Ensure safe and secured environment Ensure quality nutritious food to pregnant and Girl Child to women in the

Ensure that girls complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary school Enroll Poor women in SHGs and create opportunities for economic development activities. Earmark adequate funds in the budget for women development Ensuring equal wages for equal work Low Cost No Cost Activities Free Health camp Organize awareness camp on different issues of women and child development Awareness camp on legal provision for women etc.

Issuance of Govt order/ Circular Coordination Issuance of Supplementary GPDP Guideline Orientation and Capacity Building Overall Guidance and Oversight Sharing Learning's and Best Practices

District-level Orientation Programme with line department officials concerned and GPs on organizing Mahila Sabhas Overall guidance and support to GPs for conduct of Mahila Sabha Monitoring and periodic review of progress

Taking pledge at Gram sabha GP level mobilization programme Selection / Nomination Conduct entry point activities Mobilization of Women SHGs Intensive Campaign Discussion of the decision taken in Mahila sabhas Progress updates to District and Block Authorities.

. Issue Government order/circular for conduct of Bal-Balika Sabha and formation of Bal Balika Panchayat with the Gram Sabha and GPDP cycle, if not done so far Hold Mahila Sabha, and Bal Panchayat Sabha before the Gram Sabha so that their points are part of the Gram Sabha agenda Inclusion of the theme- Women Friendly & Child Friendly Panchayat as an integral part of the State PRI capacity building programme (Module) by SIRDs. Planning & Budgeting for Women Friendly Panchayat

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